|
|
A year ago we did not expect to spend another Easter in lockdown but here were are! God’s ways are sometimes mysterious! There are so many things to say about Easter and its meaning that I do not even know where to start. But I’ll say three:
|
1) Easter is the celebration of the new creation “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21.5). It is a feast of new beginnings and hope.
|
2) I’d like to quote St John Chrysostom (ca400):
|
Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
|
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
|
Are there any who are grateful servants?
|
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
|
Are there any weary with fasting?
|
Let them now receive their wages!...
|
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
|
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
|
as well as to him that toiled from the first. …
|
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
|
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
|
3. As a feast of new beginnings and hope, Easter is an invitation to a journey with God and his people. There are too many things to say in one greeting – even one life is too short! Jesus said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ (John 1.38-39)
|
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
|
(Below is the wonderful Easter Cross built from the hopes of our Sunday School and Youth Group)
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERVICES & EVENTS
|
All of our Services can be viewed live on Facebook, or you can click this link to
|
|
|
|
The Order of Service will be posted on the blog of our website and on Facebook
|
|
|
|
The Order of Service will be posted on the blog of our website and on Facebook
|
|
|
|
THURSDAY 8th APRIL EVENING PRAYER
|
6.00pm Click here to join us:
|
(This week we will have a lay person leading Evening Prayer, whilst Father Tuomas has a well deserved post-Easter break!)
|
|
|
|
Easter Coffee Morning on Zoom
Please join us for a friendly cup of coffee and a chat online after the Sunday service as we celebrate Easter Day together!
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday School & Youth Group:
At Online Sunday School last week we used one piece of paper to tell the story of Holy Week...the paper became a palm leaf, a temple, an upper room, a cross, and an empty tomb! We then decorated the cross to reflect what we had learned about Holy Week and Jesus as the Servant King. We are now busy growing
|
|
|
|
The children drew their hopes for Easter on a square of paper as part of our 'Build A Cross' challenge. Their hopes arise from the challenges we are facing during this pandemic but also from the social and environmental problems in our world. We hope you feel uplifted and hopeful with us, that together and with God's help, change will come! A big Thank You to all the children who took part!
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you to Erik & the Chamber Choir ...
for the wonderful music and all the time and preparation that goes into our online services. They have been especially busy during Holy Week. We look forward to welcoming back the full choir when it is safe to do so.
|
|
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS
to Paula Heinisuo who is to be ordained in the Lutheran Church on 25th April. The other happy news is that she is engaged! Please keep her in your prayers.
|
|
|
|
Covid Update: Due to the ongoing pandemic, services will continue online until further notice. We will update you as and when we are able to welcome you back into Church again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRAY WITH US
we see the cost of our sin
|
and the depth of your love:
|
all that we have and all that we are,
|
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
|
This coming Sunday we pray for...
|
The Church of Sweden: Diocese of Uppsala, Archbishop Antje Jackelén, Bishop Karin Johannesson The Church in Wales: Diocese of Llandaff, Bishop June Osborne
|
|
|
|
|
Father Tuomas Mäkipää (050-3099132)
|
|
[Please use the contact emails provided]
|
|
|
|
|