SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 22, 2022
Sunday services have resumed in-person at 10:30 am.
THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE
We give thanks to our Creator for the earth we share with all creatures, and we acknowledge that we are here on the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Wendat. We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples, and we seek to live respectfully with them and with the earth. We pray for healing between our cultures and healing from settler arrogance. We believe that Black Lives Matter and that Every Child Matters. We know that love is love, and we welcome everybody who desires to join us in worship. You are a beloved creation of God, and you are most welcome in this place.
Please stand, as you are able.
Opening Hymn (Glory to God #250): In the Bulb there is a Flower
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there's a dawn in every darkness bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Celebrant: May his grace and peace be with you.
People: May he fill our hearts with joy.
Celebrant: Almighty God,
All: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gloria Glory, Glory, Glory (Glory to God #584)
REFRAIN Glory, glory, glory, glory be to God on high! (2x)
And on earth peace to all people in whom God is well pleased. (2x) R
The Collect
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you riches beyond imagination. Pour into our hearts such love toward you, that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading
Reader: A reading from the book of Acts.
During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home." And she prevailed upon us. [Acts 16:9-15]
Reader: The word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 67: Let Us Praise (Book of Praise #40)
Refrain Let us praise the God of truth, let us praise the God of peace, let us praise the God of love. Amen.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen.
Be gracious unto us, O God, and bless us;
and let the light of your face shine upon us,
that your ways may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the nations be glad, and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples righteously
and guide the nations of the earth
The earth has yielded its harvest
and you, our God, have blessed us.
Your blessings, O God, be upon us.
May all the ends of the earth revere you. R
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
As you are able, please stand.
Gospel Acclamation: Open My Heart (Ana Fernandez)
REFRAIN Open my heart, open my heart. Open my heart, open my heart. (3x)
Gospeler: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Gospeler: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe." [John 14:23-29]
Gospeler: This is the Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily The Rev. Alison Hari-Singh
May only the truth be spoken and only the truth heard. In the name of God: eternal Source, incarnate Word, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I read the Bible (or hear the Bible read) I feel this need to pull out a map of the ancient world. Between the ancient names of cities, continents, and bodies of water, routes travelled, and all those shipwrecks, I’m often at loss to figure out where exactly events are taking place. And if the name of a person, place, or thing is identified in the Bible, that is usually a sign to pay attention – it’s significant!
Today’s reading from the Book of Acts is like that. Consider this, Paul is far away from home, having traversed many boarders through Arabia and Asia Minor. As we heard a few weeks ago, Paul was originally known as Saul of Tarsus. Tarsus is located on the southeastern most side of modern-day Turkey, almost bordering on Syria. Paul therefore was a Hellenistic Jew. We know that the Jews were an occupied people in the ancient world, but Paul was a Roman citizen. Being born a citizen of Rome gave Paul a whole host of privileges that the other apostles born in occupied Judea did not have. After Paul catches his Gospel vision, he uses his privilege as a Roman citizen to move around the ancient world freely (often in boats that cannot manage the high seas).
He does this because Paul has realized at his conversion what Peter, as we heard last week, understood much later: that Good News is for all! Part of what Paul understands to be Good News is a rather radical understanding of the distribution of wealth. I know Paul gets a lot of push back – and rightly so in many ways. But something that we often forget is why he’s travelling all around the ancient world. Is it just because he has a big ego and wants to make a name for himself? Perhaps. But what he was also doing was going from congregation to congregation of God-fearers, Jewish seekers, and Christian converts to take up a collection to provide money for the widows, orphans and poor in Jerusalem. When we meet Paul today in Troas (the ancient Greek city of Troy), it is this work he intends to continue as he travels.
In Troas he is already 700 miles from home; 1200 miles from Jerusalem. We don’t catch this from today’s lectionary reading, but Paul had been attempting to go eastward, but every time he tries, something stops him (he names that “something” the Holy Spirit). After stopping in Troas, he has a vision of a man in Macedonia – a Gentile - asking for help. So, he decides to go westward. He heads northwest to Neapolis and then eventually on to Philippi. It was the church in Philippi to whom the letter to the Philippians is written. This was a congregation Paul came to know and love.
