What’s the point of Easter?

Apart from being a holiday time, surely there’s more to Easter than chocolate eggs and the Easter Bunny! A few years ago one survey found that 7 out of 10 children don’t know what happened on Good Friday or even that Jesus rose from the dead – that’s ignorance of our Christian heritage as a country but what about its significance?

We’re in good company!

Perhaps we should be encouraged by the fact that Jesus’ followers, who were eyewitnesses that first Easter, didn’t know what to make of it either (see Luke’s Gospel Chapter 24). We’re told that they were bewildered and confused when they saw the risen Jesus – he’d only just been put to death by Roman executioners! - and Jesus stood amongst them and said, ‘how slow of heart you are to believe everything that is written in the Scriptures’.

So what does it mean?

The Easter message is for everyone, not just for Christians. The events that took place 2000 years ago are hugely significant for every human being, whether we believe it or not!

Jesus went on to explain,

‘this is what is written. The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance and forgiveness will be preached in his name to all nations ....’

· in this life there can be forgiveness for sins.

· We know with certainty that death is not the end.

· We can know the free gift of eternal life as we believe and trust in Jesus, ‘Today, you will be with me in paradise’.

Let’s Celebrate!

That’s why the day they put Jesus to death by crucifixion is known as Good Friday! In a world where there are earthquakes and famines, natural and man-made disasters, wars, fighting and greed, Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection as Good News for the world, and urged us to persevere in faith to claim God’s promises made certain in Him. When we are looking for assurance, security and significance in a broken and fallen world that really is something to celebrate.

Why not join us this Easter to find out more and a Happy Easter to you all.

Philip

Find out more at https://bit.ly/StJamesChurchGatley

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St James Weathervane

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80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) on 8th May 2025

Rev Phil writes Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day. This year, the nation will unite to remember the end of the Second World War in Europe *. Around the country, events will take place to pay tribute to those involved in that conflict, as well as reminding us to pray and work for peace in our communities and in the world. At 6.15pm at St James, Gatley, there will be a short service of prayers for peace and for all who serve in our Armed Forces today. At 6.30pm the bells will be sounded along with churches and cathedrals around the nation as they let their bells ring out - an opportunity to reflect and give thanks for the peace that so many sacrificed their lives for during the Second World War. As an Army chaplain, I offered a copy of the New Testament and Psalms to every soldier in my battalion before we deployed to Afghanistan. This maintained a long tradition for soldiers going off to war - dur...

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