Author Archives: NativityNiagara

The Day of Pentecost – Sunday, 28 May 2023

Alleluia, alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia, alleluia!

Masks are not required, but some people continue to wear them to services–you’re welcome, whatever decision you make for yourself!

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream begins at about 9:45 am, and the service begins at 10 am. You will also be able to watch or re-watch the stream on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, responses, and the words to the hymns–helping you to join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Here’s what Sundays and Seasons writes about this Sunday and the readings we’ll hear:
Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world.

The image used in this post is “Pentecost” by Peter Koenig. The artist has given permission for the non-commercial use of this image with attribution.


Koenig, Peter. Pentecost, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=58542 [retrieved May 25, 2023]. Original source: Peter Winfried (Canisius) Koenig, https://www.pwkoenig.co.uk/

Sunday, 21 May 2023 – Seventh Sunday in Easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

Masks are not required, but some people continue to wear them to services–you’re welcome whatever decision you make for yourself!

Ascension mural from Bristol, UK

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream begins at about 9:45 am, and the service begins at 10 am. You will also be able to watch or re-watch the stream on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, responses, and the words to the hymns–helping you to join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Here’s what Sundays and Seasons writes about this Sunday and the readings we’ll hear:
In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today’s gospel Jesus prays for his followers and for their mission in his name. Amid religious, social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Made one in baptism, we go forth to live our faith in the world, eager for the unity that God intends for the whole human family.

The image used in this post is “Ascension” by ‘Skip The Budgie’, on flickr. We use it under the CC-BY-NC-SA 2.0 license. It is a picture of a mural in Bristol, UK. https://www.flickr.com/photos/skip/111045024/

Sunday, 14 May 2023 – 6th Sunday of Easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

Masks are not required for attendance at worship, but many people continue to wear masks to services to protect themselves and others. Please know that you’ll be welcome in the service, whatever decision you make about masking yourself.

Frank Wesley's painting "The Holy Spirit"

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream begins at about 9:45 am, and the service begins at 10 am. You will also be able to watch or re-watch the stream on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, responses, and the words to the hymns–helping you to join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Here’s what Sundays and Seasons writes about this Sunday and the readings we’ll hear:
Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.

Our image this week is “The Holy Spirit” by Frank Wesley. The artist has granted permission for the non-commercial use of this image with attribution; we are grateful to him for permission to use it! Wesley, Frank, 1923-2002. The Holy Spirit, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59262 [retrieved April 25, 2023]. Original source: Estate of Frank Wesley, http://www.frankwesleyart.com/main_page.htm

Sunday, 7 May 2023 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

Masks are not required for attendance at worship, but many people continue to wear masks to services to protect themselves and others. Please know that you’ll be welcome in the service, whatever decision you make about masking yourself.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream begins at about 9:45 am, and the service begins at 10 am. You will also be able to watch or re-watch the stream on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, responses, and the words to the hymns–helping you to join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Here’s what Sundays and Seasons writes about this Sunday and the readings we’ll hear:
As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father’s house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus’ mission in the world. As 1 Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life.

Our image this week is a photograph of the painting “Sun” by Edvard Munch (1912–13). Munch, Edvard, 1863-1944. Sun, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56306 [retrieved May 5, 2023]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edvard_Munch_-The_Sun-_Google_Art_Project.jpg.

Sunday, 30 April 2023 – Fourth Sunday of Easter

Good Shepherd Sunday

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

Masks are not required for attendance at worship, but many people continue to wear masks to services to protect themselves and others. Please know that you’ll be welcome in the service, whatever decision you make about masking yourself.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream begins at about 9:45 am, and the service begins at 10 am. You will also be able to watch or re-watch the stream on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, responses, and the words to the hymns–helping you to join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, often called Good Shepherd Sunday. We continue to celebrate the good news of the resurrection. On the Fourth Sunday each year, we hear verses from chapter 10 of John’s gospel, and the section where Jesus speaks about being the Good Shepherd. Here’s what Sundays and Seasons writes about this Sunday and the readings we’ll hear:
Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care to all creation.

