Assistant Priest's News - 12 April 2026

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The Incredulity of Thomas 1308-1311 : Duccio, di Buoninsegna, 1319? – — *The Incredulity of Thomas* 1308-1311 : Duccio, di Buoninsegna, 1319? –

We gather at services this weekend to renew and deepen our trust in God. We know our faith is not as strong as it should be; but faith does not come because we have seen, it comes because we have heard the Lord’s word, and having heard it, we trust in that revelation.

This week’s Gospel has been echoing through my days — that moment when the risen Christ steps into a room full of fear and simply says, “Peace be with you.” No knocking. No reprimand. Just the quiet authority of a Lord who walks through every locked door we build.

And perhaps it struck me so deeply because of what parish life held this week.

I had the joy of celebrating the wedding of Georgia and Luke — a day overflowing with beauty, family, and the kind of hope that reminds us why the Church gathers at all. Watching them speak their vows in our sanctuary I was reminded that love, too, is a door Christ walks through. He enters our promises, our beginnings, our fragile hopes, and speaks peace into them.

But almost in the same breath, I was called from the celebration to the hospital bedside of a friend, to pray the sacred rites of commendation. From nuptial joy to holy vigil. From the mirth and joy of a wedding to the quiet of a room where breath grows thin and family draw near.

Two moments. Two thresholds. Two very different human experiences. And yet Christ walked into both. This is the mystery of parish life — we stand at the altar of joy and the bedside of sorrow, sometimes within the same hour. And in each place, the risen Christ speaks the same word: peace. Not the peace of ease or escape, but the peace that holds steady through every season of life.

Music for the Second Sunday of Easter

SUNDAY 12 APRIL 2026

10.00 AM CHORAL EUCHARIST

Prelude: Voluntary in D minor Z 718 – Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Hymns: Christ the Lord is risen again!

Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us

Jesu, my Lord, my God, my all

Guide me, O Thou great redeemer

Setting: Parish Eucharist – Michael Dudman (1938-1994)

Psalm: 16 (NPCW)

Anthem: Rejoice in the Lord alway – Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Motet: Christ ist erstanden – Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)

Postlude: Christ ist erstanden BWV 627 - J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

6.00 PM CHORAL EVENSONG

Prelude: 'Second Entr'acte' to Rosamunde – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) (arr. W.T. Best)

Hymns: The Lord is King!

The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended

Responses: Ferial

Psalm: 114 (RSCM)

Canticles: Plainsong

Anthem: Ave Maria – Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Postlude: Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist BWV 671 – J.S. Bach (1685-1750

Our silent auction concludes this weekend immediately after the Sunday 10am service. Thank you to all those who have donated or placed bids. Please check on your bids to see if you have been out-bid and consider raising your pledge.

Stunning floral decorations for the wedding of Georgia and Luke provided by Georgia's father - Churchwarden Ken Whelan.

Vicar's holiday

The Vicar is on leave for 3 weeks. He is available on-line through various apps during this period if you need to contact him or email vicar@standrewsbrighton.org.au. If you are minded to follow his exploits, then his daily travel blog is fatherm.com