THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
April 21, 2024
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTION.
ALL HOLY TRINITY, GLORY TO THEE!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
GETTING READY FOR SUNDAY: PREVIEW OF THE READINGS
The Gospel readings for these last three Sundays of Easter season all come from the 16th Chapter of John’s Gospel, the co-called Farewell Discourse, where Jesus is preparing His disciples for death on the Cross, and the anguish to come. But this anguish and sadness will be transformed into joy. This is the promise and the joy faith in Christ’s resurrection. It sees beyond circumstances, and what is natural and inevitable. In place of resignation (“ it is what it is”), there is joy, and the hope and love that brings new things to birth.
In our Epistle lesson, St. Peter describes the moral and spiritual transformation Resurrection works in the lives of those who believe. They abstain from the “passions of the flesh” ( ie. gluttony, lust, avarice, anger, dejection, listlessness, pride etc.) and use their freedom to serve the common good.
THE LESSON: 1 Peter 2:11-17
Beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 16:16-24
‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.’ Then some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean by saying to us, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”; and “Because I am going to the Father”?’ They said, ‘What does he mean by this “a little while”? We do not know what he is talking about.’ Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, ‘Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”? Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
PARISH LIFE NOTES AND REMINDERS
FUNERAL SERVICE for Art Persson takes place on Saturday, April 20 at 4.30 p.m.
ICE- CREAM SUNDAY treats will be served during coffee after worship on Sunday.
COMMUNITY KITCHEN meets Monday April 22nd @ 10 am. to cook and have lunch together. Please contact Grace if you wish to participate. All are welcome.
ABORIGINAL/ NON ABORIGINAL POT LUCK AND SHARING CIRCLE takes place this Wednesday April 24 @ 5.30 p.m. in the Upper Hall.
VESTRY meeting takes place next Sunday after service in the Lower Hall.
UNIVERSITY OF REGINA RESEARCH ETHICS BOARD is conducting a study about volunteerism in our community and what influences volunteer re-engagement with non-profit organizations, and is asking if parishioners at St. Mary’s would fill out a brief questionnaire, which you can access at: https://uregina.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Zq8XtmOjT6Ih0O
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer:
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:30 a.m.
- Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
Evening Prayer:
- Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.