April this year is almost wholly devoted to the wonderful Easter Festival, when no Christian should be absent from holy Communion and we all give praise and thanks to God for the victory Christ has won for us over sin and death.
On the 20th April we shall celebrate our parish festival of St George and following the Sung Eucharist there will be as usual a parish luncheon. On Sunday 27th the Bishop of the Diocese is coming to the parish for his first visit and will administer confirmation at the 10.am Sung Eucharist. We shall all look forward to meeting him at the service and in the hall for refreshments (and special confirmation cake) following. Do make sure you are there!
Eric Milner-White, at one time Dean of York wrote this lovely Easter poem:
Thou art Risen, O Lord!
Let the gospel trumpets speak,
and the
news as of holy fire,
burning and flaming and inextinguishable,
run to
the ends of the earth.
Thou art Risen, O Lord!
Let all creation greet the good
tidings
with jubilant shout;
for its redemption has come,
the long
night is past, the Saviour lives!
and rides and reigns in triumph
now and
unto the ages of ages.
Thou art Risen, O Lord!
Let the quiet Altar dazzle with
light;
Let us haste to thy Presence,
wondering, incredulous for
joy;
and partake of thy Risen Life.
Thou art Risen, O Lord!
Rise up, my heart, give thanks,
rejoice!
And do thou, O Lord, deign to enter it
despite the shut
doors.
Shew me thy hands and thy side,
that it is thou thyself.
Send
me about thy business,
servant of the living King, the King of Kings;
and
hide my life in thine
for ever and ever.
May I wish you all a truly Blessed and Holy Easter.
Your Priest and friend.
written by Fr Malcolm Ferrier
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page last updated 30 MARCH 1997