On Good Friday the Grain Shed Church of Christ congregation hosted the ecumenical (inter-church) service. About 300 Christians representing most of the denominations in Swan Hill attended. Prayers & Reflections were led by several local ministers. Cornerstone students performed a wonderful skit that we unfortunately didn’t video but you can see it here performed by another group.
The service was followed by a walk in the beautiful sunshine to remember the “Way of the Cross”, pausing for the relevant readings and singing ‘Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ as we left each station. Our final station was back at the Church where Fr Matthew Thomas the new Catholic priest said grace before hot cross buns. This is our second year Ecumenical Worship Service and our third year of the “Way of the Cross” walk.
At 3.00pm in the afternoon, although not advertised, several Anglicans returned to their church to observe the traditional time of reflection on the death of Jesus. The church, stripped of decoration the night before, revealed a bare wooden altar with just a rough, empty wooden cross leaning against it, only a crown of thorns at the head.
On Easter Day the church was filled with flowers, joyful singing, and beautiful sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows on the east and north walls. Many visitors joined the regular congregation celebrating the Resurrection and happily stayed for hot cross buns at morning tea.
May the expectation of Palm Sunday, the service of Maundy Thursday, the sorrow of Good Friday, the patient waiting of Holy Saturday and the joy of Easter Day be ours this week and always.