The Parish of Elmdon » Thoughts

They think it’s all over…

Richard Huss — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:43:49 +0000

Jesus’ friends had their world turned upside down when they discovered he was no longer dead but alive again. They had thought it was all over when the Romans executed him.

Three days later they discovered they had never been more wrong. Everything changed.

Jesus still turns lives upside down, when you discover he is still alive and active today.

That’s what we’re celebrating this Easter. Come along to any of our services to find out more, and to join in the celebration yourself.

Holy Week

Richard Huss — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:32:24 +0000

The week leading up to Easter is an emotional roller-coaster ride. On the previous Sunday, the crowds welcomed Jesus the king into Jerusalem. On the Thursday he shared an intimate last supper he shared with his friends before he was betrayed. On Friday the crowds turned on him, his friends ran away, and he was executed as a common criminal. And then there was the totally unexpected ending on Easter Day, when he rose from the dead and appeared to his shocked followers.

What a week! Many people find that particular days of that week are especially meaningful to them – some, for example, enjoy the jubilation of Easter, but prefer to forget Good Friday. But actually we need them all. We need the reminder of Jesus’ rule as king of the whole world; we need him as our close friend; we need the forgiveness he offers through his blood, shed on the cross; and we need the new life that is made possible through his resurrection.

We hope you will join us as we celebrate the events of Holy Week and Easter and follow Jesus’ journey.

Expectations and traditions

Richard Huss — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:43:51 +0000

Expectations and traditions, Christmas is full of them. We may expect to be busy during the Christmas season, to exchange gifts, to share a traditional meal. We may have different traditions, such as when to get up on Christmas morning, when to open presents, who does the cooking, and what does everyone else do?

If it is your tradition to welcome the baby Jesus into your life afresh at Christmas time, you will know the wonder of the stable in Bethlehem as Mary and Joseph receive their visitors of shepherds, angels and wise men from afar: visitors who arrived to meet and honour this extraordinary new king.

If it’s not your tradition, then why not try it for yourself? What is it about this story that’s been celebrated every year for around 2,000 years? Who are the people in the songs that we sing? What difference do they make?

From Advent to Christingle, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, join with us in the tradition and expectation, in joy and wonder at a new life with Jesus.