THE LORD IS RISEN
Thanks be to God who by His love has given us the
victory!
Its Easter time again. It has been wonderful weather and the
country is alive. Perhaps our thoughts are on a welcome break from
school or work or just a change of scenery. Whatever the case we
are most fortunate in Ireland to be able to enjoy our lives to the
full, free to associate and to go about in relative peace and
security.
Latterly in Ireland we have also enjoyed relative prosperity and
wealth. Jobs have been plentiful and unemployment was at its lowest
for many many years. The current downturn, the re-appearance of
business closures and job losses, coming so suddenly in mid 2002
has brought about a real sense of uncertainty and insecurity. This
sense of uncertainty and insecurity has been magnified many times
by the start of the Iraq war:
- the rhetoric following on 9-11;
- the build up of troops and armaments;
until, we pass the point of no return! Now war is engaged, in all
its awfulness, uncertainty and insecurity. How long it will last,
the final cost, the suffering and loss are uncertain factors. So
also are the supposed gains from the war. What will it have
achieved or what will it have lost in its pursuit? Into it all, our
own life situationÕs, whether of plenty or need, in sorrow or
joy, or that of the war situation, God has sent his Son, his only
Son, that by his living, dying and resurrection He would offer
salvation to the whole world.
His is an inclusive, all embracing love. He came and died and rose
to give hope and life in all its fullness to all people and all
nations. God's love, unconditional, unlimited, self-emptying, is
the light and hope of the world. He is the truth, in every
situation offering us the truth of his love that it can be for us
and all people the way and the life. In need or hardship or war, we
can hold to this hope of life and light come into the world in
Jesus Christ. Hope that has been sealed by his resurrection from
the dead. Not for Christian people the shock and awe of bombing and
destruction,
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Services for Holy Week and Easter 2003
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| Palm Sunday, 13th April: |
8.30 a.m. Holy Communion
10.30 a.m. Holy Communion
Preacher, Rev. Donald Keegan.
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| Monday, 14th April: |
8.00 p.m. Evening Prayer |
| Tuesday, 15th April: |
10.00 a.m. Morning Prayer
8.00 p.m. Service of Healing - Address
by Father Simeon Breen, Roman Catholic Chaplain in St
Colmcilles Hospital, Loughlinstown |
| Wednesday 16th April: |
10.00 a.m. Holy Communion
8.00 p.m. Balally Parish joins with our choir to sing "The
Crucifixion" by John Stainer. Address by Andrea Willis. |
| Maundy Thursday, 17th April: |
10.00 a.m. Morning Prayer
8.00 p.m. Holy Communion - Address by Mrs Hillie Madden. |
| Good Friday, 18th April: |
10.00 a.m. Ante Communion and Litany
8.00 p.m. Reading of the Passion. |
| Easter Day, 20th April: |
6.00 a.m. Sunrise Service at The Leadmines Chimney, Mine
Hill, Ballychorus.
8.30 a.m. Holy Communion
10.30 a.m. A Celebration of the Holy Communion. As we do this
we remember Christ's Passion and Death, we celebrate His
Resurrection and Ascension, and we look for the Coming of His
Kingdom. |
Parishioners are encouraged to join in the journey of Holy
Week and the joy of Easter Day as we worship together as
God's people in this place.
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His is an
inclusive, all embracing love. He came and died and rose to
give hope and life in all its fullness to all people and all
nations. God's love, unconditional, unlimited, self-emptying,
is the light and hope of the world. He is the truth, in every
situation offering us the truth of his love that it can be for
us and all people the way and the life. In need or hardship or
war, we can hold to this hope of life and light come into the
world in Jesus Christ.
|
Hope that has been
sealed by his resurrection from the dead. Not for Christian
people the shock and awe of bombing and destruction, but the
shock and awe of realising God's presence and love in
ourselves, in others and in the world.
His light to overcome all darkness and evil;
His life to give us life, life in all its fullness.
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The Lord is risen, his life and love have
overcome and now live in us. As they do so
the words of Hymn 503 are apt:
Lord, make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred let me bring your love,
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
And where there is doubt, true faith in you:
Lord, make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there is sadness, only joy.
Oh Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love with all my soul!
Make me a channel of your peace:
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving of ourselves that we receive,
And in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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