We met on Easter eve for a service of readings and prayers including the lighting of the new Easter candle, two Baptisms and the admission of two choristers to the choir. So the joy of Easter day is prefaced with newness and renewal!

We had a series of short readings each separated by a short silence, and then the Easter candle was prepared and lit from a small fire out in the churchyard. We passed the light from candle to candle among us and sang the Exultat. Happily Joanna was a little better and was able to play for us. Father Roger then gave his sermon.

The admission of two new choristers followed, Amelia and Dorothy had started attending choir last September, but various covid related delays had resulted in their admission at this service. They then took their places with the other junior choir to sing the solo in 'Lead me Lord' setting by Charles Wesley with the adult choir joining in the harmony parts.

This was followed by the rite of Baptism, where Amelia and her mother Jo were Baptised and received a lighted candle. 

We greeted each other with alleluias in anticipation of the resurrection tomorrow.

  

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, 

they came to the tomb, 

taking the spices that they had prepared. 

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 

but when they went in, they did not find the body. 

While they were perplexed about this, 

suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 

The women were terrified

and bowed their faces to the ground, 

but the men said to them, 

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? 

He is not here, but has risen. 

Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 

that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, 

and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." 

Then they remembered his words, 

and returning from the tomb, 

they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 

Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, 

Mary the mother of James, 

and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 

But these words seemed to them an idle tale, 

and they did not believe them. 

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; 

stooping and looking in, 

he saw the linen cloths by themselves; 

then he went home, amazed at what had happened.