Thanksgiving 2026

Dear Family and Friends of St George’s

The maple leaves and the pumpkin fields are turning orange, and the orange monarchs are heading to their favourite wintering mountain in Mexico. It amazes me. Each creature, from plants to insects to the great whales plying the depths of the oceans—each one in its own way follows a pattern, a way of life, engraved in its very DNA.

I watched a monarch this summer choosing a milkweed plant to lay her egg. Did you know that they lay only one egg per plant? The mother drums the plant with her feet, which causes the plant to release plant juices. The juices carry a chemical saying an egg has already been laid. If the plant already has an egg, she moves on to another. All this to ensure that each caterpillar has the maximum food supply possible. When you see a monarch flitting from plant to plant, honour her for the choices she must make.

As we gather to celebrate the bounty and wonder of our world this Thanksgiving Sunday, we pause to give thanks to God for the many ways that the creation in which we live astounds us. The more we notice what is around us, the more we are grateful that God has placed us here in the midst of such an amazing world.

Jesus talked about the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field . . . will God not much more clothe you?” (Matt 6:30).

Jesus spoke to encourage his disciples and his listeners, letting them know that God is here for each moment of every day. When we sing our Thanksgiving hymns and offer our prayers of Thanksgiving on October 11, let us lift our hearts in joy that God has given us such a wonderful world in which to live.

Come, let us celebrate together this Sunday. In joyful thanksgiving,

Services

Services each Sunday at St. George’s begin at 10:30 a.m., and online anytime on our YouTube channel @haliburtonanglican [or here on the website—Ed.].

Donations

Donations are always welcome; there are several ways to do so. Cheques placed on the offering plate; e-transfer to the church office (office@haliburtonanglican.ca), or by going to our church website (here at www.haliburtonanglican.org) and clicking the “DONATE” button atop the site.
Many of our members find it convenient to use Pre-Authorized Payments for their donations, spreading their gifts out evenly throughout the year. All donations will receive a receipt for income tax purposes, unless it is an anonymous donation.

'Pressing Toward the Goal' — Sunday service for Oct. 4

Please join with the Anglican Parish of Haliburton in-person or on-line at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, or on-line anytime afterwards. We look forward to your presence!

The Teaching of Adversity

From ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ by Oswald Chambers

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”  [John 16:33]

The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something quite different.

“Whoever dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling….” [Psalm 91:1, 10]

If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come.

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” In other words, “There is nothing for you to fear.” The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint. God does not give us overcoming life, He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength.

Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment: “To the person who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life….” [Rev. 2:7 ]

If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you gain more strength.

God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can ‘be of good cheer’ even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.

'Have This Mind' — Sunday service for Sept. 27

Please join with the Anglican Parish of Haliburton in-person or on-line at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, or on-line anytime afterwards. We look forward to your presence!

'Workers in the vineyard' — Sunday service for Sept. 20

Please join with the Anglican Parish of Haliburton in-person or on-line at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, or on-line anytime afterwards. We look forward to your presence!