Sunday’s Coming 83

Greetings. This Sunday we look at the story from Acts where Phillip meets the Ethiopian and shares the good news with him. Acts 8: 26-40.

On Thursday afternoon Briarwood’s very first minister, Rev. Cousens, dropped by the church with Mrs. Cousens. (See photo below.) We had a long discussion about the early years and how he worked to help initially grow the congregation. He remembers going door to door to 100’s of houses!

A song for the 11:30 a.m. service:
From the Inside Out

A hymn for the 10 a.m. service:
Holy, Holy, Holy

Best wishes,
Greg

Sunday’s Coming 82

Friends
This is a bitter-sweet Sunday because at both services on April 22nd we say thank you and officially goodbye to Amanda Henderson, who has been an In-Ministry-Year student from The Presbyterian College.

We continue with the Book of Acts, 4: 5-12, with special prayers on Earth Day weekend. At the 11:30 am service, Amanda will share her story of faith.

Here is a hymn and a song for Sunday:
Crown him with many crowns
Not a God

This week we remember,
the family of Oliver C.

Best wishes
Greg

Sunday’s Coming 81

Greetings.
Thank you to everyone for a great Easter weekend, especially to Alejandro Duran and the choir, and Stevie Pemberton and band, for all the wonderful music. Between the Youth Vigil and Easter Sunday morning, Briarwood welcomed 372 people, including 47 children, for worship and prayer.

I have been on study leave this week, so on Sunday The Rev. Dr. John Vissers will lead in worship at the 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. services. We begin a series on the Book of Acts: how the first followers of Jesus responded to the Resurrection and how the Christian church formed around the Mediterranean basin and beyond, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

NEW: This week there will be a light lunch for all after the 10 a.m. service ($2).

This week we remember,
Oliver C.’s family
Elias S., undergoing surgery

The risen Jesus attend us all.

Best

Greg

Sunday’s Coming 80

Greetings.
This Holy Week we remember the death and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in several ways:
Tonight’s Maundy Thursday all-night Youth Vigil. 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.;
Good Friday Morning’s all-ages 11 a.m. service with guitar, dejembe, stand-up bass and three response stations, featuring 7 readers under 12 and 2 in high school;
Good Friday Night’s 7:30 p.m. service reading through the Gospel of Mark 14-15, with choir, organ, oboe and ‘cello;
the 7 a.m. Easter Sunrise service at the Pointe-Claire windmill with 200 other Christians from the West Island;
Briarwood’s 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Easter services later Sunday morning.

Here is music featured on Friday. Click on each title to listen.
Lead Me to the Cross
My Song is Love Unknown

On Sunday:
Jesus Christ is risen today
Glorious Day

Please mark April 21st on your calendar for a special set of 6 workshops the Presbyterian Church in Canada’s The Vine is hosting at Briarwood. Speak with Judy Pemberton. More information and registration here.

Please be praying this week for Oliver C. and his family and the nomination of elders happening for this congregation right now.

The love of Good Friday
and the hope of Easter
to everyone.

Blessing,
Greg

One of Briarwood’s M.I.A.s Moderator Elect

Great news this morning from the Presbyterian Church offices: one of Briarwood’s Ministers-in-Association is Moderator elect of the 138th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. See article about The Rev. Dr. John Vissers here.

F.A.Q.s on Briarwood’s Two Services

Briarwood’s Worship and Music Committee recently published a list of answers to frequently asked questions about Briarwood’s two services. I attach them here for anyone who is interested.