Blessings as you come near the end of your Lenten journeys. However, although our destination is in sight the most difficult part of our trip lies ahead. We begin this Sunday by celebrating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but before we leave this day we will have heard the Passion Narrative, a recollection of Jesus' suffering and death on a cross on Calvary Hill. And although it may be uncomfortable it is still necessary. So we continue our walk this week with our Lord, celebrating the triumph, recognizing and responding to our own weaknesses, joining with Jesus and the disciples in His act of service at the Last Supper, and finally in being there to witness the ultimate act of love, the giving of his own life that he might bring life to the world. Continue your journey as we commemorate these points along the way with the following liturgies that will take place in our church this week:

Wed. 7.00 P.M. Mid-Week Lenten Service
Thurs. 7:00 P.M. Maundy Thursday (Commemoration of the Last Supper)
Fri. 10:00 A.M. Good Friday (Passion Play)
Sun. 9:00 A.M. Easter Sunday - St. Andrew's
9:00 A.M. Easter Sunday - St Luke's
10:30 A.M. Easter Sunday - St. Andrew's

The Easter Sunday service at St. Luke's will be the last service at that church before it is deconsecrated. we look forward to a wonderful celebration and on that day we will baptize
Mark Douglas Otto, presenting a wonderful sign of the presence of the Risen Lord, and the triumph of the resurrection and life over death. Please keep Mark Douglas and his parents and sponsors in your prayers this week.

Clergy from throughout the diocese were invited to prepare themselves for this journey by attending a clergy conference Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. We were led to reflect on our baptismal vows and our vows of ordination. On Thursday we renewed the vows we made when we became priests. There is always something special about this time, not that we can be made new, but that we are reminded of the call that burned within us, and that we can re-commit ourselves to the service of priestly ministry to which we have been ordained.

I was pleased to visit the hospital this week, and even more pleased to find out that no one from our parish was in hospital at that time. If you or someone you know from the parish is going into hospital or simply would like a visit from the rector please do not hesitate to contact me. In addition to my hospital visit I was pleased to make one pastoral visit at a parishioners home.

Saturday it was our parish's turn to provide at St. Georges Soup Kitchen. As I have said before this is one of the most meaningful ministries that we are a part of. To all those who work for and support this cause thank you. As we begin Holy Week, remembering that our Lord said 'I come to serve, not to be served' we have preached the gospel with our actions.

Thanks also to all who took time to prepare the palm crosses for our service this morning. So much takes place behind the scenes to make our services possible and it often goes unnoticed. But palm crosses, clean surroundings, and altar hangings that correspond to the liturgical colour of the day do not appear without the labour of human hands, and out of a sense of service to our Lord's Church.

May God's blessing be with us as we make our this week through the darkness, that we may gather next week to celebrate the joy and promise of Easter.
Rev. Mike