Vicar's Letter - April

Dear friends,

This month we will continue our journey towards Easter, beginning on Palm Sunday and then have the opportunity, during Holy Week, to gather together every day, to pray, worship and reflect until we arrive at the joy of Easter Day, when we will proclaim, ‘Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!’. Details of all our Holy Week and Easter services are listed in the magazine. You will be most welcome at any or all our services!

Easter is later this year, nearly at the end of the range permissible, the 25th of April being the last possible day…. but what does Easter mean to you?

It’s a good question to ask! For some it is time off school, or work; time to spend with family and friends, perhaps a holiday with hopefully better weather with the longer days! For others it’s hot cross buns, Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs!

For Christians, it’s a time of real joy, of celebration after the Lenten season of prayer, penitence and fasting. We are celebrating the resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb, occurring three days after His crucifixion. It fulfils the prophecy of the Messiah's rejection and persecution, death for our sins, and resurrection, as foretold in Isaiah 53.

Easter is also a time to reflect on the meaning of life and the power of love and forgiveness. Through the symbolism of Easter, Christians are reminded that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope in the power of resurrection and new beginnings, the triumphant victory of Christ over death and the grave. His power conquered sin and offers eternal life to all who believe and put their trust and faith in Him.

We have eyewitness accounts to the whole of the Passion and Easter narrative. The resurrection did occur, and so, we have immense hope and assurance. It is through the resurrection that we find assurance of our redemption and the promise of new life in Christ. The resurrection validates Jesus' identity as the Son of God and confirms His authority to grant forgiveness of sins and reconcile humanity with God.

Easter is not merely a celebration of an event in history, but a proclamation of the foundational truth that shapes our entire faith journey and offers all of us hope for the future. Alleluia!

God Bless,
Keith