St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Second Sunday after Easter, April 18, 2021 Canon Claude Schroeder
Lectionary: Acts 3. 12-19, 1 John 3. 1-7, Luke 24. 36-48
Audio recording of sermon.
Today we are continuing our celebration of Easter, which is a 50-day celebration, leading up to the Feast of Pentecost and the celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
It’s clear from the Gospels that when Jesus appears to the apostles to manifest His resurrection, the initial reaction in each case was not one of faith, but rather of fear, of doubt, and un-belief. There is something comforting in this, because ever since the apostles went to bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a common and predictable response has been fear, doubt, and unbelief!
Godly Play for children 3-6 years via zoom at 1:30 pm. Today’s story is ‘Jesus is Risen: The Road to Emmaus’ Luke 24:28-35.
FAITHQUEST (for children 7-13 via zoom). Start the THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON rotation with Pray Per View (movie and discussion) Leader: Len. Memory Verse: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Ps. 95:6, 7
PARISH LIFE NOTES
“IN PERSON” SUNDAY WORSHIP. Please register below ahead of time if you desire to attend the Sunday service at St. Mary’s, and observe public health protocols. Today’s service and sermon will be live-streamed (audio) during the service. Recorded audio will be posted to the same page on the parish website following worship today.
LET US WELCOME THE NEWLY BAPTIZED! In a service of Holy Baptism and Laying on of Hands with Prayer on Holy Saturday we celebrated the Baptism of Derek, where he was born a-new by water and the Spirit, made a child of God by adoption, a member of Christ’s Church, and an heir of His everlasting kingdom.We give glory and thanks to God for this His gracious work in our midst!
QU’APPELLE HOUSE CRAFT SALE. Qu’Appelle House Auxiliary and staff are collecting items for a craft sale for the residents and we are looking for donations. Please contact Judy, Brenda or Lynda for more information and to have your items picked up. (We will arrange a single drop-off at Qu’Appelle House to minimize contact.) Deadline is April 28. Thank you in advance. All proceeds go to Qu’Appelle House Auxiliary to help fund special events for residents, like bi monthly birthday parties, a summer picnic, a tart tea, a strawberry social, Christmas stockings, etc.
All crafts welcome, but if you’re stumped, things that go over really well are jewelry (best seller), walker bags, any sort of decor for the residents’ rooms, notepads, cards, bookmarks, artwork, summer hats, etc. If anyone isn’t particularly crafty but wants to purchase word find books, they go over really well too. We aren’t accepting homemade food right now due to the covid 19 pandemic.
MEND WITH CARE. Any clothing in need of repair? We are a small group of menders offering to do some basic or creative mending for all your worn wear! All proceeds will go directly to the Refugee Fund. We welcome ripped seams, unraveled knitwear, holes to patch, wool to darn, loose or missing buttons. Please contact Clara at mendwithcare@gmail.com
HAND-DIPPED BEESWAX CANDLES from St. Mary’s may be purchased for $5.00 a pair by contacting Yvonne in the parish office. Phone: 306 522-6052, email: stmarysanglican@sasktel.net Parishioners can pick up their candles from the newly installed mailbox at the Montague St. entrance, and leave a cheque in the proper amount. Proceeds to Refugee Fund.
THIS BLESSED EASTERTIDE! The season of Easter which began last Sunday continues for 50 days until the Feast of Pentecost. Join us week days at 8.30 a.m. for Morning Prayer and 5.30 p.m. for Evening Prayer.
Crosses Planted in St. Mary’s Garden on Good Friday Photo: Gene Packwood
“Now the green blade rises from the buried grain, Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain. Love lives again, that with the dead has been Love is come again like wheat arising green.”
WELCOMING OF THE NEWLY BAPTIZED. Today we welcome into the fellowship and Communion of Christ’s Holy Catholic Church, Derek, who was baptized last night and received the laying on of hands with prayer from Bishop Rob.
(Modified 2021-04-04: Added audio recording of sermon.)
St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Easter Sunday, April4, 2021 Revd. Canon Claude Schroeder
Sermon audio
It was 8.30 in the morning on April 16, 1927 that a police officer and his wife welcomed their third and youngest child, a boy, into the world in their home at 11 Schulstasse, in the tiny village of Marktl-an -Inn, in Bavaria, Germany. The police officer’s name was Joseph and his wife’s name was Maria, or Mary, and they named their son, Joseph Aloisius.
April 16, 1927 was a Saturday morning, but not just any Saturday. It was Holy Saturday, the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, the day after the Son of God was tortured and executed on a Cross, when His Body lay buried in the tomb.
That same day, Joseph and Maria brought their son to the church to be baptized at the Easter Vigil ceremonies, a providential connection in that as he was born at 8.30 in the morning, and at that time the anticipated liturgy was also celebrated in the morning. Having emerged from the womb of his mother, to be born in the flesh, he would emerge almost immediately from the womb of the Church to be born anew by ‘water and the spirit’, through the waters of baptism. As a result, the first full day of Joseph’s life, both on earth and in the Church…was Easter.
