Doubting Thomas. Adriaen van der Werff, 1710, Rotterdam.
“But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’”
~John 20:24-29
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’”
~John 20:24-29
We welcome you to our Sunday service, in-person or online. We hope that how ever you worship, you feel that you are a part of our community of faith. When we gather we become the body of Christ and can work together to offer hope to those in need of it the most. As a community we care for each other and are stronger with the Spirit directing us all.
This week we take a look at faith. Faith is easy to say but sometimes difficult to practice. Our senses inform us to perceive, see and know something before we believe it. Yet as Christians, we are asked to believe when none of us has ever actually experienced Jesus in person. We didn’t have the chance to ask to see Jesus after he rose from the dead as Thomas did. However, even now, centuries after that time, we still have the opportunity to meet him through faith, in what we have been taught by those who went before us.
This is the first Sunday in April. As is the custom at St. Andrew’s, we will be sharing Communion. It is the practice of the congregation to wait until the elements are distributed to everyone, and then partake together. If you are not comfortable taking the bread and an individual cup from a common tray, please feel free to bring your own elements from home so that you may commune with us. And, if you are worshipping from home via the livestream, perhaps take a moment before the service to prepare some bread and a cup so that you also may participate in Communion with us
Organ preludes will begin around 10:25 a.m. and the service will commence at 10:30 a.m. The link for this morning’s service is: https://youtube.com/live/TXdQ6_7xlZU?feature=share
Previous services can be found on the St. Andrew’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/StAndrewsPresbyterianChurchKingston
Have a look at the Order of Service, scripture readings, hymn lyrics and announcements below – this electronic form includes hyperlinks for easy connection, but you can print the pages if you wish for reference as the hour unfolds, or even through the week. We invite you to join in worship, study and service as you are able.