Good Friday - Eastingle

The service this morning was a reflection on the seven things that Jesus said on the cross. Mostly it was based on Seven Words for the 21st Century.  This was the book that formed the basis of the few days we spent at Lee Abbey, last year.  There is much more in it than you can possibly use in one service, and some of it is too detailed to be used in a 40 minute reflection.  Margaret was the preacher, and presented a piece on Mary's thoughts at the cross.  This was particularly well received.  We finished with this youtube clip.
As I had been unwell yesterday and was still not feeling very good, I decided, reluctantly, not to go on the Walk of Witness.  Easter isn't Easter without it really.
If its Good Friday it must be Eastingle.  You can see what I wrote about it last year at the link. Liz lead the service again, but the difference this year was the projector. This meant that even on a sunny afternoon we could easily watch the 3 short clips that tell the essential of the story of Easter. Warner had produced these and had cut and paste pieces from various films both stop motion and real life. They were cut so well the transition was almost imperceptible. It was a very good, enjoyable service.
This year we had about 150 people at the service. Almost all of them had been at Christingle. I overheard part of a conversation as a family left, presumably about their own church. They were saying there is nothing for children on Good Friday. We have at least solved that one.

Good Friday

Happy Easter!
Easter is the most important festival of the year for the church. I seem to get to preach on Good Friday, so here's todays offering. The weather was lovely for the walk of witness, so there was a reasonably good turn out. We finished in Emanuel Church this year.

Good Friday

Definitely a good Friday. Some sort of normality, although I must get used to the new world that I live in. As Warner is still unwell, I lead a very small gathering for the Agape meal at church, meant for those not in home groups, but has been very well attended in some years. Today I preached at the Good Friday service, and had spent a couple of days during the week preparing - a new experience for me, usually I prepare more in advance than that, because I have to.

The background to this is that on Monday I was made redundant, so I am now out of work - seeking employment.

On Sunday, I will lead the 10:00, which will be happening at 9:30, so that Annabel can preside at communion, when she leaves to celebrate at her own church at about 10:00, I will take over. I'm sure it will be an unusual experience, but I am quite looking froward to it.

Friday, April 6th@ 10:00am at Christ Church and later - Good Friday

"Why do we have eggs at Easter?"
"It reminds us of the birth of Jesus"

Eh?

Its one of those school children answers, that is designed to show us how little children 'these days' know.

If you had been in Billericay this morning - out shopping in the spring sunshine - complaining about the traffic jam perhaps, or wondering why all the police are about, you might have come across a different question and a different answer. If you were in the town at the right time you'd certainly know that some people believe something different about Easter, because you would have seen the now traditional walk of witness. This has been happening now for a number of years - certainly all the time that I've been a Christian. Crosses are carried through the town, banners explain whats going on, people walk in silence.

Today we remember the crucifixion - the day that Jesus was killed. Before the walk we had a short service at church at which Tony Campolo's famous sermon was mentioned "Its Friday - - but Sunday's coming". After the walk, another mention of the same sermon in Emmanuel at the CTB service. The anticipation of Sunday - something to keep us going through the long dark Friday.

Why is it called Good Friday? Why would the day on which the created attempt to eliminate the creator be called Good? Well language has a long and torturous heritage. Like 'Goodbye' its an evolved phrase. Goodbye was 'God be with you'. Good Friday was God Friday (follow the link to the Wiki article). The Chinese call it "Jesus' crucifixion day" - can't get clearer than that.

So Liz, there you have it!

While digging around, I came across this "Son of God". Always good to remember the C.S.Lewis quote.

I was just going to write the words to 'Hallelujah, my Father', because we sang them last night at the Maundy Thursday service, after the Agape Meal, and then again this morning, and they are very appropriate, but there's always more to say ....

Its Friday, but Sundays's coming. (TRUE. but it doesn't stop me blogging on Saturday)