General Chat

Good morning :-)


Continuing with some of the stories from after the resurrection ......

When Jesus showed himself to the disciples on the evening of the day of his rising from the dead, only ten of the disciples saw him - Judas was dead and Thomas was missing. The other disciples said to Thomas, "We have seen the Lord!"

But Thomas said, "I will not believe that he has risen unless I can see in his hands the marks of the nails on the cross. I must see them with my own eyes, and put my hand into the wound in his side, before I will believe."

A week passed away, and on the next Sunday evening the disciples were together again, and at this time Thomas was with them. The doors were shut but suddenly Jesus was seen again standing in the middle of the room. He said, as before, "Peace be with you."

Then he turned to Thomas, and said to him, "Thomas, come here, and touch my hands with your finger, and put your hand into my side; and no longer refuse to believe that I am living, but have faith in me!" And Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."


I have seen a good cartoon where the disciples are eating together but looking stunned. Thomas is going on about the fact that dead men don't come alive......then stops and says "He's behind me, isn't he?" :-D :-D


Cx :-)

Hello all

May this Easter tide bring untold happiness
and joy in your life, knowing that even when
we feel like giving up, there is still hope in the Resurrection.

Thinking of all in need of prayerful support tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)

Easter may be over, but the resurrection of Jesus is not the end of things…….there are several interesting stories where people come face to face with the risen Lord……

One of the most famous stories is where Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus.

With tantalizing but confused rumors of the empty tomb still spreading, Jesus appears in disguise to a pair of his followers. After visiting with and teaching them for some time, Jesus reveals himself in a beautifully-described scene:

‘When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ‘

This story of the disciples on the Emmaus Road is important for many reasons.

It provides an emphasis on the Old Testament prophecies related to Jesus.

It gives evidence regarding an additional appearance of Jesus.

It is often seen as a model of the journey that Jesus makes with many of us today, as He opens our eyes, points us to the Word, and reveals Himself along life’s walk as the resurrected Saviour and Lord.

Food for thought indeed. Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your prayers Cynthia.

What heartbreaking scenes on TV from Brussels and Lahore.... words fail me.

Spread love everywhere you go,
Let no-one ever come to you without leaving happier.
(Mother Teresa)

He has risen.
Have faith in Him
And He will always be there for you.

Remembering in prayer, the family and friends of people in Brussels/Lahore. xxx

Good morning everyone and what dreadful news to wake up to - the killing of so many of the Christian community, many of whom were women and children, as they celebrated Easter in Lahore.

Loving God,
Welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism.
Comfort their families and all who grieve for them.
Help us in our fear and uncertainty,
And bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love.
Strengthen all those who work for peace,
And may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts.
Amen.

A prayer to cheer us.....


AN EASTER PROMISE

If we but had the eyes to see
God's face in every cloud,
If we but had the ears to hear
His voice above the crowd,
If we could feel His gentle touch
In ever Springtime breeze
And find a haven in His arms
'Neath sheltering, leafy trees...
If we could just lift up our hearts
Like flowers to the sun
And trust His Easter Promise
And pray, "thy will be done",
We'd find the peace we're seeking,
The kind no man can give,
The peace that comes from knowing
He died so we might live!

- Helen Steiner Rice


Lovely to see the comments from yesterday. Cx :-)

The old ones are the best ones Ann. imho.

Oh yes always loved Thine be the Glory, another rousing tune.

Just checked and Up from the grave He arose wasn't in the Baptist hymn book but I found it in the Alexander hymn book. I have three hymn books here inherited from my Mum ( the other one is a very delapidated Billy Graham one). I don't have a piano so not sure why I keep them. However, it is surprising how often I refer to them. :-D :-D

Back again. Hello Emma and Ann. Nice to have you both join in today, and thanks for your kind words. Very much appreciated.

I can't leave this special Easter hymn out! I'm singing this one now ha ha.

THINE BE THE GLORY............ tra la la la la

Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death has won;
Angels in bright raiment's rolled the stone away.
Kept the folded grave clothes, where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
Let the church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing
For her Lord now liveth, death has lost it's sting.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
Life is naught without thee, aid us in our strife;
Make us more than conquerors, through they deathless love;
Bring us safe to Jordan to thy home above.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

I hope everyone is enjoying a Happy Easter Day, whatever you have planned. xxx

Kandj, I had forgotten the second hymn you put up there. Shall be singing it all day now Lol!! I can hear my dad singing it at church (Baptist). He loved to sing and had a very good voice (as did my Mum).

Happy Easter to all on here.

I agree with Emma, thank you for this thread, I don't look in every day, but quite a few, a haven of peace. :-) :-) :-) :-)

Happy Easter Day to you both x

Thank you for keeping this thread going,
a blessing and a joy to read every day x

Hello all

Cynthia, I have been singing Jesus Christ is risen today from waking up, tra la la la
Can I say, "Great minds think alike"?

