Easter at St Peter’s

It was on the theme of ‘meals’ that our guests, Douglas and Ann Holt, took us through the Easter story.

We began with Palm Sunday, starting the service in the hall and then processing around the church singing ‘Rise on, ride on in majesty’.

During the service we gave out palm crosses, reminding us of the branches waved to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem – and to his passion and death. So we lifted those palms as we sung ‘Lift high the cross’.

During Holy Week Douglas and Ann shared their thoughts on the various meals that Jesus shared, and we remembered that most special meal of what we now call the eucharist – the last supper He shared with his disciples. On Maundy Thursday we met together as Douglas reminded us of this passover meal which has taken on such great siginificance with the Christian Church.

As part of that evening, Chris and Roz Burch followed the example of Jesus, and washed (a volunteer’s!) feet.

During our meal we followed the traditional Jewish practices of the Passover, and added that of out faith – the eucharist. The bead and wine were consecrated, and then we served our neighbour.

On Good Friday the creative powers of some were exercised and a marvelous Easter Garden was created, centred around the cross and tomb.

Then we met for a time of meditation as we thought of those last hours of Jesus.

The next time we met was on Saturday evening. It was just getting dark as we gathered around a fire to light the Easter Candle and take its light into the church. There, candles were lit from the Easter Candle and we looked forward to celebrating the coming of God’s light on Easter Day.

As part of that evening we were pleased to witness the baptism of Marjorie Beighton.

And then Easter Day came – a time to celebrate and make a great noise, which we did during the Gloria with instruments, keys, anything!

And so this joyful service brought our Easter journey to its end. Our thanks to Douglas and Ann.

Oh! And the Easter Bunny turned up too!