Easter Thursday 2021

As Lent came to a close this year, we saw the completion of many capital projects. Since the beginning of the year, the exterior of the church and parish hall have been painted, the interior of the parish hall has been painted, the church walls have been plastered and painted, new doors have been installed in the interior of the church, the Godly Play classroom has been refreshed, new landscaping has been planted fronting the parish hall, exterior gates have been secured and improved, and the choir loft has been given a much needed upgrade and refurbishment.

We still have some remaining projects to complete. The new windows for the working sacristy and rector’s office will not arrive until this summer, and there are a variety of smaller projects that will happen in the coming weeks. Overall the impact of these improvements has been wonderful, giving the property a needed boost. As we celebrated the great three days, I was struck by how beautiful the interior of the church has become. The church has always been a holy space, and now it is even more beautiful. Those magnificent Easter flower arrangements put everything over the top.

These property accomplishments, in concert with the mysteries of Holy Week, along with the good news from vaccines and the receding of the pandemic, have given us a renewed Eastertide vision. Joy has come alive. This week at our online daily offices, the alleluias have had a special ring. We need more alleluias in our world this year, and Easter has a unique brightness in 2021.

This weekend we will be expanding our worship offerings for the congregation. The Saturday night Vigil Mass will return at 5:30 pm, preceded by Vespers at 5:00 pm. On Sundays, Evening Prayer with Eucharistic Devotions (includes Benediction) returns to the church at 5:00 pm. Eventually some music will be added to these offerings. As well, we continue to evaluate our Sunday morning worship as COVID hopefully keeps receding. No changes are happening to Sunday mornings for now, but we will continue to discern what our schedule will be as we have fewer restrictions for worshipping safely.

This Sunday the final hymn sung by the cantor at solemn mass will be “That Easter Day with joy was bright” (Hymn 193). I am truly happy that this Eastertide our joy is bright too. We are regaining our Eastertide vision, and it is marvelous to behold.

Father Paul Lillie +