Easter Flowers Entrance 1 2 7 8 9 13 11 10 6 5 4 3 12
Location Theme Person responsible 1 Porch Jane Batts 2 Porch Jane Batts 3 Angels Roll the Stone Sara Banks 4 Empty Tomb Joanna Hewitt 5 Mary Magdalene Fr Graham & Iona 6 Emmaus Road Ann White 7 Thomas Pat Ryan 8 Beach Breakfast Euan 9 Our Lady Leon Soares 10 Easter Garden Explore Easter Children 11 Pedestal Salome Jayaratnam 12 St James (our Patron) Leon Soares 13 Pedestal Anne Murray A big thank you to the whole team for working so well together
Angels roll away the stone Matthew 28:2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. They had sealed the stone and set a watch, thinking that they had seen the last of Jesus. God broke through their strongest guard with the power of his love. Nothing could hold back the new love that had come into the world to overcome death for ever. Give thanks for a Saviour who can break through the strongest of defences yet chooses to come gently, with love and compassion; who can come in earthquake, wind, fire, and yet chooses the still, small, voice of calm.
Empty Tomb Luke 24:2-3 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. His friends had sorrowfully laid the in the tomb a body broken with suffering and certified as dead. Now the morning brought a new revelation that this had not been the end. The stone that had closed upon their hope had opened upon a hope greater than they had ever known. Give thanks for the unexpected joys of live for the impossible seeming problems which unexpectedly get resolved; the renewal of hope lost within despair; the opening of new ways in God s purpose for our lives.
Mary Magdalene John 20:16,18 Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to him in Hebrew, Rabbouni! (which means Teacher). Mary Magdalene must have felt lonely and helpless. There are various traditions which have sprung up around Mary s background, but in many ways that is irrelevant the one she had loved greatly was gone, her love unable to reach him. But suddenly it changes Mary was to become the first witness to Salvation, and was to bring the Good News (the Gospel) to the disciples. Acknowledge Christ s presence in our lives, and the transformative effect it can have. Give thanks for the healing of body and mind, for the living power which dispels the darkness in our lives.
Emmaus Road Luke 24:30-31 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him...as they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over. So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. Two of the disciples walked and talked with Jesus for a while before recognising him. It was only when he sat down with them to eat that the familiar actions revealed who he truly was. Give thanks for the Eucharist, in which we are united with Jesus Christ in the broken bread and poured wine. Praise God for the sacrament in which we receive his grace and strength.
Thomas John 20:29 Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. Thomas was a pessimist. Not so much an unbeliever, but someone who could not believe that the future could hold anything good. He would not accept the word of the other disciples, but insisted on seeing for himself. However, on seeing Christ, that doubt was immediately replaced with confession My Lord, and my God. Give thanks for all the signs of Christ s resurrection for the Church throughout the centuries, confessing the truth of the risen Christ, even amidst persecution and oppression. Pray for those who are persecuted today for confessing their faith in Christ crucified.
Beach Breakfast John 21: 4,9 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus..When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. The disciples returned to Galilee and went about their former work. The Lord, who they had left in Jerusalem, was there before them as he had promised. God and Lord of all, he still came to them to serve, preparing a meal for them to eat. Give thanks for food. Praise God for sustaining and supplying our needs. Praise him because he holds all things in his power, and yet cares for each of us, keeping us in life now, yet leading us towards everlasting life.
Church Flowers Team E veryone is welcome to join us in creating and maintaining the floral arrangements in the church. For special services like Christmas, Easter or our Patronal Festival, we like to make a special fuss and gather people of all ages to decorate the church with flowers, fabrics and other materials. No experience is necessary just enthusiasm and a desire to help use flowers and other materials to enhance our Worship of God. For more information, please contact Melanie Love, pa@busheyparish.org Find us on Facebook! Twitter @StJamessBushey