Remember, Paul is looking to raise money. To do that he must find a congregation or synagogue. So, on the sabbath day he, along with his companions Timothy and Silas, head down to the river, outside the city gate, to say prayers. He finds only a group of women to sit and chat with. Now you must bear in mind that while Jews can worship anywhere, to establish a synagogue requires at least 10 men (a minyan). In Philippi, there was no minyan, just a group of Gentile women curious about the Jewish God. So, it was to them he shared Good News.
Lydia, whom the Bible calls a “worshipper of God,” heard Paul’s message with an open heart. It’s significant, I think, that Lydia was herself from Asia Minor. She knew of the God of the Jews and was clearly already open. She was also a dealer in purple cloth.
In the ancient world, it was very difficult to create the colour purple. Marine snails were collected by the thousands and boiled for days in giant vats. Apparently, it stank! This process triggered a chemical reaction in which the snails were transformed into valuable dye. Think of the amount of labour it would take to collect the snails and the capital you would need to buy the vats, purchase the undyed cloth, and then dye the cloth purple, not to mention pay the labourers. It was a huge expense. That Lydia dealt in purple cloth indicates several important things, the foremost of which is that Lydia was rich! Remember Paul’s mission?
Biblical scholars tell us that Lydia was more than likely unmarried and led her own household. In the ancient world, a woman acting as paterfamilias (head of the household with absolute authority) was basically unheard of. As such, she occupied a relatively high place of social status. So, when she was baptized, her entire household was baptized with her. That’s a lot of baptisms! She then invites Paul and his companions to her home to stay with her. Considering Paul’s well-known ambivalent views of women, this is a remarkable moment.
Through her encounter with Paul – far away from Jerusalem and the palpable memory of Jesus’ death – Lydia becomes one of the many mothers of Christianity. She is the first European convert to Christianity and the founder of the church in Philippi. She was also, it is safe to say, an important contributor to Paul’s financial campaign for Jerusalem.
In a couple of weeks, we will celebrate Pentecost. The lectionary is already challenging us to reflect on the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send. What we learn from Paul’s travels to gather a collection for the poor church members in Jerusalem and Lydia’s conversion is that not long after the resurrection, the Holy Spirit – the Advocate – is already preparing people to respond to Good News; already teaching and reminding them what it means to follow the way of Jesus. We see it clearly in how Paul approaches Lydia. Whatever barriers are between them, all of them fall. Gender, class, and race (he is a Jew, and she is a Gentile) – these structural barriers cannot stop the work of the Holy Spirit.
Many years ago – during the Second Gulf War – Jeff and I and a group of parishioners from St. Stephen in-the-Fields joined throngs of Torontonians to protest. Some of you may have been there. As we marched with our Who Would Jesus Bomb? banner, I ran into one of my theology professors – a Jesuit priest. He gave me a big hug and said, “Look around! Isn’t the Holy Spirit so promiscuous?” Isn’t the Holy Spirit so promiscuous? There were people of every race, across class and gender making their voices heard about what collectively they knew was right. I sensed that same “promiscuity” when Jeff and I took Ava to the Every Child Matters march last summer. 1000s of people, from all walks of life, banding together to declare that the loss of these children’s lives to the residential school system will not be forgotten and will not happen again.
Wherever and whenever we get out of our comfort zone; wherever and whenever we open our hearts and our homes – this building – to the stranger; wherever and whenever we reject those obstacles that divide people from each other and the planet – that is where Spirit-filled Good News is. 2000 years later, the question remains: Where is the Holy Spirit leading us and what are they calling us to? Amen.
