Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The strife is o’er, the battle done; now is the victor’s triumph won; O let the song of praise be sung Alleluia! (Hymn 135 Verse 1) A
CHRISTIANS around the world will be celebrating the Feast of the Resurrection (also known as Easter Day) on Sunday.
It will complete the journey that began on Ash Wednesday with the sign of ashes, an ancient sign, speaking to the frailty and uncertainty of human life.
During Lent we have been preparing for the victory and joy of Easter. The Resurrection is celebrated as a time when we remember when and how our Lord Jesus passed from death to life – the paschal mystery.
During this Holy Week we follow Him from the glory of the palms to the glory of the Resurrection by way of the dark road of suffering and death through the Resurrection, when Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him.
A very important point that we must bear in mind is that if there was no resurrection, then there would be no Christianity. St Paul questioned the Christians at Corinth about what they would be practising of Christ if he was not risen from the dead.
In our Lord’s ministry, He pointed to his resurrection when He publicly stated that He would destroy and build in three days, but many followers did not take him seriously.
We are bound to give thanks and praise to God for the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord for He is the true paschal lamb who was sacrificed for us to take away the sins of the world. By His death he destroyed death and by His life again He has won eternal life.
Good Friday
Selected Anglican clergy assignments on Good Friday at noon services: The Lord Bishop Dr John Holder, St James; Canon George Knight, The Cathedral; Canon Dr Geoffrey Mayers, St John; Canon Curtis Goodridge, St Christopher; Canon George Harewood, St Augustine; Canon Austin Carrington, St Lawrence; Canon Henderson Guy, St Lucy; Canon Errington Massiah, All Saints; Rev. Von Watson, St Luke; Rev. Selven Lowe, St Mark; Rev. Bryan Thompson, St Aidan; Rev. Susan Ellis, St Stephen.
Sunrise service
The annual Good Friday sunrise service of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) will be held at its headquarters, Farm Road, Deacons, St. Michael at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Concert
The St Michael’s Cathedral choir presents Handel’s Messiah Part II tomorrow (Good Friday) at the cathedral at 8:00 p.m.
Festival
The Church of the Resurrection will begin its patronal festival on Sunday with Easter Day procession and solemn Eucharist at 8 a.m. Special services will continue on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. A movie night will be held next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Fair
The St George Parish Church will be holding its annual fair on Saturday, April 29, on the rectory grounds from 12 noon to 7 p.m.
Recital
Easter with the Myriad Singers will be held on Sunday, April 30, at St Mathias Church, at 6 p.m. The organist will be John Bryan while the conductor will be Andrew Lokey.