05 April 2010
Journey to Easter Joy
From sombre recollection of the Last Supper and the watch to the joyful celebration of the resurrection - that was Easter at St Cross
The Menu of services at St Cross this year had something for everyone. Meditations and Compline during Holy Week provided quiet space for reflection. On Maundy Thursday we recalled the instructions of Jesus to break bread and share wine in remembrance of him and were moved as we listened to the choir singing Stainer's "God So Loved the World". Then a sombre atmosphere was created with the choir singing Psalm 22 as the altar was stripped. The congregation moved to the North Aisle to sit and reflect as the Lady Chapel was gradually illuminated by candles around the "altar of repose" and the Gospel of the Watch was read.
Easter Crafts on Good Friday morning saw children of all ages being creative and having fun cutting and sticking! The results were saved for Easter Sunday!
The church was open for silent prayer from noon on Good Friday for an hour and people appreciated the space, the freedom to drop in and leave as they needed and the peace.
In our Good Friday liturgy in the afternoon we reflected on the events of the first Good Friday and considered all that binds us and how Jesus breaks through all of the chains that bind us through his self-giving on the cross. We laid our chains in faith at the foot of the cross.
Dawn on Easter Sunday found us in the vicarage garden with a bonfire for the first light and the vigil which led us into the first Eucharist of Easter. As we gathered quietly, there was an amazing outpouring of what sounded like joyful praise from the birds as they offered their dawn chorus which was fantastic to hear as we waited for the sun to come up.
After the first light had been kindled, the Paschal Candle lit and the Eucharist shared, the lit candle was carried carefully into church for the 10 am service. We gathered together in the parish room for a much appreciated breakfast of croissants, pain au chocolat and/or bacon butties!! Sustained by hot strong coffee we awaited our 10 am celebration.
The church was beautiful bedecked with glorious white and yellow flowers! There was great excitement amongst the children as they helped vicar Jayne crack open the Easter eggs to find what was (or was not!) inside!
The joy of surprise was clearly demonstrated as one small boy ran around church showing the congregation what he had found!
Our joyful Eucharist celebrated that Christ was risen indeed and the children joined the procession at the end of the service with their Easter crowns, created at the Easter crafts or during the service that morning.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed Alleluia!
Posted by Julie Withers