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St. Cuthbert Anglican Church | "Growing, Knowing & Sharing God's Love" | |
St. Cuthbert's, here is your weekly focus on things that are
happening in the parish. Read and stay connected.
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When God Enacts Our Words Exactly
These past weeks, I have been reading the book of Joshua, and something struck me – God enacted Joshua’s words verbatim. This comes from the narrative of Joshua 6, which is etched into Biblical history as a masterclass in divine strategy and absolute obedience. We get to this story after having seen Israel's march around Jericho, the blowing of ram's horns, and the dramatic collapse of impenetrable stone walls, showcasing God’s power to deliver the impossible. Yet, the chapter's profound climax extends far beyond the falling masonry. It concludes with a solemn, prophetic decree from Joshua—a spoken word that God would enact with startling precision generations later.
The Weight of a Spoken Oath
Immediately following the victory at Jericho, Joshua issues a curse over the ruined city:
“Cursed before the Lord be anyone who tries to build this city, Jericho! At the cost of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest he shall set up its gates!” (Joshua 6:26)
This was not a casual outburst of emotion, but a solemn, declarative oath spoken under the authority of God. Joshua was establishing a permanent memorial of divine judgment. Jericho represented the headwaters of Canaanite resistance and idolatry; it was to remain an eternal monument to the destructive nature of rebellion against God and the totality of His victory.
To rebuild Jericho was to defy the decree of the Almighty. By invoking God’s name, Joshua tied the future of any rebuilder directly to divine justice. The verse closes with a striking confirmation: "So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land." God backed His servant's words completely, establishing the gravity of prophetic utterance spoken in alignment with God's will.
The Long-Range Execution of the Word
What makes Joshua's declaration truly remarkable is how meticulously it was fulfilled centuries later. Words spoken in faith and under divine inspiration do not expire with the generation that utters them.
During the reign of King Ahab—hundreds of years after Joshua's lifetime—a man named Hiel of Bethel decided to rebuild Jericho. The historical record in 1 Kings 16:34 captures the chilling exactness of the fulfillment:
“In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.”
Hiel’s ambition collided directly with divine law. As he laid the first stones, his oldest son died. As he finished hanging the gates, his youngest son perished. The prophecy was fulfilled down to the letter, demonstrating a sobering spiritual truth: when a person speaks in harmony with God's ultimate purposes, the LORD ensures that every syllable finds its mark.
Lessons in Authority and Sovereignty
Joshua 6 teaches us about the immense weight of our words when aligned with divine mandates. While believers today are not issuing geopolitical curses over ancient cities, the principle remains: God honours God’s word and the proclamations of God’s faithful servants.
Furthermore, this narrative highlights the absolute sovereignty of God over time and history. Centuries passed between the initial curse and its execution, yet the LORD never forgot. Human forgetfulness does not nullify divine resolve.
Ultimately, Joshua 6:26-27 points to God's reliability. Just as the walls of Jericho fell exactly as God promised, and just as Joshua's curse came to pass with unsparing precision, every promise of God—whether of judgment or of grace—stands unshakable. When the LORD enacts your words, they carry the eternal weight of heaven itself – so believers in Christ, mind your words on others, as they carry a potential to bless and curse.
Rev. Monte
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Being a Young Leader
As the summer day camp has begun, many of our parish teens have volunteered to become "camp counsellors" for our campers.
This role entails many different jobs such as teaching bible lessons, aiding with craft creations and providing overall encouragement to the younger children.
We hope this will be another opportunity for them to grow in their confidence and self-accountability, both very important skills that they can carry over into their daily lives.
As we think of them this week, here are three ways that we can uplift our teens:
Prayer: Ask the lord to give them courage, wisdom, and a spirit of service.
Affirmations: A small compliment can go a long way!
Model the way: As a fellow parishioner, parent or grandparent, let them see you lead with kindness, honesty, and patience.
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A Preview of Upcoming Events...
- August 23rd: Youth Sunday
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August 27-31st: The DYM Artaban Retreat. Follow this link to sign up! Bursaries are available.
- A family-youth outing to the beach. Location and date TBD.
For more information reach out: Youthleader@stcuthbert.ca
— Rainoa Lonogan
| Children's Ministries Focus | This group is having so much fun this year, join us this Sunday for more highlights on this year's Day Camp. | My First Day @ Camp Photo | Climbers' Group Class Session | Meet the Camp Referees asking, "Where is our VAR equipment?" | That Mac & Cheese is not going to be enough!😋😋😋 | Camp Counsellors chillin' |
Summer Bible Camp Is Underway!
