All are welcome to attend in-person services. We no longer need attendees to preregister, and you will be able to choose where to sit. One side of the church still has some pews blocked off to support those who need to maintain physical distancing. All entry to the building is from the King Street East main doors.
Everyone–without exception–must wear a mask properly at all times while inside the building.
You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream will begin at 9:45 am, and the service itself will begin at 10am. You’ll still be able to watch or re-watch it on YouTube at the same link any time thereafter.
Keep this order of service handy! It has the readings, the responses, and hymn texts–so you can join in as fully as possible from afar.
In our first reading, we hear about Lydia and her family being baptized by Paul. (Acts 16.9–15)
Our second readings is from the Revelation to St. John. John’s vision describes to us the New Jerusalem coming out of heaven. Unlike the earthly Jerusalem, it has no temple where people will go to pray and know God’s home–but instead God’s own presence replaces the temple! This is a transformed life, where all light is provided by God’s glory; this is a renewed world, remade in Christ, with the tree of life providing fruit for all and leaves that give healing. (Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5) (You’ll also notice that language in the Eucharistic Prayer we use throughout the Fifty Days of Easter directly quotes from this passage!)
Today’s gospel pericope describes the healing God brings: not just healing waters, but God’s presence restoring fullness of life to one who can barely remember what it looks like, one who is alone and bereft. We’re reminded that the sabbath is a gift for fuller life: a healing and creative time that brings us closer to God. (John 5.1–9)
Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the week’s readings:
Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. Jesus provides visions of peace that surpasses human understanding and power beyond human imagination.