One of the great things about being a Local Ecumenical Partnership is that our joint services often contain helpful and inspiring moments that come from the contrasting perspectives of the two partners. Which is why there are two images in this post!

Easter Sunday morning found over 60 people starting worship in the garden outside the church, where we lit the Easter fire and let it consume the sealed envelopes offered by the congregation. Each contained a private and personal message – a word, a name or a few lines expressing the old hurts, or griefs or burdens they wanted to lay down:

As a sign of our commitment to rise with Christ
we commit to this Easter fire
all that holds us back:
– the sin that clings
– the grudges we bear
– the brokenness within us
– the darkness we have gathered over the years
– and our sadness and grief for all whom we have lost.

As we let go of our past
and watch it turn to ashes
we commit ourselves to rise once more
to face a new day
a new year
and a new life.

And we prayed:

Almighty God, who raised your only-begotten Son from the dead:
bless this fire, that it may be a sign of life and hope;
may we, who celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,
be aflame with love,
shine as lights in the world,
and glorify you in our lives;
through the same Jesus Christ our Risen Lord.

Then we blessed the Paschal candle – “May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds” – before the proclamation of Easter:

Alleluia, alleluia! Christ is risen:
He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia!

To the people of Ukraine we proclaim
Christ is risen: He is risen indeed.

To the sick and their carers we proclaim:
Christ is risen: He is risen indeed.

To those in grief and sorrow we proclaim
Christ is risen: He is risen indeed.

To the people of Rosyth we proclaim
Christ is risen: He is risen indeed.

Alleluia, alleluia! Christ is risen:
He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia

And then we went rejoicing following the Light of the Risen Christ into the church as we sang “Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!”. Each ‘Alleluia!’ throughout the service was accompanied by a variety of musical instruments played and struck by the young and the young at heart.

Our service of readings, hymns, prayers and sacrament included a reflection by Rev Eddie Sykes which you can find in full at this link. “The empty tomb is hope for all who believe, and it has become a wonderful symbol of the Resurrection – but if all Easter is about is an empty tomb, then surely the whole event would have been forgotten years ago. Have you ever thought – perhaps Jesus in breaking the power of death could actually be seen as filling the tomb?” “Easter brings good news – and since Easter the tomb has been full … of victory … of hope … of hell’s despair!”

The sermon concluded: “So today, from a different angle I want you to look at the tomb as one that is full. For didn’t the Lord Jesus himself say, “I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly”. This Easter, and beyond, may the fullness of the Resurrection infect us with victory, hope and joy.”

Alleluia! … and do please give that old tambourine a hearty bash!