Stainglass window
Christmas 2011
3rd Dec Advent Party
12th Dec @ 2pm
Carol Service at Oak tree Court
16th Dec @ 2.30pm
Carol Service at Stratford Court
17th Dec @11am
Carol Singing outside Co-Op
18th Dec Nativity and Christingle Service and Carol Service
24th Dec @ 11pm (Service starts at 11.30pm
United Service at URC Etwall Rd
25th Dec @10am
Christmas Day Service
Dear Friends
Come, share our Easter joy
that death could not imprison
nor any power destroy
our Christ, who is risen!
As you read these words of an Easter hymn may I wish you all a joyful, happy and blessed Easter.
When Mary and the two disciples visited the tomb that first Easter morning there was not only the darkness of sorrow and grief to deal with, Jesus''s body was now missing- the tomb was empty!
we all have times of darkness in our lives- times of disappointment, loss and emptiness. where do we find our comfort? where do we put our hope? For me the resurrection of Jesus at Easter provides such comfort and hope. Mary and the disciples did not have the comfort and hope of the resurrection in the early part of that Sunday morning but it wasn't long before there was a turn of events which drastically changed their emotions, understanding and life forever.
J.R>R>Tolkein, author of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and once resident of Sarehole Mill, here in Hall Green, described the resurrection as a 'eucatastrophe'. A catastrophe is a disaster of tragedy proportions but by adding 'eu' before the word 'catastrophe' its meaning becomes the exact opposite.
Eucatastrophe is an amazing and unexpected turn of events which becomes a life changing.
When Mary meets Jesus in the garden, and Jesus appears before the disciples, their lives are turned around forever. the events of easter Sunday are an eucatastrophe for all of us, a turning point which brings comfort and hope. This is the hope and comfort of Easter.
Every blessing
Paul