Silence is kept.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
As we prepare for the prayers of the people, let us hear and reflect on the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (#48): Reconciliation
48. We call upon the church parties to the Settlement Agreement, and all other faith groups and interfaith social justice groups in Canada who have not already done so, to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation. This would include, but not be limited to, the following commitments:
Intercessor: Remembering this Call to Action, let us pray to the Lord, saying,
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: May the risen Saviour fill us with the joy of his holy and life-giving resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: In our Anglican Communion cycle of prayer, we pray for Church of the Province of South East Asia. In our diocesan cycle, we pray for Bishop Kevin Robertson. We pray also that isolated and persecuted churches all over the world may find fresh strength in the Easter gospel, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: That the Lord may grant us humility to relate with empathy and patience to others and be responsive in Christian love, especially toward those marginalized by our society; let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: That God, working through us, may sustain the life of this fragile planet. We pray for all communities that are experiencing devastating and unprecedented weather events. As we enter another provincial election cycle, we ask that the needs of a just society will be pursued and fulfilled. We ask for a spirit of generosity that we may provide for those who lack food, work, or shelter, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: By the power of God to turn crooked paths straight, we ask that war, famine, and displacement may cease through all the earth; we offer our prayers and petitions for all the troubled places, especially Ukraine, Sudan, Palestine, Yemen, Ethiopia, and Wet’suwet’en, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: That the light of God’s presence may be revealed to the sick, the weak, and the dying, that they may be comforted and strengthened; we lift up Kim, Donna, Michael, Penny, Enid, Freda, Charlotte, Len, Ann, Michael, Alison, and all those on our hearts either silently or out loud, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: We pray also for all who have died, especially Chung Ja, David, Wayne, Mary, and anyone else on our hearts either silently or out loud, we pray to you, Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: That the Lord may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon God’s people, that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: Lord God, the well-spring of life, pour into our hearts the living water of your grace. By your light we see light. Increase our faith, and grant that we may ever walk in the brightness of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Reconciliation
Celebrant: Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; God welcomes sinners and invites them to this table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.
Silence is kept.
Celebrant: Most merciful God,
People: We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
As you are able, please stand.
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is indeed right that we should praise you, gracious God, for you created all things. You created us and formed us in your own image. When we turned away from you in sin, you did not cease to care for us, but opened a path of salvation for all people. You made a covenant with Israel, and through your servants Abraham and Sarah gave the promise of a blessing to all nations. Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom; through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation. Therefore, with them, and with all your saints who have served you in every age, we give thanks and raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
Sanctus (Gather #201)
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: Holy God, source of life and goodness, all creation rightly gives you praise. In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Creator of all. He healed the sick and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners; he opened the eyes of the blind and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom to the poor and to those in need. In all things he fulfilled your gracious will. On the night he freely gave himself to death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Gracious God, his perfect sacrifice destroys the power of sin and death; by raising him to life you give us life for evermore.
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Celebrant: Recalling his death, proclaiming his resurrection, and looking for his coming again in glory, we offer you, this bread and this cup. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who eat and drink at this table may be one body and one holy people, a living sacrifice in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant: As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Silence is kept.
Celebrant: Lord, we died with you on the cross.
All: Now we are raised to new life.
Celebrant: We were buried in your tomb.
All: Now we share in your resurrection.
Celebrant: Live in us, that we may live in you.
Angus Dei (Gather #207)
All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Prince of Peace, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Bread of Life, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
Communion Music (CP #73): One Bread, One Body, One Lord of All
Refrain One bread, one body, one Lord of all
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many, throughout the Earth
We are one body in this one Lord
Gentile or Jew, servant or free
Woman or man, no more R
Many the gifts, many the works
One in the Lord of all R
Grain for the fields, scattered and grown
Gathered to one for all R
Come up to the altar following the lead of those ahead of you. If you would like a blessing, as well as, or in place of the bread, indicate this to the priest.
The Silence
A longer silence is kept for listening and reflection.
Prayer after Communion
As you are able, please stand.
Celebrant: O God, you restored us to life by raising your Son from death. May we who receive this sacrament always be strengthened to do your will, in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen.
Celebrant: Glory to God,
All: whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Blessing
Celebrant: May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Closing Hymn (CP #578): O Healing River
O healing river, send down your waters,
send down your waters upon this land.
