Author: Holy Trinity

Reflections

Holy Trinity Anglican Church
The heart of the community for 135 years.
Sunday, April 4, 2021 (Easter)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all.
Hymn: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
https://youtu.be/rMwPEmUMP7U
Collect of the Day
Lord of life and power, through the mighty resurrection of your Son, you have overcome the old order of sin and death and have made all things new in him. May we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, reign with him in glory, who with you and the Holy Spirit is alive, one God, now and for ever.
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
A Reading from The Book of Acts
Then Peter began to speak to the Gentiles: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ − he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

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PSALM 118
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever. Let Israel now proclaim, *
“His mercy endures for ever.” The Lord is my strength and my song, *
and he has become my salvation.
There is a sound of exultation and victory *
in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! *
the right hand of the Lord is exalted! the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!” I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has punished me sorely, *
but he did not hand me over to death. Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord. “This is the gate of the Lord; *
he who is righteous may enter.” I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.

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The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing, *
and it is marvellous in our eyes. On this day the Lord has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
A Reading from The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you − unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them − though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

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The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Hymn: Now the Green Blade Riseth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVduV0ustWw
A REFLECTION BY THE RECTOR
In her book, Practicing Resurrection, author Nora Gallagher wonders whether we are missing the point when as church we become entrenched in debates as to whether we do or do not believe in the resurrection. She writes:
“When I think about the resurrection now, I not only wonder about what happened to Jesus. I ponder what happened to his disciples. Something happened to them, too. They went into hiding after the crucifixion, but after the resurrection appearances, they walked back out into the world

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A REFLECTION BY THE RECTOR continued
…. braver and stronger….
.... It was not just what they saw when they saw Jesus … but what was set free in them .... What if the resurrection is not about the appearances of Jesus alone, but also about what those appearances point to…. It’s …. what we do with them that matters …. Maybe resurrection, like everything else, needs to be practiced.”
Practicing resurrection. It’s a powerful phrase and truth. Our Easter truth. Jesus died on Good Friday in the most horrific of ways − an act of unspeakable cruelty by vengeful people who believed they were acting in the name of God. And while nothing can justify that, we must also remember that our Lord knew what would happen if he continued in the face of mounting religious and political opposition.
Throughout his life, Jesus rejected teachings and practices that imposed a burden on those in need or justified exclusion and was particularly critical of religious leaders who protected the status quo with all its lifeless traditions.
His focus was the power of God to heal and save, and he brought that power into lives in such dramatic and compelling ways that common people received him gladly and the political, social and religious authorities were outraged. Easter is God’s act of restoring the love that the world would kill.
This was not a once-in-a-lifetime, take-it-or-leave-it event. And it is not an optional extra for us Christians. The resurrection is unique and unprecedented − in the fullest sense of the word a mystery − well beyond the boundaries of human understanding or experience.

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A REFLECTION BY THE RECTOR continued
Easter Sunday says alleluia, Christ is risen, Jesus is Lord of the world. The power that shattered death is now given to us to live − and this is the truth we celebrate today.
There have been, and continue to be, many moments of resurrection within our lifetime. And God was behind them, as God is behind every movement of renewal and reconciliation.
And yet, as we well know, for resurrection to come some things may have to die. We are moving through yet another time of unprecedented change. But something grace-filled is emerging from the uncertainty, loss, and pain − new vision, creativity, potential and possibility which again shows God’s power to renew and restore God’s people.
A vibrant community of faith will always be a place of diversity, differing perspectives and lively debate. In living spiritual communities people explore, discuss, seek, and struggle to find truth. They never rest content with ancient dogmas, doctrines, or traditions even though they respect and cherish them. God disturbs and transforms us all through the power of the resurrection. That is God's way.
If we look for justice without suffering, we are romantics. If we look for renewal without transformation, we miss the point entirely.
Easter is not just a day or a season. It is the journey of a lifetime − of laughter and tears, of symbolism and reality, encounters, and absences − all of it laid out, not as the tired story of human life unfolding down

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A REFLECTION BY THE RECTOR concluded
through the centuries, but as it shines in the transforming light of this glorious Easter Sunday morning. For which, brothers and sisters mine, what can we say but thanks be to God! Alleluia!
Penelope+
Hymn: The Holy City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BReDk62h61k
The Apostles’ Creed
Let us confess the faith of our baptism:
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day, he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated on the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

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Prayers of the People
Prayers from the heart and our weekly Prayers of the People on page 11.
Hymn: Cloud’s Veil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt811467UT8
The Lord’s Prayer
And now, gathering our prayers into one ....
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Blessing
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord: and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst us and remain with us always. Amen.
Hymn: Sing a New Song
https://youtu.be/W1GmO7kx__4

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Parish Matters
Readings for Sunday, April 11, 2021 (Easter 2)
Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1-10, 2:1-2; John 20:19-31
April Outreach: Christ Church Cathedral School;
and ALOFT − African Leaders of Tomorrow: education of young people with potential for future leadership.

Thank you for giving. There are six ways to give:
1. Drop your envelope at the back of the church during a service.
2. Slip your envelope through the church office door.
3. Mail your envelope to Holy Trinity Church, 1319 Mills Road,
North Saanich, BC V8L 5T2.
4. If you wish to make a one-time donation, please ensure the address
on your cheque is correct so we can issue a Contribution Statement
for tax purposes.
5. Get set up on the Electronic Collection Plate.* Complete the
pre-authorized donation form and it can either be dropped off
or mailed to the office, along with a voided cheque.
6. Regular donators may send an e-transfer (Interac©) to the address
givings@holytrinityns.org. If you choose this option, it is secure
and means you don’t need to leave your house. Please include your
envelope number and the purpose of your contribution (church and/or
outreach) in the memo section, so we can issue a Contribution
Statement for tax purposes.
* See our website or contact the office to have the form emailed to you.

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Prayers
of the People
In our Anglican Communion: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; and our brothers and sisters of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
In our Diocese: Anna, our Bishop; St. Mary of the Incarnation. Metchosin, Wally Earner; the Diocese of New Westminster, Bishop John Stephens.
In our Haro Region: Our brothers and sisters of St. Mary Magdalene, Mayne Island.
In our Parish: Our Rector, Penelope; Richard and Robin Lake; Debbie Lamb; Barbara Lamb; Joanne and Ron Lambert; Mary and Paul Larkin; Tommy Lavoie and Erin Rich; Deb and Jack Law; and our office and envelope administrators, website team, and Counting Guild.
In the Community: Highway Christian Fellowship

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H o l y T r i n i t Y A N G L I C A N C H U R C H
1319 Mills Road, North Saanich V8L 5T2
Rector: The Venerable Penelope A. Kingham
Wardens: Sandi Cubbon, Teva Scheer, Gregor Macintosh, Lorea Tomsin
Office email: admin@holytrinityns.org Office telephone: 250-656-3223