Our image this week is entitled “I am the Gate” by Peter Koenig (20th c.). The artist has granted permission for the non-commercial use of this image with attribution; we are grateful to him for permission to use it!
Koenig, Peter. I am the Gate, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=58511 [retrieved April 25, 2023]. Original source: Peter Winfried (Canisius) Koenig, https://www.pwkoenig.co.uk/ .

Sunday, 23 April 2023 – Third Sunday of Easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!

Masks are not required for attendance at worship, but many people continue to wear masks to services to protect themselves and others. Please know that you’ll be welcome in the service, whatever decision you make about masking yourself.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream begins at about 9:45 am, and the service begins at 10 am. You will be able to watch or re-watch the stream on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, the responses, and the words to the hymns to help you join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is the third Sunday of Easter, a season that lasts for 50 joyful days, and we continue to celebrate the good news of the resurrection in all its fullness! Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the day and the readings we’ll hear:
Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.

Our image this week is entitled “Road to Emmaus,” by Peter Koenig (1982). The artist has granted permission for the non-commercial use of this image with attribution; we are grateful to him for permission to use it!
Koenig, Peter. Road to Emmaus, from Art in the Christian
Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=58540 [retrieved April 18, 2023]. Original source: Peter Winfried (Canisius) Koenig, https://www.pwkoenig.co.uk/

Sunday, 16 April 2023 — Second Sunday of Easter

Christ is risen, alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia, alleluia!

Masks are not required for attendance at worship, but many people continue to wear masks to services to protect themselves and others. We encourage you to make the choice that’s right for you.

Mosaic of Jesus showing Thomas his wounds, from Washington National Cathedral.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream will begin at about 9:45 am, and the service will begin at 10 am. You are able to watch or re-watch it on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, all the responses, and the words of the hymns, to help you join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is the second Sunday of Easter– a season that lasts for 50 wonderful days, and we continue to celebrate the good news of the resurrection in all its fullness! Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the day and the readings we’ll hear:

In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Throughout the coming Sundays of Easter the first two readings will be from the Acts of the Apostles and the first letter of Peter. Even as the early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, we rejoice in the new birth and living hope we receive in baptism.

Sunday, 9 April – Easter Day

Christ is risen, alleluia, alleluia!

The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia, alleluia!

We strongly encourage you to wear a high-quality medical mask for in person attendance at worship. Although not required, this advice comes from the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health and Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health, and from diocesan guidelines. Wearing a mask while indoors in public is the best way to protect yourself and others.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream will begin at about 9:45 am, and the service will begin at 10 am. You are able to watch or re-watch it on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, all the responses, and the words of the hymns, to help you join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is Easter Day, and we celebrate the good news of the resurrection in all its fullness! Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the day and the readings we’ll hear:

This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.

Good Friday – 7 April 2023

We strongly encourage you to wear a high-quality medical mask for in person attendance at worship. Although not required, this advice comes from the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health and Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health, and from diocesan guidelines. Wearing a mask while indoors in public is the best way to protect yourself and others.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream and the service will begin at 10 am. You are able to watch or re-watch it on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, all the responses, and the words of the hymns, to help you join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is Good Friday. This morning we gather in an empty church, and recall the trial, execution, death, and burial of Jesus. We venerate the cross–the symbol of how God takes evil and brings forth good, destroying death and bringing us into new life. We receive the reserved sacrament. And we depart in silence, waiting to gather and hear what comes next in what God does for us and the world. Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the day and the readings we’ll hear:

Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ’s death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devotion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently, and we anticipate the culmination of the Three Days in the Easter Vigil.

Maundy Thursday – 6 April 2023

We strongly encourage you to wear a high-quality medical mask for in person attendance at worship. Although not required, this advice comes from the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health and Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health, and from diocesan guidelines. Wearing a mask while indoors in public is the best way to protect yourself and others.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream will begin at about 6:45 pm, and the service will begin at 7 pm. You are able to watch or re-watch it on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, all the responses, and the words of the hymns, to help you join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is Maundy Thursday. Tonight we remember Jesus washing the feet of the disciples–and remember the service we’re called to by washing the feet of all who wish. We remember the giving of the new commandment, and the institution of the eucharist. After communion, the sacrament will be taken to the altar of repose in the chapel, and the church will be stripped bare. Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the day and the readings we’ll hear:

This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.