Our 2026 Summer Bible Camp began on Monday, and what an incredible journey it has been so far! As we reach Day 3, we are filled with gratitude to God for His faithfulness and the joy He has brought to our camp.
Each day has been filled with laughter, learning, worship, and meaningful moments. Through engaging Bible stories, prayer, songs, games, crafts, and hands-on activities, our campers have been learning more about God's love while growing in their faith. Along the way, we've encouraged the children to pray with confidence, work together as a team, build lasting friendships, and discover that God has uniquely gifted each one of them.
One of the greatest blessings has been watching the children grow before our eyes. We've seen shy campers become more confident, new friendships blossom, and children encourage and support one another with kindness and joy. These are the moments that remind us that God is at work in every child's heart.
As we prepare for Day 4 and look ahead to our final day on Friday, there's a bittersweet feeling that the week has gone by so quickly. They say, "Time flies when you're having fun," and that has certainly been true! While camp will soon come to a close, we know that what God has begun in the hearts of these children does not end when the week is over. Our prayer is that the friendships formed, the lessons learned, and the seeds of faith planted throughout this camp will continue to grow and bear fruit long after the final day.
This camp would not have been possible without our incredible volunteers, who have generously given their time, energy, talents, and hearts to serve our children. We deeply appreciate their commitment and sacrificial service.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our parents, grandparents, and guardians for partnering with the Children and Family Ministry Department and for entrusting your precious children to our care. It has been a privilege to walk alongside your families this week, and we are grateful for your trust and support.
Join us this Sunday at St Cuthbert during the 10 a.m. service as we celebrate an incredible week at Summer Bible Camp! Our campers will be taking over service with he assistance of the Church workers and present a special "Powered Together" Parade, and we'll share highlights and memorable moments from the week as we give thanks to God for all He has done. We would love for you to celebrate with us!
Please continue to keep our campers, volunteers, and leaders in your prayers as we look forward to finishing the week strong and celebrating all that God has done.
To God be all the glory!
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Summer Children's Ministry
This year, we are excited to introduce a Summer Children's Ministry Program - Children Chapel during the Sunday service.
We recognize that the summer months can present unique challenges for families, particularly when Church School is not in session. Our goal is to continue supporting children and parents throughout the summer by providing an engaging, age-appropriate ministry experience for children.
Children from ages 4–12 will have opportunities to participate in activities and discussions tailored to their age groups while remaining connected to the life of the Church. Through Bible stories, discussion, prayer, worship, and age-appropriate teaching, children will explore the same themes and messages being shared during the service, allowing families to continue meaningful faith conversations together at home.
At the same time, parents and caregivers will be able to participate more fully in worship, knowing their children are being cared for and nurtured in a safe and welcoming environment.
Our Nursery Ministry will continue to operate throughout the summer for our youngest parishioners.
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A Call for Volunteers
As we look ahead to the 2026/2027 Church School year, we are prayerfully seeking additional volunteers to join our Children's Ministry team.
One of the greatest gifts we can offer our children is the gift of faith. Whether you have experience teaching, assisting with crafts, helping with administration, supporting special events, or simply building relationships with children, there is a place for you in this Ministry.
You do not need to be a theologian or an experienced teacher to make a difference. Sometimes the most impactful ministry comes through a caring presence, a listening ear, and a willingness to walk alongside our children as they grow in their faith.
If you have ever considered becoming involved in Children's Ministry, we encourage you to prayerfully explore this opportunity. By volunteering, you will help create a welcoming environment where children can encounter God's love, ask questions, develop friendships, and grow into the leaders God is calling them to be.
If you would like to learn more or are interested in serving during the 2026/2027 ministry year, please contact, Director of Children's Formation. This is not a rush decision, but we will appreciate if we can get responses to enable us plan and be well positioned for the next year.
Together, let us continue building a strong foundation of faith for the next generation.
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Confirmation
St. Cuthbert Anglican Church is pleased to announce that we are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation scheduled for December 2026.
Confirmation is an important step in the Christian journey, where individuals publicly affirm their faith, deepen their relationship with God, and strengthen their commitment to life within the Church community.