O healing river, send down your waters,
and wash the blood from off the sand.
This land is parching, this land is burning,
no seed is growing in the barren ground.
O healing river, send down your waters,
O healing river, send your waters down.
Let the seed of freedom awake and flourish,
let the deep roots nourish, let the tall stalks rise.
O healing river, send down your waters,
O healing river, from out of the skies.
Celebrant: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia!
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lunch and Learn – Join us on June 5th right after service to hear Billy Gekas share an abbreviated version of his paper entitled “Walking with Creation’s Medicines and Their Indigenous Knowledge Keepers.” We’ll meet from 11:45 am – 12:25 pm.
Bring your own snacks or a bag lunch.
Reading Group – Through the month of June we will be reading and reflecting on selected sections of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This 1-hour reading group will be held on Zoom beginning on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 7:30 pm. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Alison at alison.hari.singh@utoronto.ca.
Hymns for Ordinary Time – As we approach “ordinary time” in the church’s calendar we are looking to create a repository of favourite hymns. If you have a favourite hymn, please let Rev. Alison or Jane know. We will compile this list and use these selections throughout the next number of months.
Migration Celebration – Shadowland Theatre is partnering with other organizations to create a community celebration of birds this spring! Community workshops will run from June 5-10 at the WIA Clubhouse on Ward's Island from 11am-5pm. This event will culminate with a parade processing along the paths and lagoons from Centre Island to St Andrew by the Lake church grounds on June 12 at 2pm. For more information, see https://www.shadowlandtheatre.ca/migration-celebration.
The Beatitudes in a Time of Violence and War – Voices for Peace presents its fourth annual conference online on May 24th at 7 pm. In this free webinar, Blessed are the Peacemakers author Robert Ellsberg will explore this timely theme. Register online for free: https://www.livemeeting.ca/register/?meet=18719&rel=18825.
Seeking Justice 2022 – Citizens for Public Justice are holding a virtual conference from May 25-27. Participants will explore what it looks like to seek justice within institutions and co-create more just, faithful, and healthy ways of relating to creation and each other. To learn more and register go to: https://cpj.ca/sj2022/.
PWRDF – The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is working support refugees fleeing Ukraine. For more information, go to: https://pwrdf.org/pwrdf-supports-ukrainians-forced-to-flee/.
Tending the Soul: Hopeful Conversations about Ministry in Pandemic – Bishop Andrew is inviting the Diocese to dream together about where God is leading us through this pandemic and beyond. Beginning on March 10th there will be nine hour-long conversations on Thursdays at noon, with a break around Easter. For more information go to: https://www.toronto.anglican.ca/news/conversation-series-invites-diocese-to-dream/.
Ferry Information as of April 15, 2022 - Spring Schedule
9:30 am - Ferry leaves city to Ward’s Island.
9:45 am – Ferry arrives at Ward's dock. Church van available.
10:30 am - Church service begins.
The walk to the church takes around 30 minutes. For other ferry times go to: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/toronto-island-park/all-ferry-schedules/.
If you need a ride, please call Bella at 416-203-4142.
Amber Stage Guidelines (Diocese of Toronto)
Click on the link above to see the Diocesan Guidelines for safe worship in Church under Stage 2 Covid protocols.
Ways to support St. Andrew’s
· Bring a Friend
· The Collection Plate
· E-Transfer – email: standrewbookings@gmail.com
· PAR - Pre-Authorized Remittance. You direct your bank to deposit your donation into the church account on the 20th of each month. To apply contact Joyce Rogers at standrewbookings@gmail.com.
Canada Helps – Visit the St. Andrew by-the-Lake website, go to the Home Page and click on the Donate button
We give thanks to our Creator for the earth we share with all creatures, and we acknowledge that we are here on the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Wendat. We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples, and we seek to live respectfully with them and with the earth. We pray for healing between our cultures and healing from settler arrogance. We believe that Black Lives Matter and that Every Child Matters. We know that love is love, and we welcome everybody who desires to join us in worship. You are a beloved creation of God, and you are most welcome in this place.
