Church Services have been Cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic

A Special Message and Sermon from Reverend Shelley McVea

Reverend Shelley McVea’s sermon for the third Sunday of Lent (Sunday, 15 March 2020) was delivered today in an empty church and recorded so that you would be able to hear it, even though we will not be meeting in person at church. At this time all church services and events have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

In this brief sermon, Reverend Shelley begins by reading an extraordinary poem, “Pandemic” written by Reverend Lynn Unger ( http://www.lynnungar.com/poems/ )

Pandemic

What if you thought of it

as the Jews consider the Sabbath—

the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel.

Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now,

on trying to make the world

different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those

to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

And when your body has become still,

reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected

in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

(You could hardly deny it now.)

Know that our lives

are in one another’s hands.

(Surely, that has come clear.)

Do not reach out your hands.

Reach out your heart.

Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils

of compassion that move, invisibly,

where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love–

for better or for worse,

in sickness and in health,

so long as we all shall live.

–Lynn Ungar 3/11/20

Reverend Shelley then reviews the scriptures for Sunday, March 15, 2020 with us. The readings are:

• Exodus 17:1-7

• Romans 5:1-11

• John 4:5-42

• Psalm 95

Please continue to pray for all of us going through this difficult time. Petra Asfaw has provided the following text for the PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE for today, Sunday March 15, 2020.

The President of the United States has asked all citizens to join today in a day of prayer for the coronavirus, today, Sunday, March 15.

The Most Rev. Dr. Foley Beach, Archbishop and Primate, Anglican Church in North America invited us as a Province, to join in this effort, whether from Canada, the U.S., or Mexico. He asked us this Sunday to pray and fast for our nations, repenting of our sins and asking God’s forgiveness,

• asking God’s intervention to stop the spread of this virus

• asking God for healing for those who are sick

• asking God to use us, his people, as agents of love and compassion

• asking God to draw people to himself through the saving power of Jesus on the cross

He also asked us to remember the words God gave to Solomon:

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

In Christ Jesus,

I also ask for your prayers for our church here in Canada, and its leaders and for discernment as they continue to make hard decisions for our benefit. We ask for your blessings on the Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop of Toronto and let us keep the Provincial House of Bishops and the College of Bishops for the Diocese of Toronto in our prayers.

As the Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil wrote: “Although we cannot gather for corporate worship, it has never been more important that we lift our prayers and praises to a merciful God, and to exercise care and charity for ourselves and our neighbours. Please continue in your personal devotions, privately and with your family, particularly on Sunday.

Pray for this situation and for those most affected by it, especially the sick. Check in by telephone or email with others, particularly the isolated and vulnerable.

This has been a remarkable time in our life together. Please continue to work to uphold the Light of Christ as we journey through this Season of Lent.”

Today and this week, let us also pray for:

• The Church of the Province of Uganda in the Anglican Cycle,

• The Council of General Synod in the(continued)