Our Easter Weekend

What an amazing week we have had at the cathedral. On Good Friday I attended the devotional service at mid-day when hymns, Bible readings, poems and meditations were said by our Acting Dean, Bishop Graeme. It was lovely to spend some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of shoppers and the commercialism that Easter seems to promote. While I quite understand that it is essential for people to have a break from work, I prefer to spend some quiet time thinking about the significance of Good Friday for our individual lives. I love to sit quietly and meditate on God’s word in the peace and silence inside the cathedral building that has stood the test of time for hundreds of years built simply for the purpose of worshipping God.

Our Easter Saturday vigil began with a huge firepit outside the cathedral by the cloisters where the Easter Paschal candle was lit. We then processed into the cathedral in darkness and were given a candle each, while we sat to listen to the traditional Bible readings of the journey of God’s people from the Old and the New Testaments. Halfway through the service the lights came on with a musically resounding and dramatic exclamation that ‘Christ is Risen!’ The rest of the service celebrated the baptism and confirmation of many people both old and young.

On Easter Sunday Ish and I felt privileged to help serve at the Eucharist you can just about spot us behind the candle bearers. It was a really joyful atmosphere as people crowded into the cathedral to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, to renew our baptismal vows and to receive Communion. What an amazing weekend of praise and worship to God.

We sat down last night and shared a delicious Easter meal with our family, excited, tired but very happy. Christ is risen, He is risen indeed – Alleluia!

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus, words can never adequately express our grateful thanks for your sacrifice on the cross and the joy of your resurrection. Help us now to go from strength to strength, in the power of your Holy Spirit and to love and serve you all the days of our lives.

Amen

One of my favourite Ish songs is Oh the Peace you can read or sing it as a prayer:

Oh the peace that came into the world

In a stall in Bethlehem

The Son of God left Heaven’s glory

Came to earth to dwell with men.

And Jesus said that those who follow him

Will never die will always live

Here on earth, they’ll know amazing peace

Peace that only Christ can give.

Oh the love that came into the world

On a cross at Calvary

The Son of God showed grace and mercy

As He died for you and me

And Jesus said that those who follow him

Will never die will always live

Here on earth, they’ll know amazing love

Love that only Christ can give.

Oh the joy that came into the world

On that resurrection day

The Son of God He rose victorious                

Took the sting of death away

And Jesus said that those who follow him

Will never die will always live

Here on earth, they’ll know amazing joy

Joy that only Christ can give.

And Jesus said that those who follow him

Will never die will always live

Here on earth, they’ll know amazing peace

Peace that only Christ can give.

Oh the Peace song is taken from Ish’s Songs and Hymns album