Please stand, as you are able.
Opening Hymn (Glory to God #250): In the Bulb there is a Flower
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there's a dawn in every darkness bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Celebrant: May his grace and peace be with you.
People: May he fill our hearts with joy.
Celebrant: Almighty God,
All: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gloria Glory, Glory, Glory (Glory to God #584)
REFRAIN Glory, glory, glory, glory be to God on high! (2x)
And on earth peace to all people in whom God is well pleased. (2x) R
The Collect
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you riches beyond imagination. Pour into our hearts such love toward you, that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading
Reader: A reading from the book of Acts.
During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home." And she prevailed upon us. [Acts 16:9-15]
Reader: The word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 67: Let Us Praise (Book of Praise #40)
Refrain Let us praise the God of truth, let us praise the God of peace, let us praise the God of love. Amen.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen.
Be gracious unto us, O God, and bless us;
and let the light of your face shine upon us,
that your ways may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the nations be glad, and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples righteously
and guide the nations of the earth
The earth has yielded its harvest
and you, our God, have blessed us.
Your blessings, O God, be upon us.
May all the ends of the earth revere you. R
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
As you are able, please stand.
Gospel Acclamation: Open My Heart (Ana Fernandez)
REFRAIN Open my heart, open my heart. Open my heart, open my heart. (3x)
Gospeler: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Gospeler: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe." [John 14:23-29]
Gospeler: This is the Gospel of Christ.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily The Rev. Alison Hari-Singh
May only the truth be spoken and only the truth heard. In the name of God: eternal Source, incarnate Word, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I read the Bible (or hear the Bible read) I feel this need to pull out a map of the ancient world. Between the ancient names of cities, continents, and bodies of water, routes travelled, and all those shipwrecks, I’m often at loss to figure out where exactly events are taking place. And if the name of a person, place, or thing is identified in the Bible, that is usually a sign to pay attention – it’s significant!
Today’s reading from the Book of Acts is like that. Consider this, Paul is far away from home, having traversed many boarders through Arabia and Asia Minor. As we heard a few weeks ago, Paul was originally known as Saul of Tarsus. Tarsus is located on the southeastern most side of modern-day Turkey, almost bordering on Syria. Paul therefore was a Hellenistic Jew. We know that the Jews were an occupied people in the ancient world, but Paul was a Roman citizen. Being born a citizen of Rome gave Paul a whole host of privileges that the other apostles born in occupied Judea did not have. After Paul catches his Gospel vision, he uses his privilege as a Roman citizen to move around the ancient world freely (often in boats that cannot manage the high seas).
He does this because Paul has realized at his conversion what Peter, as we heard last week, understood much later: that Good News is for all! Part of what Paul understands to be Good News is a rather radical understanding of the distribution of wealth. I know Paul gets a lot of push back – and rightly so in many ways. But something that we often forget is why he’s travelling all around the ancient world. Is it just because he has a big ego and wants to make a name for himself? Perhaps. But what he was also doing was going from congregation to congregation of God-fearers, Jewish seekers, and Christian converts to take up a collection to provide money for the widows, orphans and poor in Jerusalem. When we meet Paul today in Troas (the ancient Greek city of Troy), it is this work he intends to continue as he travels.
In Troas he is already 700 miles from home; 1200 miles from Jerusalem. We don’t catch this from today’s lectionary reading, but Paul had been attempting to go eastward, but every time he tries, something stops him (he names that “something” the Holy Spirit). After stopping in Troas, he has a vision of a man in Macedonia – a Gentile - asking for help. So, he decides to go westward. He heads northwest to Neapolis and then eventually on to Philippi. It was the church in Philippi to whom the letter to the Philippians is written. This was a congregation Paul came to know and love.
Remember, Paul is looking to raise money. To do that he must find a congregation or synagogue. So, on the sabbath day he, along with his companions Timothy and Silas, head down to the river, outside the city gate, to say prayers. He finds only a group of women to sit and chat with. Now you must bear in mind that while Jews can worship anywhere, to establish a synagogue requires at least 10 men (a minyan). In Philippi, there was no minyan, just a group of Gentile women curious about the Jewish God. So, it was to them he shared Good News.
