General Chat

Good morning :-)

Well done on completing the book kandj :-D

Today is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week and the first day of Spring......lots to think about.

Beginning today, we'll walk the steps of Jesus Christ this Holy Week, visiting each of the major events that occurred during our Saviour's week of passion.
On the Sunday before his death, Jesus began his trip to Jerusalem, knowing that soon he would lay down his life for the sins of the world. Nearing the village of Bethphage, he sent two of his disciples ahead to look for a donkey with its unbroken colt. Jesus instructed the disciples to untie the animals and bring them to him.

Then Jesus sat on the young donkey and slowly, humbly, made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling the ancient prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. The crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches in the air and shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

On Palm Sunday, Jesus and his disciples spent the night in Bethany, a town about two miles east of Jerusalem. In all likelihood, Jesus stayed in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Palm Sunday brings a glimpse of Easter. It's a little bit joyful after a sombre Lent.
(Words written by Laura Gate.)

May the spirit of this holy day ...............

May the warmth of this season..............

May the beauty of Springtime.................

Make your heart bloom with joy and happiness.

The Lord comes with trumpet blasts, He comes with shouts of joy!

Wishing a blessed and joyful Palm Sunday to one and all. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today we continue tracing the footsteps of Jesus as, on Monday morning he returned with his disciples to Jerusalem.

Along the way, Jesus cursed a fig tree because it had failed to bear fruit. Some scholars believe this cursing of the fig tree represented God's judgment on the spiritually dead religious leaders of Israel. Others believe the symbolism extended to all believers, demonstrating that genuine, living faith is more than just outward religiosity.

True faith must bear spiritual fruit in a person's life.

When Jesus arrived at the Temple he found the courts full of corrupt money changers. He began overturning their tables and clearing the Temple, saying, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves." (Luke 19:46)

On Monday evening Jesus stayed in Bethany again, probably in the home of his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.



Cx :-)

Hello all

All Glory, Laud and Honour
To Thee Redeemer King
To whom the lips of children
May sweet hosanna's ring.
Thou art the King of Israel
Thou David's royal son
Who in the Lord's name comest,
The King and Blessed One.

Did they sing this traditional Palm Sunday hymn in your church yesterday Cynthia?

Holy Week depicted as a treasure map................. a little bit different.

Palm Sunday....Jesus entered Jerusalem as a King: God prepared for His sacrifices
.
Monday.... Jesus enters the temple and curses the fig tree. God prepares those who
will accept His sacrifice.

Tuesday.....Jesus teaches in the temple for the last time: God sends the invitation to
come and enjoy His sacrifice.

Wednesday...- Judas betrays: Mary perfumes: God waits for the response to the
invitation.

Holy Thursday..Jesus offers His body and blood in the last supper, and washes feet
God offers His sacrifice.

Good Friday........Jesus dies on the cross. God accepts His sacrifice

Bright Saturday....Jesus takes the Saints from Hades to Paradise. God receives
His Saints to Him.

Resurrection Sunday.....Jesus is risen: God gives us eternal life in Jesus. ( the
real treasure.)

As it school holidays here, I am thinking of families who are travelling on holiday. xxx

Good morning :-)


We did indeed sing that hymn on Sunday kandj along with Ride on, ride on in Majesty :-)


Today our journey with Jesus through Holy Week takes us back to the Temple in Jerusalem and then to the Mount of Olives.

On Tuesday morning, Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. They passed the withered fig tree on their way, and Jesus taught them about faith.

At the Temple, the religious leaders aggressively challenged Jesus' authority, attempting to ambush him and create an opportunity for his arrest.
But Jesus evaded their traps and pronounced harsh judgment on them: "Blind guides! ... For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness...Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?" (Matthew 23:24-33)

Tuesday afternoon Jesus left the city and went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives, which overlooks Jerusalem due east of the Temple. Here Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse, an elaborate prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. He taught in parables using symbolic language about endtime events, including his Second Coming and the final judgment.

