This Sunday, we welcome Sharon Beckstead as organist and choir director while Matt is away. Our theme today is Peace, and we will hear Makiko’s anthem Kamome (Seagulls) as we mark Asian Heritage Month (the translation is later in the email).
Last week, we turned to the poetry of T.S. Eliot as we reflected on the language of Revelation. This week, we will turn to the poetry of Korean poet Ko Un as we think about Jesus’ gift of peace.
Looking Ahead:
On May 29 we continue our Healing Series by reflecting on the healing power of Music. We are also planning for a small role reversal, as Matt leads our prayers and Emily plays for our sung prayer response!
The Ontario government announced that the masking requirement for vulnerable settings would be extended to June 11th. Listening to many concerns in our congregation as well as this extension of the masking requirements, we want to assure you that we are extending our own masking requirement for worship and singing as well.
Please note that our expanded distancing section is also still in place. We encourage you to sit in the part of the sanctuary where every other pew is roped off if you wish to distance – and not to sit near anyone else who is seated in this section.
This Sunday Morning we have two different opportunities to gather:
9:30 – All Ages Story Time (church lawn) 10:30 – Worship (in-person, Zoom, and YouTube)
This Sunday our Junior Choir will be singing the anthem “Listen to the Music” and our Chancel choir will sing “In Time of Silver Rain.” Our hymns include “In the Bulb There is a Flower.”
Our scripture and reflection turn to one of the women in scripture: Lydia, who appears in the Acts of the Apostles and is considered the first Christian convert in Europe. Lydia responds with hospitality – open hearts lead to open doors.
The story offers us a touchstone for our Mother’s Day and Christian Family Sunday worship.
Remember that you are invited for Story Time on the church lawn at 9:30am – picture books often have values, themes, art, and spiritual practices that can speak to old and young alike.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, May 15 is our next In the Wild gathering at 9:15am, followed by our weekly worship service at 10:30am: “The Beginning and the End.” We will hear some verses from Revelation, as well as some of Jesus’ words about love.
Join us this Morning for some or all of our Community Breakfast, Worship, and Annual General Meeting!
10:00 – Community Breakfast (church lawn and Zoom) 10:45 – Worship (in-person, Zoom, and YouTube) 11:30 – Congregational Meeting (in-person and Zoom) 11:45 – Desserts and Conversation (church lawn)
10am Community Breakfast – In addition to breakfast, we will have cards for the congregation to sign, chalk to decorate our church sidewalks, and an opportunity to discuss and offer feedback on church priorities and a Leaside Community Prayer (more information below). All ages very welcome – come to the church lawn or Zoom, even if you cannot stay for worship.
10:45am Worship – We’ll hear a story of Jesus sharing a meal with the disciples, as we think about what our Mission is as a church. Our music includes the beautiful anthem “For the Beauty of the Earth” and the hymn “Now the Green Blade Rises.” We will also mark Mental Health Sunday with a Litany of Naming and another Small Spiritual Practice.
AGM – Directly following worship we will hold our AGM. Those participating on Zoom will be able to relay questions or comments. You are also welcome to send us any ahead of time (emily@leasideuc.com)
Dessert – Following the Meeting join us on the Church lawn once again for continued conversation and a sweet end to the morning!
Looking Ahead Sunday, May 8 will be our first Story Time at 9:30am on the church lawn. There are some beautiful picture books that can be enjoyed for both their art and their message by all ages. Come for this all ages gathering before our 10:30am Mother’s Day service, featuring our Junior Choir as well as our Chancel Choir!
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