We are currently seeking children and youth who may be interested in preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation classes will provide opportunities for participants to:
- grow in their understanding of the Christian faith,
- learn more deeply about the Anglican tradition and sacraments,
- ask questions and explore their faith,
- and develop spiritually within a supportive church community.
Parents and guardians who are interested in having their child participate are encouraged to express interest or reach out for additional information regarding eligibility, class schedules, and preparation timelines.
We look forward to walking alongside our children and youth as they continue growing in faith, leadership, and discipleship.
For additional information or to register interest, please contact the Children’s Ministry Team or speak with church leadership.
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Sunday School and Nursery
At St. Cuthbert Anglican Church, we are passionate about nurturing children and youth in faith and creating a welcoming environment for families to grow spiritually together.
We are blessed to have ongoing children and youth formation opportunities within the parish, including:
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The Sunday School is closed for the summer, however, we have the Children's Chapel open for Children between 4-12 years (Kindly refer to Summer Children's Ministry for more information).
- A functioning nursery available during services, providing parents with a safe, caring, and supportive space for younger children while families participate in worship with peace of mind.
Our desire is to continue building a strong, vibrant, and Christ-centered children’s ministry where every child feels welcomed, supported, encouraged, and connected within the life of the Church.
We warmly welcome families to participate and grow alongside us in faith and community.
Obie,
Director Children Formation
For more information, contact: obiea@stcuthbert.ca
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There is no Thursday service
on July 30 due to Children's Day Camp
taking over all the halls and sanctuary.
| | Committees & Ministries Spotlight Months Focus | |
August
Worship, Outreach & Welfare Committee
WOW
| | Committees & Ministries Focus | |
...........Bereavement & Resilience Group meets twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays. This ministry is still downloading. We have not yet set the start date. We will let you know as soon as we have set the date. | | Thanks to Fraser Health, Barb Steele asked for more material from the immensely popular session on My Greensleeve and we got these extra material. If you need some for yourself please get in touch with Rev. Monte (revmonte@stcuthbert.ca). | | |
Our AuraCast System Is Up & Running!
Let's use it!
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It has been a week now since, Jinx finished connecting and making live "St. Cuthbert Auracast 1" system. We have the following four ways to get connected whenever we come into the sanctuary for a service:
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Those with AuraCast enabled hearing aids that has an app on their phone, you can now connect directly after finding "St. Cuthbert Auracast 1" system.
- For others with old-fashioned hearing aids, you can connect using a loop connected to any one of these connection units - we have four units and only two neck loops.
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For those without hearing aids, you can connect to "St. Cuthbert Auracast 1" using any of these four connection units plus a headphone - we have four headphones.
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Alternatively you can order your own Auracast-enabled headphones that can connect directly to "St. Cuthbert Auracast 1" You can get these headphones off Amazon which you can get by clicking here Venucast Aria Aura - Auracast Headset. These are only $139
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We only have 4 connection units, and these will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. We plan to get more units as demand dictates. Our advice is that it would be more hygienic if people bring their own headphones with jacks to use with the four connection units. PLEASE make sure you return the connection units after use. The connection units live at the back of the church by the entrance. Ask a member of the AV team for one when you need to use one in the sanctuary.
We are really grateful to Jinx, for getting this connected up and running.
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Getting Ready Survey
As we need to know more from those who are going to use this system we would like to know the needs of those who will be using it. Please let us know by downloading and then filling in this: Listening Needs Survey
Please place the filled-out survey in the pocket sleeve by Rev. Monte's office.
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Getting Connected Guides
Below, please click the link to get instructions on how to connect to our AuraCast System with your own brand of hearing aids:
- Jabra Hearing Aids
- Octicon Hearing Aids
- Philips Hearing Aids
- Starkey Hearing Aids
If you are encountering challenges with your app for connecting to AuraCast, please also get in touch with your service provider for remedial tips. In the meantime, we also have scheduled a Hearing Aid Specialist from "Hearing Life" to come in late September during Senior Formations time, and give a talk to us on different hearing aids and how they can be used with our system.
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Digital Sign Update
We await the City's response to our digital sign permit application.
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Our Mission Statement
“To seek and encourage growth as a Christ–Centred community, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to know God and to make God known
in word and deed.”
| | Community ~ Connection ~ Communication ~ Continuity ~ Compassion | | | | |
