Second Sunday of Easter
April 24, 2022
(A Story at Home Rerun from 2018)

John 20:24-31

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” 

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Something to Do

Unless I see…

Instead of calling Thomas Doubting Thomas, we should call him Scientist Thomas.  Insisting on evidence—information that you can check by touching it or looking at it or hearing it or smelling it—is an important part of scientific discovery.  Do an experiment this week and practice using your senses to gain information about the world. This website has some suggestions.

… I will not believe.

God for a walk and imagine the stones and trees and waterways shouting their praises to God. Imagine If we are going to keep calling Thomas Doubting Thomas, we should remember that doubts are not necessarily bad. Doubts simply mean we don’t know something for sure—and, if we’re honest, there are lots of things we don’t know for sure.
 
Set a timer for three minutes and see how many doubts you can write down in that time. If you are doing this with other people, award a prize to the person with the longest list.

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Something to Wonder

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe”

The Greek word we translate as “believe” also means “trust.”  Remembering that can help us remember that believing isn’t about knowing for sure, it’s about trusting even though we don’t know for sure.
 
What do you trust?  Who do you trust? What makes something or someone trustworthy?
 
Do you find it easy or difficult to trust God?  Why?

“… through believing you might have life in his name”

The language of kingship can be difficult for us to work with but remember that, for much of history and The Easter season reminds us that we don’t just tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection – we actually get to share in Jesus’ resurrection.  Our life is made new in Jesus’ risen life.  Jesus revealed himself to Thomas so that he might join in this new life and Jesus reveals himself to us, too.
 
Where is resurrection happening in your life?  Where is there new growth?  New changes?  New opportunities? 
 
What new things might be possible if you allowed yourself to trust in the power of the resurrection?

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Something to Learn

Thomas the Doubter Apostle

When Jesus first appeared to the other disciples, one of the things he said to them was “As the Father sent me, so I send you.”  Thomas clearly got this message too and, according to tradition, is responsible for the introduction of Christianity to India. The historian William Dalrymple explores this tradition’s roots and its contemporary expression in this article for The Guardian: The Incredible Journey.

Faith, Doubt, and Religion

Doubting Thomas Redeemed
by Joseph Brean (published in the National Post, April 13, 2017)
“Skepticism has repeatedly shown its value as an intellectual tool, even for believers. Rather than an obstacle, doubt has been recast as, if not exactly a virtue, at least a stepping stone to faith. The stigma of doubt is weakening and as it does, Thomas is slowly redeemed.”

A spectrum of spirituality: Canadians keep the faith to varying degrees, but few reject it entirely
Angus Reid Institute and Faith in Canada 150 study the “anatomy of faith in Canada”

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

This is the first Holy Week in three years that gathering together in the flesh has been an option – and it is still not an option for everyone.

But whether you will be in the church for parts of this week or not, let us all remember the lessons we have learned about how to experience these sacred days at home. Let us all remember that we are united not because we can stand in the same place but because we are rooted in the same Spirit, following the same Lord.

Below are a number of ways to enter into Holy Week, some alone or with other members of your household and some on-line, and some at the church. Whatever you choose to do, I pray that you will know the presence of Jesus in the world and in your own life.

The Story
Holy Week

Luke 22:14-23:56
John 18:1-19:42

As we are in Year C of the lectionary cycle, we heard the Passion according to Luke on Palm Sunday and, as in every year, we will hear the Passion according to John on Good Friday. Both are too long to copy into this post but the links above will take you to the Oremus Bible Browser site. Or, better still, pull out your own Bible and work your way through the story in your own time this week.

You may wish to use this model to organize your reading.

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Self-guided Prayer

Resting in the Presence of God

Prayer Walk – The guide offers two forms for a prayer walk. The first is a deeply contemplative walk, using breath prayers to focus your heart and mind as your allow your body to move through the world God made. The second is a form of intercessory prayer that calls on you to be attentive to your surroundings and love God’s world in prayer.

