Sunday Reflection: In the days after the Crucifixion, the apostles were in a locked room, hiding from their enemies and trying to figure out their next steps. Jesus suddenly appears to them, and rejoices, prays, and blesses them. But Thomas was away, perhaps running an errand, picking up the milk and bread. He missed out.

Was he a “doubting Thomas?” Perhaps he was simply the unlucky Thomas, missing out on the coolest thing that had happened in centuries. Did he truly “doubt” Jesus’ resurrection when he heard about it from his friends? Perhaps he is shocked or scared or confused Thomas, in the middle of the cognitive dissonance that comes from trying to believe something impossible.

This story about Thomas is a quintessential lesson that God acts in ways which are unexpected and impossible. Faithful Christians today are called to believe in the Risen Christ without using our physical senses to experience Jesus’s resurrected body in the flesh. But in miracles big and small, Christ appears in ways which don’t make any sense to us and blows away our expectations. Jesus blesses us if we “have not seen and yet have come to believe” – even if what we believe is impossible.

• When have you been surprised by God’s presence?
• In what ways do you or do you not relate to Thomas?

 (From: Sermon That Works)

Prayer: Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred:  open the doors of our hearts, so that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God, the Source of all life.Amen.(Trial Use Collects)

Rector’s Message: I would like to thank all church members for supporting our Easter “spaghetti night”fellowship. A special thank you to Clark and Martha for hosting this event.

On behalf of the members of church council, I would like to thank you all for participating at our Easter church services. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to all church members who have invited their families and friends to attend our Easter Sunday services. We had eight guests/family members at our 10am service. Please continue to invite people to the various ministries which our parish offers.

Today, after the 10am service, during coffee hour, we will have a consultation on the proposed magnetic car sign for St. Michael’s 60^thanniversary. We would appreciate if you could stay and engage for this momentary conversation.

Bible Study will resume on Tuesday, May 21^st, 6:00pm, preceded by evening prayer. Our focus will be on a few stories about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All welcome. Invite a friend.