Easter

*Holy Week & Easter 2009 in pictures...* Geoffrey wrote in the newsletter for Easter: Holy Week is always a very special time at St John's and this year has been exceptional

From the Way of the Cross on Palm Sunday evening to the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday we took a spiritual pilgrimage following the Gospel events which marked our Lord's journey to the Cross	The meditations we used this year in the early part of the week and on Good Friday came from a book of meditations by Michael Justin-Davies - To The Cross. They were read beautifully and imaginatively.	On Maundy Thursday the congregation renewed their commitment to God and received book-mark Prayer cards to remind them of they promise they made. The altar was stripped and the triptych doors closed.	The 'Vigil Garden' helped us to meditate on Gethsemane and the singing of plainsong Compline was a fitting climax to the Vigil.

Good Friday brought lots of children to church for the 'Hot Cross Bun' Service, which was much more a presentation of the arrest, ...	trial ... the photograph shows Pilate washing his (well her) hands	and crucifixion of Jesus with the promise that the story continues ...	I must admit a novel experience to be roughly handled by menacing 6-9 year old Roman soldiers. Geoffrey
Stripping the Altar on Maundy Thursday

The candles are all removed ...	... first the six candles behind the altar...	... then the candles on the altar	Then the linen was stripped

The frontal was then stripped ...	then the triptych doors closed	... one door at a time ...	... leaving a bare altar
At the Foot of the Cross - A Good Friday Service for children

After singing Lord of the Dance the service started with an introductory reading when the wooden cross was unveiled, then a reading about the betrayal of Jesus by Judas - Judas kissed Jesus signalling who should be arrested by the soldiers		Pilate then washed his (well, her) hands of Jesus	The second hymn was Servant King after which Jesus was mocked, with a crown of thorns and purple robe

Jesus is crucified - the soldiers threw a dice under the cross to draw lots for his clothes	Jesus dies and is buried in the tomb, (The soldiers are preparing to 'carry' Jesus' body to the tomb)	The service continued with prayers, including the Lord's Prayer. The final hymn was Walk in the Light followed by a blessing
Walk of Witness 2009

The Crowd Assembles The CTED Walk of Witness in the High Street on Good Friday morning saw people from across the churches come together to walk through the town... The procession follows the Cross and moves silently to gather ... You are invited to think about the words of the prayer seeing God's Will for us* as we move.*	Jesus feeds the crowd Jesus had been teaching all morning and as we reached the heat of the day, the crowd was tired and hungry. I was close to Jesus and his followers and heard them asking him what to do. One of them had found a lad who had some flatbreads and a couple of fish - enough to share between four, or maybe six at a pinch. Jesus told them to get the crowd to sit down -	Then Jesus began to divide up the bread and the fish - his followers and those of us nearby helped to pass it out to everyone - and somehow there was enough ... I've never forgotten it - amazing how Jesus transformed so little into so much ... Suggested prayer Witnessing God's transforming Love	The Crowd shouts Hosanna! There was an air of excitement in the streets. People talked of Jesus as the promised Messiah. The crowds gathered by the gate to the city to welcome Jesus, their shouts ringing in the air ... Then a voice called out the Messianic Blessing: Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!

Praetorium Jesus was brought before Pilate, the Roman Governor. Pilate could find no fault with him. But the crowd had turned against him and condemned him with their shouts of 'Crucify him' Just a week earlier they had been shouting Hosanna and waving palms and now they were baying for his death.	And so Pilate gave the order that Jesus should be put to death on a cross. The procession, lead by JESUS bearing the Cross, moves silently down the High Street and stops at the Green by the Catholic Church. You are invited to think about the words of the prayer Sharing in God's Work* as we move.*	Calvary And so the crowd gathered to watch his crucifixion. And they drove great nails into his hands and feet and hauled the cross upright. Jesus took the sin of all humanity - my sin and yours - and carried it for our sake. And there he hung for three hours before he finally died.	Today And the events of that first Good Friday, speak to us across time, bringing us together to witness to our Lord's one, perfect offering of himself which he makes for all people in all times. So let us pledge ourselves anew.
Easter Vigil Service

We began our Paschal celebration on Holy Saturday evening lighting the Easter Bonfire outside the church ....	bringing the new flame into a darkened church...	... the Exsultet or Easter Proclamation was sung	and we renewed our Baptismal vows at the Font...
*Easter Flowers*

The church looked wonderful on Easter morning - and the Flower Guild had been hard at work from the spring flowers in the porch, which smelt fantastic	to the gold and white flower garland surrounding the door ...	There was a flower arrangement on the font, symbolising the waters of baptism ...	... lily crosses on every pillar

Easter lilies arranged on the Rood Screen	The list of those people who were remembered with donations of Easter lilies.		Flowers at the entrance to the church

The Paschal candle alight and surrounded by flowers	Lilies and freesias in the Chapel of Transfiguration	There were lilies in the Lady Chapel	and a contemplative Easter Cross in the Sanctuary.
*Easter Morning*

This year we celebrated the tradition of dressing up in a new Easter bonnet ...	Jill Cherry showing her winning Easter bonnet	More bonnets worn by some of the congregation during ...	... and after the service.