Walk the Labyrinth – Labyrinths are an invitation into the presence of God to release your burdens, receive God’s blessing, and return to God’s world. Hans and Linda have created a wonderful labyrinth in our parking lot – all are welcome to walk it at any time. You can also use a finger labyrinth at home.

• Learn more about the history and practice of labyrinths
• Download a prayer guide and a paper finger labyrinth.

A facilitated walk will be offered on Good Friday at 11am.

Contemplative and Creative Arts

Prepared by members of the Contemplative Arts Group for our first locked-down Holy Week, this resource provides options for Scripture based meditations and creative responses, including visual art, movement, writing, baking, and music. It makes use of materials you likely have at home and is easily adaptable for use with younger children.

Music for Holy Week

The Contemplative and Creative Arts Kit, above, includes suggested songs to sing or listen to (all findable on Youtube or similar services). In addition, our music director, Aude has created three Youtube playlists to accompany your prayer time.

• Contemporary Christian Music for Holy Week
• Traditional Hymns for Holy Week
• Classical Music Selections for Holy Week

Praying Holy Week

The Church of England offers a Holy Week podcast, Walking the Way of the Cross

The Society of St. John the Evangelist, an Episcopal monastic order, provide a resource page for each day of Holy Week with readings, prayers, reflections, and music.

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Services

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Maundy Thursday

Home Prayers at Dinner

Set up your worship space at your table with a candle to light and a simple meal such as bread, cheese, fruit, hummus, olives, and wine (or its substitute) set out.  As you pray, know that you are praying in the company of Ascension and of all the saints. Download the prayers here.

Holy Eucharist with Foot Washing – 7:30 at the church

Come to the church for this solemn service. We will wash one another’s feet (so wear shoes and socks that are easy to remove) which is weird but wonderful. We will share in Eucharist. We will strip the church and sit in the dark to hear the story of Jesus’ betrayal. We will pray in the company of Ascension and of all the saints.

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Good Friday

Love is Stronger than Death: Way of the Cross for All-Ages – 10am

This moving service uses simple language and the hope-filled refrain that love is stronger than death to tell the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross in a way that is suitable for young children as well as their elders. Unlike a traditional Stations service or the Liturgy of Good Friday, we end the service with the (quiet) good news of the Resurrection in order to ensure our youngest members feel safe and reassured as they wait for Sunday.

How to join the service:
This service will be offered in a hybrid format. You are welcome to come to the church or to join via Zoom. The Zoom link is available on request from Rhonda.

This service itself will not be recorded but a pre-recorded version is available here.

Labyrinth Walk – 11:00am

Come engage your body, mind and spirit in prayer and reflection on the seven last words of Christ. Steve de Paul has created a meditation in poetry and image, titled Seven Christs which will be available as laminated cards for walking use and as a video loop inside the church for finger labyrinth users.

Find more details here.

Liturgy of Good Friday – 12:00pm at the church

The Good Friday service at the church includes the reading of the Passion of Christ according to St. John, the solemn intercessions, a time of meditation on the Cross of Jesus, and the opportunity to receive Holy Communion from the reserved sacrament.

A simple pre-recorded service will be available on the website as of Friday morning.

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Easter Sunday

Claiming the Hope of the Resurrection

Service of the Word- 9 a.m. on Zoom

We will hear the good news of the Easter Gospel, sing with the Easter choir, and renew our baptismal vows as we are reminded of who we are called to be in a world that is crying out for rebirth.

Prepare to join in the celebration by setting up your worship space with :

• a candle ready to light
• a big bowl of water

How to join the service:
Download the order of service (available soon).

Join Zoom with a computer or smartphone or call in to Zoom by dialing 1-647-374-4685 and entering the meeting ID 301 177 504.

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Eucharist with Baptism and Children’s Talk- 9 a.m. at the church

Register here.

Easter Coffee Hour ~ 10am

Gather outdoors to share coffee, tea, juice, and treats between the on-site Easter services. Zoomers welcome!

Eucharist with Choir and Sermon – 11am at the church

Register here.