EASTER IS HERE AGAIN - THE most important time of any year!
HERE, IN TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES, we have sought to truly underscore what is being remembered. Last year we all came together, staff and children, to celebrate the Last Supper. It was a very special time, and we felt to continue on and even improve on this.
THIS year, on Maundy Thursday, we again decided to mark the day. Each of the Four Children's Homes organised their own 'Passover' Meal to take the place of their normal evening meal. Also Esther and I invited Daryl and Carol and their family to join for our own family meal. The meal consisted of Roast Lamb, unleavened bread (chapatis), bitter herbs. Before the meal was served each Houseparent, as I also did, read from Exodus 12 and endeavoured to tie it in to Jesus as OUR Passover Lamb. AFTER the main meal was ended, and the plates cleared away some of the remaining bread and water was handed round just as Jesus had done it, and the meaning and purpose of 'The Lord's Supper' was also explained. Then some hymns were sung and prayer given. In each house it brought forth real blessing and the sense of God's Presence in the Spirit.
GOOD FRIDAY saw us all together for Fellowship at 10am in the morning, and we shared together the happenings of that day, taking EIGHT readings from Matthew's Gospel which were briefly commented on by members of our staff. At the conclusion there was quiet fellowship amongst us all over tea and hot cross buns baked by one of our cooks.
AND TOMORROW, is RESURRECTION DAY. Once again we shall be all together to Celebrate the FACT of Jesus' Triumph over the grave and DEATH. THE DAY when those who had seen Him DIE, laid and SEALED in the tomb, found Him STANDING ALIVE IN THEIR MIDST.
LUKE 24v36 tells us that as the disciples were gathered together that morning 'JESUS HIMSELF' stood there with them and said to them 'Peace to you.'
BUT they were so SURE He was DEAD they thought it was a ghost that confronted them and were terrified.
HERE, IN TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES, we have sought to truly underscore what is being remembered. Last year we all came together, staff and children, to celebrate the Last Supper. It was a very special time, and we felt to continue on and even improve on this.
THIS year, on Maundy Thursday, we again decided to mark the day. Each of the Four Children's Homes organised their own 'Passover' Meal to take the place of their normal evening meal. Also Esther and I invited Daryl and Carol and their family to join for our own family meal. The meal consisted of Roast Lamb, unleavened bread (chapatis), bitter herbs. Before the meal was served each Houseparent, as I also did, read from Exodus 12 and endeavoured to tie it in to Jesus as OUR Passover Lamb. AFTER the main meal was ended, and the plates cleared away some of the remaining bread and water was handed round just as Jesus had done it, and the meaning and purpose of 'The Lord's Supper' was also explained. Then some hymns were sung and prayer given. In each house it brought forth real blessing and the sense of God's Presence in the Spirit.
GOOD FRIDAY saw us all together for Fellowship at 10am in the morning, and we shared together the happenings of that day, taking EIGHT readings from Matthew's Gospel which were briefly commented on by members of our staff. At the conclusion there was quiet fellowship amongst us all over tea and hot cross buns baked by one of our cooks.
AND TOMORROW, is RESURRECTION DAY. Once again we shall be all together to Celebrate the FACT of Jesus' Triumph over the grave and DEATH. THE DAY when those who had seen Him DIE, laid and SEALED in the tomb, found Him STANDING ALIVE IN THEIR MIDST.
LUKE 24v36 tells us that as the disciples were gathered together that morning 'JESUS HIMSELF' stood there with them and said to them 'Peace to you.'
BUT they were so SURE He was DEAD they thought it was a ghost that confronted them and were terrified.
He said to them ' Why are you so afraid? See, behold my hands and my Feet - it is I Myself. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bone as you see I have.'
BUT THEY STILL DID NOT BELIEVE!!
BUT THEY STILL DID NOT BELIEVE!!
The had SEEN Him DIE. Left Him COLD and DEAD on the slab in the tomb....
BUT THE TOMB WAS EMPTY NOW!
'Jesus said again to them ' 'Have you any food here?'. So they brought and gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and some honeycomb. and He took it and ate in their presence.
THEN HE SAID TO THEM -
'These are the words which I spoke to you whilst I was still with you,
that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses
and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.'
AND He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures, and continued to say to them -
'Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer,
and to rise from the dead the third day,
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name
to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
AND YOU ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS.
+++++++++
YES, HE IS RISEN!
Death and the Grave could not hold him.
HE IS IS RISEN AND ALIVE - for evermore.
If He lives in your heart
then you too shall live for ever,
Death and the Grave will have no power over you.
His Power will Raise you up also to everlasting life.
AND IF YOU STILL DOUBT THIS TRUTH AS THOMAS
one of the 12 did, then ASK for proof from Jesus who yet lives and loves you
AND HE WILL DISPEL ALL YOUR DOUBT.
Our great love in Jesus
Your Brother and Sister always in Him
JOHN and ESTHER
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