Scripture indicates that Tuesday was the day Judas Iscariot negotiated with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16).

After a tiring day of confrontation and warnings about the future, once again, Jesus and the disciples stayed the night in Bethany.



Cx :-)

Hello all

The old traditional ones are the best ones Cynthia, imho. We watched Sunday's
Songs of Praise and sang Ride on Ride on In Majesty..... very loudly and we loved it.


HOLY TUESDAY PRAYER

Grant we pray, Almighty God, that though
in our weakness we fail, we may be revived
through the Passion of Your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Remembering those who are affected by the tragic explosions in Brussels. xxx

Good morning :-)


What terrible news again yesterday........


Lord of all compassion
We pray for all of those caught up in the midst of the attacks in Brussels this morning
For those who have lost their lives and those who are working to save lives
For those who are worried about people they love
For those who will see their loved ones no longer
Lord Have Mercy.

For those in need of the peace that passes all understanding
For all who turn to you in the midst of the chaos
For those who cry out to you in fear and in love
Lord Have Mercy.

For those in confusion and those in despair
For those whose who weep
For those in need of your unending love
Lord Have Mercy
Amen.



As we continue on our journey with Jesus through Holy Week......
.......a quiet day.

The Bible doesn't say what the Lord did on Wednesday of Passion Week. Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of the Passover, possibly at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Bethany was about two miles east of Jerusalem.
.
Just a short time previously, Jesus had revealed to the disciples, and the world, that he had power over death by raising Lazarus from the grave. After seeing this incredible miracle, many people in Bethany believed that Jesus was the Son of God and put their faith in him. Also in Bethany just a few nights earlier, Lazarus' sister Mary had lovingly anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume.

While we can only speculate, it's fascinating to consider how our Lord Jesus spent this final quiet day with his dearest friends and followers.

Amen to your prayer Cynthia. Our hearts go out to all those affected by yesterday's news.

Hello all.

Joining Vera in the Amen for Cynthia's prayer for those affected by terrorist bombs.

I have found a book on the liturgy and words written for this Holy Week. I would like to share them with all who read the Christian thread.

HOLY MONDAY
John 12: 1-11: Six days before the Sabbath on which his body will lie in the tomb,
a woman anoints Jesus in the house at Bethany. Reckoning in Jewish style, today
is 6 days before Holy Saturday.

HOLY TUESDAY
John 13: 21-33., 36-38. This passage is taken out of time sequence in order to
show that Jesus fully accepts that Judas will betray him and Peter disown him,
but prays to the Father for his coming glorification on the cross.

HOLY WEDNESDAY
Matthew 26:14-25. This day is often called "Spy Wednesday" because today Judas
accepts the 30 pieces of silver from the priests. The Gospel Reading consists of the opening sentences of St Matthew's Passion account. Jesus declares that his
"hour", which he had looked forward to since the wedding at Canna, has now arrived.

THE THREE GREAT HOLY DAYS
These three days, often referred to in Latin as Triduum Sacrum, are reckoned in Jewish fashion , each day beginning at sundown (Genesis describes a day as
"evening and morning"). They run from the Thursday evening liturgy to sundown on
Easter Sunday.

Holy God
You call your people to sustain the weary,
and protect the oppressed.
Uphold us in our concern
and strengthen us,
that we may not only speak our prayers
but act on behalf of their fulfillment. Amen.

Good morning everyone........Our tour through Holy Week takes a sombre turn today. Many important events occur on this day....

From Bethany Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to the Upper Room in Jerusalem to make the preparations for the Passover Feast. That evening after sunset, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as they prepared to share in the Passover. By performing this humble act of service, Jesus demonstrated by example how they were to love one another. Today, many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as a part of their Maundy Thursday services.

