May 13, 2026
The Seventh Sunday of Easter is a time of transition between Ascension and Pentecost, focusing on the
themes of waiting, unity, and mission. It highlights Jesus’ prayer for his followers to be one, just as he and the Father are one, as they prepare to receive the Holy Spirit and carry on his work.
Key reflections on this Sunday often center on:
- Unity and Mission: Jesus prays for the unity of his disciples, emphasizing that this unity is crucial for their mission to witness to the world.
- The “Between” Time: The period after Jesus’ Ascension but before the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which is a time for prayer, reflection, and deepening of faith, rather than fear.
- Ongoing Presence: While Jesus is physically gone, the promise of the Holy Spirit assures believers that he remains with them, empowering them to act with love, gentleness, and humility.
- Completion and Commissioning: Jesus reports to the Father that he has completed his earthly work, transferring the responsibility to his disciples to continue his mission. This Sunday serves as a reminder to work toward unity among all Christians, resisting divisions in the community, and to actively live out the Gospel in the world.
- For the 7th Sunday of Easter the readings focus on Jesus’s priestly prayer for his disciples and the early church awaiting the Holy Spirit. Key verses include Jesus’s plea for unity (“that they may be one”) in John 17:11-21,
- Peter’s encouragement to persevere in 1 Peter 4:13, and the apostles praying in the upper room in Acts 1:14.
- John 17:1: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you.”
- John 17:3: “And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
- John 17:11: “And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”
- John 17:21: “…so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you…”
Worship Calendar
May 17 / God with Us – and in Us / John 14:15-27 / Rev. Eric Lee
May 24 / The Wild Wonder of Pentecost / Matthew 28:18-20 & Acts 2:1-21 / Rev. Eric Lee
May 31 / More than an Observer / John 3:1-17 / Rev. Eric Lee
June 7 / Communion
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Common Scents
Please be advised that our church has a scent-free protocol. It seems that some of our dear parishioners feel unwell due to heavy floral smells. Please be considerate of those in our congregation who are affected by strong smells and odors and refrain from perfumes or colognes when coming to worship on Sunday mornings. Thank you one and all.
A Spring Devotional Update (March 22)
A new edition of These Days (April/May/June), as well as the current edition of Our Daily
Bread (March/April/May) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
Coffee Sign-Up
May17 – Carol & Iris
May 24 – Margaret & Robyn
May 31 – Earl & Jackie
June 7 – Susan & Kathy
Please note: Effective June 14 we will be serving lemonade at the Fellowship time after worship. If you are so inclined to donate a box or 2 of cookies to help cover the summer months, it would be very much appreciated.
Please give your donations to Kathy or Susan so that we can store them safely during the summer months.