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BBC4 Thought for the Day
The Rt Rev. James Jones
As a Radio addict I confess I sometimes dream up my own programme ideas! One of them's called 'Margins of Error'. Each programme focuses on a different person of influence by searching their bookshelves for books they've read decades ago. Of special interest would be comments they've written in the margins, and to explore how and why their views have changed or even remained the same.
I know some people see marking books as a sacrilege but my shelves are full of them including a number of Bibles. I see that one of them has a sentence underlined from the reading set for today - Maundy Thursday. It's the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. It'll be read today in Manchester Cathedral when the Queen comes to give her Maundy money.
The words I'd underlined, but without comment, were 'He loved them to the end'. I can't remember what moved me to mark the page but I find these words always apply a brake to my speed when reading them aloud, Jesus 'having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to the end.'
This is the amazing grace that even though we should betray and brutally manhandle God's Son he carries on loving us to the end - this is the mocking of God who retaliates only with love.
Like many Bishops I'm frequently asked to speak out against blasphemy and condemn outrageous portrayals of Jesus in the media. More often than not the point's made that programme-makers would never dare do this to the prophet Mohammed, so why should they do it to Christ. Some go on to say that the fact that shows like Jerry Springer the Opera are staged and televised is because Christianity has lost its power and is no longer a force to be reckoned with in our society.
Part of my reply is that I've no desire to give free publicity, but there is a deeper reason which I've discussed with my Muslim friends. In Islam the mocking of God is an intolerable offence. That's why crowds fill the streets to demonstrate against every humiliation of their faith. Indeed, one of the reasons that Muslims cannot accept the divinity of Jesus is that they cannot believe that God would have allowed his Son to suffer.
But for Christians the abusing of God goes to the heart of our belief. Christ crucified is where our faith begins. When people despise and reject him they're only doing what they did in the beginning. One of the reasons most Christians don't take to the streets is not because we no longer care, but because the humiliation of God is what we embrace every time we take communion. This is the token of a body broken, of blood spilt and of the mocking of God. What sustains us - is that even though people should despise him and drive nails through his hands 'he loves us to the end'.
One ha' penny
In many historically Christian countries, the buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday with the cross standing as a symbol of the crucifixion. Their ingredients mean that people who are following lent are able to eat them as they traditionally contain no eggs or other dairy products.
Street Sellers Song
Hot cross buns,
Hot cross buns,
one ha' penny,
two a penny,
hot cross buns.
If you have no daughters,
give them to your sons,
one ha' penny,
two a penny,
Hot Cross Buns
Good Friday or God's Friday
Good Friday is the Christian commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ, observed on the Friday before Easter. Originally, it was a day of fasting in preparation for the unitive celebration of the death- resurrection-exaltation of Jesus; no liturgy was held on that day. In the 4th century, at Jerusalem, a procession was staged from Gethsemane to the sanctuary of the cross, followed by readings about the passion. This was the beginning of the Good Friday observance as it is now known.
Services and Events
Sunday Services
10.30am Family Service & Childre's Suncay School Followed by fellowship and book sale in the hall
6.00pm Evening ServiceWeekday Ministries
Monday
6.00pm Keep Fit - One hour informal fun fitness session for all ages and abilities.
Tuesday
7.00pm Teenager Group (ages 10-14 years)7.30pm Alpha Course
Wednesday
9.30am Parent and Toddler Group
10.00am Prayer and Bible Study (at the church)
6.00pm Children's Club (ages 5-10 years)
7.30pm Prayer and Bible Study (at the church)
Friday
2.15pm Friday Friendship every other week
Monthy Events
2nd Saturday of the Month10.00am-12.00pm Coffee morning and Table Top-Jumble Sale in Church Hall
Saturday FAFF Group (Fellowship and Family Fun) Once a Month!!!
April Fools
In 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and the new year fell on January first. There were some people, however, who hadn't heard or didn't believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first.
Poisson d'AvrilIn France today, April first is called "Poisson d'Avril." French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs. When the "young fool" discovers this trick, the prankster yells "Poisson d’Avril!" (April Fish!)
The best joke came from Tesco. In 2002, the company told the public that it had developed a genetically modified carrot that would start to whistle once fully cooked.
FAFF Asian Night - 28th April
Asian music, dancing, food and a chance to see Urbanus wedding video. Be prepared for a great time, great food and great exercise.
Easter Services
6th April - Good Friday service is at 10:30am followed by Walk of Witness from our Church to the Methodist Church at 12:00.
8th April - Easter Sunday Service 10:30am - there will be no evening service.
FAFF went Bowling at Avonmeads
Hollywood Bowl had never seen so many fun people in one place. It certainly brought our competitive streaks and the ladies showed they are Queen Pins winning the bumpered, Clare, and non bumpered, Esther, unofficial catagories. I think the men were just letting them have their day. Well done to all who played and can't wait for the next FAFF.
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