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"Ravine," (1889) Vincent van Gogh, 1853-1890, painting (detail). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, United States.

Theme of the Day

Easter initiates a new day. It anticipates a new heaven and a new earth. The risen Christ is making all things new. In the mystery of holy baptism God has made new people of us. Today Jesus invites us to see everyone in a new light—through the lens of love.

The Collect for Sunday

Risen Christ, your wounds declare God’s love for the world and the wonder of your risen life gives us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father, who with you and the Holy Spirit, reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer Intentions

The prayers of the church are offered especially:

  • for the joy and peace of the resurrection to fill the earth;
  • for the renewal of creation;
  • for peace in the world and especially for an end to the war in Ukraine;
  • for all refugees who flee war and violence;
  • for the needs of the world, especially at this time global pandemic;
  • for those who are particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus;
  • for those who are sick and those awaiting surgeries postponed;
  • for those who are isolated and anxious;
  • for the healing of racial inequality, prejudice, bigotry, systemic racism, injustice, and hatred;
  • for all who grieve for lost children, for the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and for generational healing;
  • for those who are homeless;
  • for all those who mourn, who are lonely, or suffer from depression;
  • for all those who work for reconciliation and the common good;
  • for Elizabeth our Queen and all those set in authority under her, for Justin, the Prime Minister of Canada and all members of parliament; Doug, the Premier of Ontario and all members of the legislature; Fred, the mayor of Hamilton and those who serve city council;
  • for the First Nations of this land, for elders, chiefs, and band councils; for all in civil authority and for all citizens that we might work together for the common good;
  • for the whole church: for Susan, our Diocesan Bishop; for David and Brian, our priests; for all bish­ops, priests and dea­cons; and for all the bap­tized: that God may accomplish God's work in and through us for the sake of the world;
  • for all for whom we have been asked to pray, especially Olga;
  • for those who are dying and all those who have departed from this life and are at rest. 

In our cycles of prayer:

  • With the worldwide Anglican Communion, we pray for The Scottish Episcopal Church.
  • In our diocese, we pray for St. John’s, Jordon, The Reverend Pamela Guyatt, Rector, The Reverend Canon Ian Chadwick, Assistant to the Rector and the people of that parish.
  • In our neighbourhood we pray for Blessings Christian Church, Pastors Bill DeJong, Ian Wildeboer, Greg Davidson, and the people of that congregation.
  • In our parish cycle of prayer we pray for Amy, Charles, Olga, Yvonne, Leslie, Bonnie, Roger. We pray also for the church office that acts as a hub for so many of our ministries and activities, and especially for Frances Ward, our office administrator; Ruth Sutherland, our donations secretary; and Sue Samson, our concert administrator; Judith Purdell-Lewis, the editor of the Parish News.

Prayer requests to be included on the following Sunday can be submitted here by the Thursday morning before.

The Readings for Sunday

First Reading: Acts 11:1-18

In defense of his earlier baptism of non-Jewish believers, Peter demonstrates to the members of the Jerusalem church that God’s intention to love Gentiles as well as Jews is revealed in Jesus’ testimony. In this way the mission to the Gentiles is officially authorized.

1Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” 4Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 10This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” 18When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

Psalm: Psalm 148

The splendour of the Lord is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)

 1Hallelujah! Praise the Lord| from the heavens;
  praise God | in the heights.
 2Praise the Lord, | all you angels;
  sing praise, all you | hosts of heaven.
 3Praise the Lord, | sun and moon;
  sing praise, all you | shining stars.
 4Praise the Lord, heav- | en of heavens,
  and you waters a- | bove the heavens.
 5Let them praise the name | of the Lord,
  who commanded, and they | were created,
 6who made them stand fast forev- | er and ever,
  giving them a law that shall not | pass away. R
 7Praise the Lord| from the earth,
  you sea monsters | and all deeps;
 8fire and hail, | snow and fog,
  tempestuous wind, do- | ing God’s will;
 9mountains | and all hills,
  fruit trees | and all cedars;
 10wild beasts | and all cattle,
  creeping things and | flying birds;
 11sovereigns of the earth | and all peoples,
  princes and all rulers | of the world;
 12young | men and maidens,
  old and | young together. R
 13Let them praise the name | of the Lord,
  whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over | earth and heaven.
 14The Lord has raised up strength for the people and praise for all | faithful servants,
  the children of Israel, a people who are near the Lord. | Hallelujah! R

Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-6

John’s vision shows us that in the resurrection the new age has dawned; God dwells with us already. Yet we wait for the time when the tears that cloud our vision will be wiped away. Then we will see the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem.

1I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
 “See, the home of God is among mortals.
 He will dwell with them;
 they will be his peoples,
 and God himself will be with them;
 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
 Death will be no more;
 mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
 for the first things have passed away.”
 5And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.”

Gospel: John 13:31-35

After washing the disciples’ feet, predicting his betrayal, and then revealing his betrayer, Jesus speaks of his glorification on the cross. This deep complicated love of Jesus, even to death on the cross, will be the distinctive mark of Jesus’ community.

31When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

This Week in Holy Time

  • Sunday (15): Fifth Sunday of Easter (The Lord's Day). 
  • Monday (16): Easter Feria.
  • Tuesday (17): Easter Feria.
  • Wednesday (18): Easter Feria.
  • Thursday (19): Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, 988 (Commemoration).
  • Friday (20): Easter Feria.
  • Saturday (21): Easter Feria; Eve of Easter VI.
  • Sunday (22): Sixth Sunday of Easter (The Lord's Day). 

For readings appropriate to the day visit here.

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