We have enjoyed the most wonderful few days at St. Augustine’s culminating in the Solemn Mass of Easter Day with a church full to capacity. Earlier, following the keeping of the Easter Vigil at 5.00 a.m. and a super cooked breakfast, we had been wondering how the adjustment to the clocks would have affected attendances. We needn’t have worried.
Every year since 2008 we have experienced an increase in the numbers attending the Easter Day Solemn Mass and this year we had a further increase.
Father Mervyn presided and led the Intercessions and Father Martin read the Gospel and preached and at the end of Mass distributed Easter Eggs to all the children, plus Cadbury’s Crème Eggs to the adult congregation. Father Martin preached a stunning sermon in which he had several people involved. He set the scene as at the first Easter in Jerusalem acting as a roving reporter for a TV Station trying to obtain comments from people like Pontius Pilate, the Chief Priest, Mary Magdalene etc. on the momentous events which had taken place. Unsurprisingly Pontius Pilate said “I couldn’t possible comment” and the Chief Priest the same and when asked if he could add anything more to that he replied “yes – goodbye” In the end it became clear that something momentous had occurred and that Jesus, who three days earlier had died on the cross was now risen from the dead. Following the sermon the congregation were invited to renew their Baptismal Promises and were sprinkled enthusiastically by Father Mervyn with the Holy Water blessed at the earlier Vigil.
Refreshments were served in the hall after Mass where we had special Easter Cakes made by a couple of the younger members of the congregation. A wonderful day concluded with Prayer Book Evensong and Benediction.
ALLELUIA, CHRIST IS RISEN
HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA
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