Lydia, whom the Bible calls a “worshipper of God,” heard Paul’s message with an open heart. It’s significant, I think, that Lydia was herself from Asia Minor. She knew of the God of the Jews and was clearly already open. She was also a dealer in purple cloth.
In the ancient world, it was very difficult to create the colour purple. Marine snails were collected by the thousands and boiled for days in giant vats. Apparently, it stank! This process triggered a chemical reaction in which the snails were transformed into valuable dye. Think of the amount of labour it would take to collect the snails and the capital you would need to buy the vats, purchase the undyed cloth, and then dye the cloth purple, not to mention pay the labourers. It was a huge expense. That Lydia dealt in purple cloth indicates several important things, the foremost of which is that Lydia was rich! Remember Paul’s mission?
Biblical scholars tell us that Lydia was more than likely unmarried and led her own household. In the ancient world, a woman acting as paterfamilias (head of the household with absolute authority) was basically unheard of. As such, she occupied a relatively high place of social status. So, when she was baptized, her entire household was baptized with her. That’s a lot of baptisms! She then invites Paul and his companions to her home to stay with her. Considering Paul’s well-known ambivalent views of women, this is a remarkable moment.
Through her encounter with Paul – far away from Jerusalem and the palpable memory of Jesus’ death – Lydia becomes one of the many mothers of Christianity. She is the first European convert to Christianity and the founder of the church in Philippi. She was also, it is safe to say, an important contributor to Paul’s financial campaign for Jerusalem.
In a couple of weeks, we will celebrate Pentecost. The lectionary is already challenging us to reflect on the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send. What we learn from Paul’s travels to gather a collection for the poor church members in Jerusalem and Lydia’s conversion is that not long after the resurrection, the Holy Spirit – the Advocate – is already preparing people to respond to Good News; already teaching and reminding them what it means to follow the way of Jesus. We see it clearly in how Paul approaches Lydia. Whatever barriers are between them, all of them fall. Gender, class, and race (he is a Jew, and she is a Gentile) – these structural barriers cannot stop the work of the Holy Spirit.
Many years ago – during the Second Gulf War – Jeff and I and a group of parishioners from St. Stephen in-the-Fields joined throngs of Torontonians to protest. Some of you may have been there. As we marched with our Who Would Jesus Bomb? banner, I ran into one of my theology professors – a Jesuit priest. He gave me a big hug and said, “Look around! Isn’t the Holy Spirit so promiscuous?” Isn’t the Holy Spirit so promiscuous? There were people of every race, across class and gender making their voices heard about what collectively they knew was right. I sensed that same “promiscuity” when Jeff and I took Ava to the Every Child Matters march last summer. 1000s of people, from all walks of life, banding together to declare that the loss of these children’s lives to the residential school system will not be forgotten and will not happen again.
Wherever and whenever we get out of our comfort zone; wherever and whenever we open our hearts and our homes – this building – to the stranger; wherever and whenever we reject those obstacles that divide people from each other and the planet – that is where Spirit-filled Good News is. 2000 years later, the question remains: Where is the Holy Spirit leading us and what are they calling us to? Amen.
