Dear Friends in the Parish of All Saints, S. Grenville,
In the 27th Chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew we stand beneath the Cross. There is darkness at noon. The earth trembles as creation acknowledges the death of its Creator, the Christ. Here our Lord enters the fulness of humankind, taking upon himself the weight of human suffering and sorrow to reveal to our hardened hearts God’s love for us. His cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is not the end of hope, but the depth of love poured out for the world.
At the moment of his death the curtain of the Temple at Jerusalem is torn in two. The way into God’s presence is opened. What was once distant is now near; what was barred is now given freely through Christ. Even the Roman centurion confesses, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Grace is revealed in the crucified one.
As we keep this Holy Week and The Sunday of Resurrection, let us not turn away from the Cross, but behold in it the mercy of God. From this place of death springs the promise of new life when Christ is Risen from the Dead.
Please join us for Palm Sunday and Holy Week as we worship and visit again in Word and Sacrament the great mysteries of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Palm Sunday March 29th 10:30 at St. John, Prescott – All Parish Combined Eucharist with Luncheon
Maundy Thursday April 2nd 5:30pm St. John, Prescott – Dinner and Holy Eucharist in Parish Hall Please bring a dish to share. Invite a friend. Everyone is Welcome!
Good Friday April 3rd 3:30pm St. James, Maitland Service of the Word – The 7 Last Words of Christ from the Cross
The Great Vigil of Easter Saturday, April 4th 8:00pm Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s, Cardinal
The Sunday of the Resurrection April 5th
Holy Eucharist – 9:00am St John, Prescott Rev’d Jon Lavelle
Holy Eucharist – 9:30am St. Paul’s, Cardinal Rev’d Barbara Robinson
Holy Eucharist –11:00am St. James, Maitland Rev’d Jon Lavelle
May we walk in that promise, trusting that no darkness can overcome the light of Christ. May the Lord grant us courage to love, forgive, and serve, until creation is made new in Him.
Rev’d Jon F. Lavelle