Then Jesus shared the feast of Passover with his disciples saying, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." (Luke 22:15-16, NLT)

As the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfil the meaning of the Passover by giving his body to be broken and his blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. During this Last Supper, Jesus established the Lord's Supper, or Communion, instructing his followers to continually remember his sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine:

"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.' " (Luke 22:19-20, ESV)

Later Jesus and the disciples left the Upper Room and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony to God the Father.
Luke's Gospel says "his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44, ESV)

Late that evening in Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the Sanhedrin. He was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the whole council had gathered to begin making their case against Jesus.

Meanwhile, in the early morning hours as Jesus' trial was getting underway, Peter denied knowing his Master three times before the rooster crowed.


Cx

Hello all

Many thanks Cynthia for sharing the story during Holy Week. Much appreciated.

HOLY THURSDAY...... taken from The Companion to Holy Week I bought years ago
Holy Communion is celebrated only once in any church, in the evening, to recall the
Last Supper. After the sermon, the Clergy washes the feet of the people before the altar, recalling how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples on that Thursday night.

This foot washing act is the perfect expression of God's purpose in the Incarnation
and Redemption, because washing the feet of others expresses readiness to
suffer and to die, both in Jesus and in us.

The Blessed Sacrament for the next day's communion is taken to a place where congregation can pray before it until later that night , in response to our Lord
begging the disciples to watch with him in Gethsemane.

Thinking of those in need of prayerful support right now. xxx

Good morning on this Good Friday.

Last night we held a special service for Maundy Thursday. We met in church for the first part and then moved into the Meeting Room where we enjoyed hotpot and fellowship. At the end of this, a plate of bread and a chalice of wine were passed quietly round the table and we went quietly back into church.

The simple service continued with readings and prayers and the altar was stripped of all adornment. The choir and servers took off their surplices and solemnly processed down the aisle in their dark cassocks. Very moving - very special.


Today we'll trace Jesus' steps on Good Friday, the most difficult day of Passion Week. Christ's journey turned treacherous and acutely painful in these final hours leading to his death and I will post each event to the timescale - as they happen.

The whole dreadful story will be revealed at the end of the day.

According to Scripture, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, was overcome with remorse and hanged himself early Friday morning.

Today the bells of 3 churches could be heard at 7 am. :-( I was walking the dog and the monotone bells with 3 different notes sounded awful.

Today is the annunciation by Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. Battered salted cod fish will be eaten (looks like fish of British fish and chips), it is eaten with garlic potato puree, it is called bakaliaros skordalia.

Today and Palm Sunday (24 April) are the only 2 feast days in their 50 days lent. No meat or fish on normal lent days.

It's now very quiet, it's a bank holiday as they also celebrate Greek Independence Day - don't ask it's political :-|

Meanwhile, before the third hour (9 a.m.), Jesus endured the shame of false accusations, condemnation, mockery, beatings, and abandonment.

After multiple unlawful trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, one of the most horrible and disgraceful methods of capital punishment

Hello all

Thank you Cynthia for helping us to think about all the events that happened today.

Hello Pat, thanks for popping in and sharing traditions from sunny Cyprus.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday and is the day Jesus Christ was
crucified on the cross. As Christians we can celebrate Good Friday because Christ's death was a sacrifice so that we could receive the gift of eternal life.

Jesus bore our sins, shame, and burdens on the cross. The result changed
humanity and what man meant for evil through the killing of Jesus Christ, then
God meant only for our good! The miracle is that three days later, he rose from the dead to offer salvation for us all.

May this Good Friday day of prayer,
Enlighten our minds and bring peace into our hearts.
Amen

Then Jesus carried his own cross to Calvary where, again, he was mocked and insulted as Roman soldiers nailed him to the wooden cross.

Jesus' Mother stood beside the cross with her sister and Mary the
wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too. When Jesus saw his Mother and his favourite disciple there with her, he said to his Mother, "This man
is now your son". Then he said to the disciple, "She is now your Mother". From
then on, the disciple took her into his own home. (John 19: 25-27)

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ere such love and sorrow meet
Or thrones compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

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?

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"

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