The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter Gabriel Max, 1878
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

I remember the first time I saw this painting in Montréal, and how moved I was. As I stood before the canvas and took in the scene, two things in particular struck me … the fly on the arm of the lifeless girl, and the gentleness of Jesus taking her hand in his. Is this the moment just before the words ‘Talitha cumi’ are spoken? This morning we arrive at two interwoven stories (Mark 5: 21-43), one of a girl and one of a woman. Both involve a healing touch. Both demonstrate how the power of the Holy One flowed through Jesus to individuals vulnerable and on the periphery. The first generation of Christians who treasured these stories did so to communicate their own experience of the Risen Lord in their midst, their own experience of the struggles and joys of faith. And so this Sunday we continue to explore what it means to be a Christian today through this journey of the Gospel according to Mark. If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join us. Certified child care is offered during the service and a programme for young children also. After the service a time of fellowship over tea or coffee, so please linger if you can and allow us to introduce ourselves more fully. There is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street. There is a wheelchair lift inside the doors to St. Andrew’s Hall from the church parking lot mid way along Clergy Street, and hearing assist devices are available upon request from an usher.  Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below, and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service.

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Next Sunday, Mark 6: 30-44!