Holy Trinity Weekly

This Lord's Day will be the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost.

The Christian Almanac records that Oswald was only eleven-years-old when he fled from his home after his father, the king of Northumbria was killed by his enemies in 624 A.D. Taking refuge in a monastary on the island of Iona, he was converted and joined the order of St. Columba's monks. Nine years later he was recalled to Northumbria when his older brother perished in battle. While Oswald laid aside his
monk's cowl, he brought back with him the Christian faith. Soon thereafter, Oswald found himself up against an enormous pagan army. Vastly outnumbered, Oswald erected a cross the night before the battle and called upon his men to kneel down and pray to "the almighty and only true God that He will mercifully defend us from our enemy". The following day, August 4, 634 A.D., against monumental odds, the 21 year-old king led his forces to a stunning victory. As a result of the victory and the faith of their king, many soldiers converted to the faith and soon, through the efforts of further missionary work, churches began springing up throughout Northumbria. While Oswald died in another battle only eight years later, his
faithfulness and piety will long be remembered. And as he died in defense of a Christian people at the hands of pagans, he is remembered with thankfulness as a valiant Christian martyr.

As the birth of Felicity detained me last Sunday, the sermon text for this Sunday will be Mark 6. Thanks very much to Craig Beaton for stepping up in my absence. The lessons for the day will be Jeremiah 23:1-6, Eph. 2:13-22, and Mark 6:30-34. I would encourage you to take opportunities this week and with your families to consider these passages as you prepare for worship on Sunday.