Easter, as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus\u2013 and let\u2019s be clear, I mean the historical fact of his bodily resurrection – brings the hope of life everlasting to all who believe in his atoning sacrifice and rising again.<\/p>\n
This year was bitter-sweet: not a sour disagreeable bitterness, but a tinge of sadness that, by being starkly opposed to the trite cheerfulness that so often accompanies the celebration of a holiday, made the hope shine more brightly.<\/p>\n
Our first Easter service was at Coronation Park at 6:00 a.m. \u2013 a time of day that feels like the middle of the night to me. The exquisite\u00a0 sunrise<\/a> made it seem a little less like the middle of the night and brightened the sadness of missing an old dear friend who no longer attends the sunrise service because he forgets to come \u2013 he has Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n After the sunrise service and a quick trip home to splash cold water on my face, my wife and I set off to church for an Easter breakfast<\/a>; we left early because my wife, an accomplished organiser, had to be there first to \u2013 organise. After eating too many just-baked croissants, I wandered into the sanctuary to tune my guitar and check the sound levels; as I looked around the familiar sanctuary and inhaled the unique aroma of cedar and carpet mould, I remembered that this would be the last celebration of Easter in our building. \u00a0The negotiated settlement with the Diocese of Niagara means we will relinquish the building to them in June. In spite \u2013 or perhaps because \u2013 of this, the worship during the service<\/a> was particularly moving.<\/p>\n Once the main Easter service was finished, a few of us drove to a local youth prison for a monthly chapel service: I supply the musical part of the worship. We have been conducting this service for over 20 years and, during that time, have had the pleasure of trying to sing above a row of Satanists chanting curses, ducking to avoid hurled projectiles, studied indifference and the occasional intervening of the piercing light of God\u2019s grace. This time it was in the form of a young man who asked us to pray for him after the service. He was clutching a Bible and told us he was getting out soon and was looking forward to the birth of his new baby. I don\u2019t know how old he was \u2013 he looked about 15. While we prayed, I tried not to think \u201che doesn\u2019t stand a chance\u201d \u2013 because, with God\u2019s grace, he does. And the one thing in his favour was that, like the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14, he knew he was a sinner.<\/p>\n It\u2019s always a relief to exit the prison and feel the cool air. It\u2019s too hot in there: I keep thinking that it\u2019s because the flames of hell are licking at the foundations. Arriving home, all I really wanted to do was lie on the bed, but the house was filling up with people for Easter dinner. After a few massive hugs from my grandchildren, I revived somewhat, settled down to eat, drink, be merry and regale my son with all that \u201chas been happening at church\u201d. He was especially interested in this photo<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Easter, as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus\u2013 and let\u2019s be clear, I mean the historical fact of his bodily resurrection – brings the hope of life everlasting to all who believe in his atoning sacrifice and rising again. … Continue reading