This Holy Week and Easter 2020 when Christians would normally gather together to walk with Jesus along his journey to the cross, it is very hard to be unable to physically get together.
If you are asking yourself, ‘If we can’t gather together, how can we celebrate?’ Well, let me tell you – we can! It won’t be the same but what we are celebrating will be! The truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus never changes. The angel’s message to Mary and her friends all those years ago is the same message to us today. “Fear not. He is risen …” So let’s make sure we celebrate!’
Churches are managing to still feel connected and worship together in different ways.
Forest Parish Church services and puppet plays are accessible on the Forest Parish Church Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Forest-Parish-Church-1831283450525212/
and on the Forest Parish Church Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjXgCgEcW-mwTfOaKsSTqPg
And if it is not possible to access them, then just sing the words of your favourite Easter hymn, whatever it is, ‘Jesus Christ is risen today’ or ‘This joyful Eastertide’ or my favourite ‘Thine be the Glory’ (see below).
Thine be the Glory
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.
Refrain: Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.
Refrain: Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Refrain: Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won.
I pray that it won’t be too long before we are able to gather together again in our lovely church but, until then, I pray that God will bless you and keep you safe.
Remember we are still the Church!
Forest Parish Church 