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia
Suffer to redeem our loss Alleluia.

My second favourite hymn for this wonderful Easter Sunday morning is:

CHRIST AROSE. This is a very old Methodist hymn, I remember from years ago.

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Saviour
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord.
Up from the grave he arose;
With a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
He rose a victor from the dark domain
And he lives forever with his saints to reign
He arose! he arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly, they watch his bed, Jesus my Saviour
vainly, they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord.
Up from the grave he arose
With a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
He rose a victor from the dark domain
And he lives forever with his saints to reign
He arose! he arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Death cannot keep it's prey, Jesus my Saviour;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord;
Up from the grave he arose;
With a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
He rose a victor from the dark domain
And he lives forever with his saints to reign
He arose! he arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Happy Easter Day blessings to all who read these words. xxx

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWbpsmBbZMg

Hello all

Cynthia, I have also taken part in many Easter Vigil services in past years. All are very emotional and special after the sadness of Good Friday, and expectation to come.

HOLY SATURDAY and THE EASTER VIGIL.

No Holy Communion is taken this day, but a reflective, quiet prayerful time reminds us that Jesus Christ's body is laying in the tomb.

But when darkness comes we hold the most beautiful and and important liturgy of the whole year. The congregation meet outside church for the blessing of new fire, from which a new candle, decorated with five grains of incense to commemorate Christ's wounds, is lit.

As we are led into church, following solemnley behind this great candle, the darkness is dispersed by lighting everyone's hand-held candles from it. This is symbolic of the light of Christ filling the whole world, carried by Christians.

Four readings from Holy Scripture then tell the story of God's love for us from the creation onward till all is fulfilled in the Resurrection of Christ.
One of the readings is always of the Israelites being saved by the waters of the
Red Sea which typifies our salvation through faith and baptism.
Baptismal water is then blessed for the year; and if there are new Christians to be baptised or received into communion, they are baptised and received.

Then the bells peal out and the organ is played as the first Mass of Easter ends by thanking God for Christ's victory over death and sin during this Holy Easter Vigil.

Silence is the word for this day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and so
I shall keep it. In stillness on this Holy Saturday, the earth awaits the Resurrection.

Good morning

Jesus' body lay in the tomb where it was guarded by Roman soldiers throughout the day on Saturday, which was the Sabbath. When the Sabbath ended at 6 p.m., Christ's body was cer-emonially treated for burial with spices purchased by Nicodemus.

While his physical body lay in the tomb, Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin by offering the perfect, spotless sacrifice. He conquered death, both spiritually and physically, securing our eternal salvation.


Many Christians in the United Kingdom participate in an Easter vigil service on Holy Saturday to mark the end of the Lent period before celebrating Easter. They remember Holy Saturday as the day when Jesus lay in his tomb. Many services are held in the evening of Holy Saturday, where candles are lit to proclaim Jesus Christ’s rising. Some church services are held in total darkness before the candles are lit. Some churches have baptisms, renewal of baptismal vows, and confirmations on Holy Saturday.


I have been to several vigils - they are my favourite service of the year - if they are well done. Cx :-)

The Burial of Jesus. Luke 23: 50-56 Good News Translation.

There was a man, named Joseph of Arimethea, a town in Judea.
He was a good an honourable man, who was waiting for the coming of
The Kingdom of God. Although he was a member of the Council , he had
not agreed with their decision and action. He went into the presence of
Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took the body down ,
wrapped it in a linen sheet and placed it in a tomb which had been dug
out of solid rock and which had never been used. It was Friday and the
Sabbath was about to begin.

The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee went with Joseph and
saw the tomb, and how Jesus' body had been placed in it. Then they went
back home and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body.
On the Sabbath they rested as the Law commanded.

By 6 p.m. Friday evening, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, took Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb.

Luke 23:43-48 The Death of Jesus (New International Version)

Around noon the sky turned dark, and stayed that way until the middle of the
afternoon. The sun stopped shining and the curtain in the temple split down
the middle. Jesus shouted "Father, I put myself into your hands!" and he died.

When the Roman Officer saw what had happened, he praised God and said,
"Jesus must really have been a good man".

A crowd had gathered to see such a terrible sight. Then after they had seen it,
they felt brokenhearted and went home. All Jesus' close friends and the woman
who had come with him from Galilee stood at a distance and watched.

Then, about the ninth hour (3 p.m.), Jesus breathed his last and died. <3

The Seven Sayings of Jesus whilst on the cross :


"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."

"Today you will be with me in paradise"

"Behold your son: behold your mother"

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

"I thirst"

"It is finished"

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"

Were you there when they crucified me Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Ohhh, sometimes it causes me to tremble
Tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the cross?.........

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?..........

Were you there when the stone was rolled away?
Were you there when the stone was rolled away?
Ohhh, sometimes it causes me to tremble
Tremble, tremble.
Were you there when the stone was rolled away?