Small wonder that Joseph Aloisius would one day become Pope Benedict XVI.
(Modified 2021-04-02: Added recordings of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday service.)
“Spy Wednesday” is one of the traditional titles given to this day at the centre of Holy Week. This was the day Judas met with members of the Sanhedrin in order to betray Jesus to them in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. As the Gospel tells us, “From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.” (Matthew 24.16)
For a second year in a row, circumstances have conspired to prevent and constrict us from gathering together as a parish family to celebrate the mystery of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are properly understood as one church service that stretches over three days, and stands at the heart of our Christian faith and life as a parish community. In an effort to connect us, we will be broadcasting live audio of the upcoming services from St. Mary’s:
Maundy Thursday 5.30 p.m. Holy Communion with Hymns and Sermon (Sorry the live stream didn’t work, but here’s the recording, and the text of Beth’s sermon.)
Maundy Thursday service (audio)
Good Friday 12.00 p.m. Celebration of the Lord’s Passion with Hymns and Sermon
Good Friday service (audio)
Easter Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion with Hymns and Sermon
For those staying at home, please tune in live at these times to join us in prayer and worship, using this player during each of these services:
Those who desiring and able to attend “in-person” please register at this link:
GODLY PLAY for children 3-6 years via Zoom. Today’s story is ‘Lent-The Upper Room / Jesus the King’ Matthew 26:26-28; John 12:12-13.
FAITHQUEST (for children 7-13 via zoom).
PARISH LIFE NOTES
GLORY TO GOD, and CONGRATULATIONS AND BLESSINGS to Andrew and Starr on the birth of their daughter, Astrid Joy, on Thursday, March 18th. May God grant her many years!
BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION SERVICE with Bishop Rob will take place on Holy Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Please remember Derek in your prayers this week, as he unites Himself to Jesus, and is received into the Communion of the Church. If you wish to attend this service, please speak to the Rector.
*LIVE* AUDIO STREAMING of today’s service will attempted today! To access the live audio, use the special player on the Morning Prayer service page during the service.
*IN PERSON* SUNDAY WORSHIP . Please register ahead of time if you desire to attend the Sunday service at St. Mary’s, and observe public health protocols. AUDIO RECORDING of the service, and sermon will also be posted on the parish web-site following today’s service.
PALM CROSSES for all parishioners and their families will be available for pick up at the 15th Avenue entrance following the service today!
GOOD FRIDAY WAY OF THE CROSS FOR FAMILIES. Upon arriving at St. Mary’s families will be given materials for the prayer walk and a map at the Lych Gate, and will receive a blessing upon their return!
SCHEDULE OF READINGS AND PSALMS FOR HOLY WEEK.
Morning Prayer
Monday
Hosea 13: 1-14
John 14: 1-14
Psalm 94
Tuesday
Isaiah 42: 1-9
John 15: 1-16
Psalm 71
Wednesday
Numbers 21: 4-9
John 16: 1-15
Psalm 109
Thursday
Lamentations 1:1-14
John 17
Psalms 40, 41
Friday
Genesis 22: 1-18
John 18: 1-32
Psalm 22
Saturday
Zechariah 9: 9-12
1 Peter 2: 11-end
Psalms 16, 30
Evening Prayer
Monday
Hosea 14
John 14:15-end
Psalm 69
Tuesday
Wisdom 2.1, 12-end
John 15: 17-end
Psalm 79
Wednesday
Leviticus 16: 2-24
John 16: 16-end
Psalms 120,140
Thursday
Lamentations 3: 1-33
John 13: 1-35
Psalms 116, 117
Friday
Isaiah 50: 4-10
John 19: 38-end
Psalm 88
Saturday
Job 19: 21-27
John 2: 13-22
Psalm 27
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR HOLY WEEK
Monday
8:30 AM Morning Prayer 5:30 PM Evening Prayer
Tuesday
8:30 AM Morning Prayer 5:30 PM Evening Prayer
Wednesday
8:30 AM Morning Prayer 5:30 PM Evening Prayer
Maundy Thursday
8:30 AM Morning Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Communion
Good Friday
10:00 AM Way of the Cross for Children and Families 12:00 PM Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Saturday
7:00 PM Evening Prayer with Holy Baptism and Confirmation
Easter Sunday
10:30 AM Holy Communion 3:00 PM Light and Peace Easter Service for Families
St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 Canon Claude Schroeder
Sermon Audio
From today’s reading of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark:
“There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment thus wasted?For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” And they reproached her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me….she has anointed my body beforehand for burying. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” (Mark 14. 46, 8-9)
In an article entitled, “The Christian Art of Dying”, the British Orthodox priest and theologian John Behr argues that, “in discussing the ages of the spiritual life, nothing is as important or as difficult as facing the reality of death.”
I don’t think any of us would dispute this. We shift nervously in our seats whenever the subject comes up, but it’s a subject that has certainly reared its ugly head under COVID, where from some, stepping outside the doors of one’s house, means courting death.