Silence is kept.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
As we prepare for the prayers of the people, let us hear and reflect on the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (#48): Reconciliation
48. We call upon the church parties to the Settlement Agreement, and all other faith groups and interfaith social justice groups in Canada who have not already done so, to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation. This would include, but not be limited to, the following commitments:
- Ensuring that their institutions, policies, programs, and practices comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Respecting Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination in spiritual matters, including the right to practise, develop, and teach their own spiritual and religious traditions, customs, and ceremonies, consistent with Article 12:1 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Engaging in ongoing public dialogue and actions to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Issuing a statement no later than March 31, 2016, from all religious denominations and faith groups, as to how they will implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Intercessor: Remembering this Call to Action, let us pray to the Lord, saying,
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: May the risen Saviour fill us with the joy of his holy and life-giving resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: In our Anglican Communion cycle of prayer, we pray for Church of the Province of South East Asia. In our diocesan cycle, we pray for Bishop Kevin Robertson. We pray also that isolated and persecuted churches all over the world may find fresh strength in the Easter gospel, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: That the Lord may grant us humility to relate with empathy and patience to others and be responsive in Christian love, especially toward those marginalized by our society; let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: That God, working through us, may sustain the life of this fragile planet. We pray for all communities that are experiencing devastating and unprecedented weather events. As we enter another provincial election cycle, we ask that the needs of a just society will be pursued and fulfilled. We ask for a spirit of generosity that we may provide for those who lack food, work, or shelter, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: By the power of God to turn crooked paths straight, we ask that war, famine, and displacement may cease through all the earth; we offer our prayers and petitions for all the troubled places, especially Ukraine, Sudan, Palestine, Yemen, Ethiopia, and Wet’suwet’en, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: That the light of God’s presence may be revealed to the sick, the weak, and the dying, that they may be comforted and strengthened; we lift up Kim, Donna, Michael, Penny, Enid, Freda, Charlotte, Len, Ann, Michael, Alison, and all those on our hearts either silently or out loud, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: We pray also for all who have died, especially Chung Ja, David, Wayne, Mary, and anyone else on our hearts either silently or out loud, we pray to you, Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: That the Lord may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon God’s people, that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Hear us, Lord of glory!
Intercessor: Lord God, the well-spring of life, pour into our hearts the living water of your grace. By your light we see light. Increase our faith, and grant that we may ever walk in the brightness of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Reconciliation
Celebrant: Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; God welcomes sinners and invites them to this table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.
Silence is kept.
Celebrant: Most merciful God,
People: We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.
Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
As you are able, please stand.
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is indeed right that we should praise you, gracious God, for you created all things. You created us and formed us in your own image. When we turned away from you in sin, you did not cease to care for us, but opened a path of salvation for all people. You made a covenant with Israel, and through your servants Abraham and Sarah gave the promise of a blessing to all nations. Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom; through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation. Therefore, with them, and with all your saints who have served you in every age, we give thanks and raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
Sanctus (Gather #201)
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: Holy God, source of life and goodness, all creation rightly gives you praise. In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Creator of all. He healed the sick and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners; he opened the eyes of the blind and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom to the poor and to those in need. In all things he fulfilled your gracious will. On the night he freely gave himself to death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Gracious God, his perfect sacrifice destroys the power of sin and death; by raising him to life you give us life for evermore.
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Celebrant: Recalling his death, proclaiming his resurrection, and looking for his coming again in glory, we offer you, this bread and this cup. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who eat and drink at this table may be one body and one holy people, a living sacrifice in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant: As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Silence is kept.
Celebrant: Lord, we died with you on the cross.
All: Now we are raised to new life.
Celebrant: We were buried in your tomb.
All: Now we share in your resurrection.
Celebrant: Live in us, that we may live in you.
Angus Dei (Gather #207)
All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Prince of Peace, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Bread of Life, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
Communion Music (CP #73): One Bread, One Body, One Lord of All
Refrain One bread, one body, one Lord of all
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many, throughout the Earth
We are one body in this one Lord
Gentile or Jew, servant or free
Woman or man, no more R
Many the gifts, many the works
One in the Lord of all R
Grain for the fields, scattered and grown
Gathered to one for all R
Come up to the altar following the lead of those ahead of you. If you would like a blessing, as well as, or in place of the bread, indicate this to the priest.
The Silence
A longer silence is kept for listening and reflection.
Prayer after Communion
As you are able, please stand.
Celebrant: O God, you restored us to life by raising your Son from death. May we who receive this sacrament always be strengthened to do your will, in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen.
Celebrant: Glory to God,
All: whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Blessing
Celebrant: May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Closing Hymn (CP #578): O Healing River
O healing river, send down your waters,
send down your waters upon this land.
