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FROM ST GILES’ CLERGY

Give or take a few years, we have just celebrated 1980 years since Jesus rose from the dead.  Easter might not have the same commercial potential as Christmas, but its significance is that 1980 years on, Christians claim that Jesus is alive today, so we’re celebrating a contemporary reality, not just an historic event. 

It’s alarming how quickly even an event as big as London 2012 becomes history, as we move on to the next thing.  Less than 8 months ago, the banners were up in Ickenham, the TV channels were full of it, Games-makers were everywhere, and most people knew somebody with a personal experience of an Olympic event.  But without consciously recalling it, even such a monumentally impressive and significant event can rapidly become a distant memory.   So, I fully support the concept of Olympic legacy to keep the positive benefits going for as long as possible.  Even so, 1980 years from now, it will be a miracle if London 2012 is still remembered, let alone celebrated! 

In contrast to the Olympics, the monumentally impressive and significant resurrection of Jesus was only witnessed by just over 500 people (as the Apostle Paul records), and yet, it is celebrated each year by thousands of millions of people who were not present at that first Easter.  Christians celebrate that Jesus is alive every day, but at Easter we get especially excited because Jesus, who died in our place, has risen victorious over death, to give us new spiritual life.

The resurrection legacy is the transformation that the risen Lord Jesus makes each time someone puts their faith in Christ.  It’s a legacy that is growing bigger, rather than getting smaller with each passing year.  1980 years on, the legacy of Jesus’ resurrection is greater than ever and is inspiring the next generation!
God bless, Adrian

COVENANT ANNIVERSARY SERVICE

A joint celebration of the Covenant between our two Ickenham churches will take place at the URC on Sunday 28th April at 11am.  Note there will be no St Giles’ 9.45am service on that day, although the earlier 8am service at St Giles’ will go ahead as usual. 

FROM THE URC MINISTER

By the start of April this year, Easter is over – so what next?

I have been reading one of the books that Adrian recommended for Lent, Simply Jesus: who He was, what He did, why it matters (SPCK, 2011; I found it in Waterstones).  The author, Tom Wright, seeks to understand Jesus as He wanted to be understood.

Regarding Easter, Tom Wright says, “What we are witnessing in the resurrection stories … is the birth of new creation.”  Jesus is the new creation in person.  We pray to our Father in heaven, in the prayer that Jesus taught, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Tom Wright emphasises that with the rising of Jesus to life after His death by crucifixion, the power of evil forces tyrannising the old creation “has been broken, defeated, overthrown. God’s kingdom is now launched, and launched in power and glory, on earth as in heaven.”

Launched – but how does it become a reality everywhere?  Through people.  In the days after His resurrection, Jesus met His followers who were sorrowful, ashamed and anxious.  “He calls them by name.  He tells them not to be afraid.  He explains what’s going on. …  There is a love - a deep, moving warmth that goes out from Jesus.  But this love is strong, powerful, life-changing, and life-directing.  New creation has begun; and its motivating power is love.”

Jesus tells His followers to go and announce to the world that a new way of life has been opened.  Wright gives an example of what this means.  “The old creation lives by pride and retribution: I stand up for myself, and if someone gets in my way I try to get even.  … Now there is a completely different way to live, a way of love and reconciliation, of healing and hope.”

This is the beginning of the message of Easter: “God is now in charge, on earth as in heaven.  And God’s ‘being in charge’ is focused on Jesus Himself being King and Lord.” 

By the end of the book he has further explained what next.  He suggests for example how the agenda is given for the poor in spirit to make the kingdom of heaven happen, what the peacemakers and those hungry and thirsty for God’s justice will be doing, and “the merciful will be surprising everybody by showing that there is a different way to do human relations other than being judgmental, eager to put everyone else down.”

Wright’s conclusion: “‘You are the light of the world,’ said Jesus.  ‘You are the salt of the earth.’  He was announcing a programme yet to be completed.  He was inviting his hearers, then and now, to join Him in making it happen.  This is, quite simply, what it looks like when Jesus is enthroned.”
Bernie

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE BEREAVED

There will be a Memorial service at St Giles’ Church on Sunday 12th May at 3pm for those who are bereaved.  The names of the departed, whose funerals were conducted at Ickenham URC or by St Giles’ Church staff between the beginning of March 2012 and the end of February 2013, will be read out during the service. 

The Revd Deborah Chapman, Priest-in-Charge of St Hugh’s Northolt and Chaplain to the Willesden Area Mothers’ Union, will give a short talk, and members of the Bereavement Support Group will be present. 

After the service, the congregation will be invited to have refreshments in St Giles’ Church Hall.  Anyone who would find this service helpful is welcome to attend.