Passion-Tide and Easter 2010
Lent and particularly Passiontide (the last fortnight before Easter) is when we Christians focus on the unwavering commitment of Jesus Christ to fulfil scriptures and his Father’s will to go up to Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) knowing that it would culminate in his degrading and painful death on a cross at Golgotha, outside the city’s walls. That it why at Aston Street, Wem we have erected, for the duration of Passiontide, a life size Modern Sculpture of Christ on the Cross, done in iron by Mr. Paul Wheeler of Whixall, a local Artist and Craftsman, to remind all who pass by of Humanity’s part in the death of Jesus.
As we hold our focus from Passion Sunday (21st March) onwards, we have Lent Groups at Bettisfield (Audrey Hughes’, Cadney Lane) at 10.00 a.m. on Mondays and Welshampton Methodist Church at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesdays, when we continue our examination of Lenten Hymns, both traditional and modern.
At Wem we have various Ecumenical groups through each week, studying the York Lent Course “When I survey ………. Christ’s cross and ours”.
And this is also the material being incorporated by Ellerdine Chapel in their Sunday Services.
At Prees and Fauls, we join with other Christians for Tuesday Lenten Devotions at 12.30 p.m. in various Churches, Anglican, URC and Methodist.
On Palm Sunday we have our own services throughout the Circuit, and following that in Holy Week, we hold, on Maunday Thursday evening (1st April – 6.00 p.m.) at Wem our Circuit ‘Foot-Washing’ commemoration of The Last Supper following a simple meal and the service starts at 7.00 p.m.
On Good Friday (2nd April), many of our members will be joining our Anglican Friends in their local parish Churches, but at Wem (Aston Street)there will be a Quiet Meditative period, with Passion Images and music, starting at 10.30 a.m. and running until 11.15 a.m. after which refreshments will be available before we join with Churches Together in Wem at 11.30 a.m. for a Silent Procession of Witness, down the High Street to finish at the Parish Church, with various stops for a Reading, Hymn and Prayer along the way. At 6.30 p.m. Bill Huband will be preaching at a United Evening Service at Rowton Parish Church.
On Easter Day (4th April) our worship and celebration opportunities start at 7.00 a.m. by the Mere at Colemere (short outdoor worship celebration) followed by short Holy Communion Service at Welshampton Methodist Chapel, followed by breakfast provided by Church Members there. At 9.30 a.m. there will be a United Service with Anglicans at Ellerdine Chapel. Also, at 9.30 a.m., a service of Holy Communion at Prees Methodist and URC Church, followed by similar at Prees Green, both taken by Miss Sue Mathews. Meanwhile for the rest of the Circuit there will be a Service of Holy Communion at Wem Methodist and URC Church at 10.00 a.m.. This service will start by our decking the external Crucifix with flowers, as a visible reminder to the world of our resurrection Joy. At Welsh End Chapel there will be a service at 11.00 a.m. and an evening communion service at Wem at 6.30 p.m.
So, we Methodists and our Christian Friends prepare for Good Friday, in order to celebrate the Good News of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Day, for without death there can be no resurrection.
A Happy and Joyous Easter to you all and do feel welcome to join us at any time.
Bill Huband
Posted by: Caroline Clorley