O healing river, send down your waters,
and wash the blood from off the sand.
This land is parching, this land is burning,
no seed is growing in the barren ground.
O healing river, send down your waters,
O healing river, send your waters down.
Let the seed of freedom awake and flourish,
let the deep roots nourish, let the tall stalks rise.
O healing river, send down your waters,
O healing river, from out of the skies.
Celebrant: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia!
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lunch and Learn – Join us on June 5th right after service to hear Billy Gekas share an abbreviated version of his paper entitled “Walking with Creation’s Medicines and Their Indigenous Knowledge Keepers.” We’ll meet from 11:45 am – 12:25 pm.
Bring your own snacks or a bag lunch.
Reading Group – Through the month of June we will be reading and reflecting on selected sections of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This 1-hour reading group will be held on Zoom beginning on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 7:30 pm. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Alison at alison.hari.singh@utoronto.ca.
Hymns for Ordinary Time – As we approach “ordinary time” in the church’s calendar we are looking to create a repository of favourite hymns. If you have a favourite hymn, please let Rev. Alison or Jane know. We will compile this list and use these selections throughout the next number of months.
Migration Celebration – Shadowland Theatre is partnering with other organizations to create a community celebration of birds this spring! Community workshops will run from June 5-10 at the WIA Clubhouse on Ward's Island from 11am-5pm. This event will culminate with a parade processing along the paths and lagoons from Centre Island to St Andrew by the Lake church grounds on June 12 at 2pm. For more information, see https://www.shadowlandtheatre.ca/migration-celebration.
The Beatitudes in a Time of Violence and War – Voices for Peace presents its fourth annual conference online on May 24th at 7 pm. In this free webinar, Blessed are the Peacemakers author Robert Ellsberg will explore this timely theme. Register online for free: https://www.livemeeting.ca/register/?meet=18719&rel=18825.
Seeking Justice 2022 – Citizens for Public Justice are holding a virtual conference from May 25-27. Participants will explore what it looks like to seek justice within institutions and co-create more just, faithful, and healthy ways of relating to creation and each other. To learn more and register go to: https://cpj.ca/sj2022/.
PWRDF – The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is working support refugees fleeing Ukraine. For more information, go to: https://pwrdf.org/pwrdf-supports-ukrainians-forced-to-flee/.
Tending the Soul: Hopeful Conversations about Ministry in Pandemic – Bishop Andrew is inviting the Diocese to dream together about where God is leading us through this pandemic and beyond. Beginning on March 10th there will be nine hour-long conversations on Thursdays at noon, with a break around Easter. For more information go to: https://www.toronto.anglican.ca/news/conversation-series-invites-diocese-to-dream/.
Ferry Information as of April 15, 2022 - Spring Schedule
9:30 am - Ferry leaves city to Ward’s Island.
9:45 am – Ferry arrives at Ward's dock. Church van available.
10:30 am - Church service begins.
The walk to the church takes around 30 minutes. For other ferry times go to: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/toronto-island-park/all-ferry-schedules/.
If you need a ride, please call Bella at 416-203-4142.
Amber Stage Guidelines (Diocese of Toronto)
Click on the link above to see the Diocesan Guidelines for safe worship in Church under Stage 2 Covid protocols.
- Masks must be worn at all times
- Screening at the door
- You may sit where you are comfortable – allow space to those who desire it
- A single individual may remove their mask for the purpose of liturgical speaking (e.g., reading, preaching, leading said intercessions, making announcements).
- Congregational singing is allowed – please remain masked
- Use hand sanitizer before and after taking the Eucharist
Ways to support St. Andrew’s
· Bring a Friend
· The Collection Plate
· E-Transfer – email: standrewbookings@gmail.com
· PAR - Pre-Authorized Remittance. You direct your bank to deposit your donation into the church account on the 20th of each month. To apply contact Joyce Rogers at standrewbookings@gmail.com.
Canada Helps – Visit the St. Andrew by-the-Lake website, go to the Home Page and click on the Donate button