Good Friday - Seven Last Words

Easter is the major festival of the Christian Church, but in our modern culture it is given short shrift.  In December, and before, we begin preparations for the birth of Christ -- baking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, visiting, concerts, pageants -- the list is endless.  It is a season of good will, smiling faces and open hands.

Easter, on the other hand, is squashed into one long weekend in spring.  It doesn't even have a fixed date. While lots of children look for the Easter bunny and a basket full of chocolate, and Easter lilies appear for sale in the flower shops, that's about the extent of the secular world's celebration of this most important religious event.  Good Friday is largely ignored, except as a day off.

Small wonder.  Good Friday is hard.  There is no way to make it pretty.  On this day we commemorate the death of Jesus upon the cross.  An act of cruelty beyond our imagining, crucifixion was reserved by the Romans for the worst criminals.  It was barbarous, cruel and degrading.  Yet that is how Jesus died, given up to mob violence by those who feared His power and authority.  Pilate said, "I find no fault in him." John 19:4, but the crowd shouted "Crucify him!"  In the face of such ugliness, it's small wonder that our world wishes to turn away.  But we do so to our detriment. 

Without Good Friday, there is no Resurrection Sunday.  We must bear witness to Christ's death in order to celebrate His victory over death.  We must see and acknowledge His sacrifice in order to reap His gift of eternal life.  Good Friday is not pretty, but it is necessary.

At SPPC we will mark Good Friday with a meditative service that invites the worshipper to ponder in his heart the profound meaning of the day. The DieMahler String quartet will perform Haydn's Seven Last Words of Christ, interspersed with readings from scripture.  

The seven last words from the cross are:

 I. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)
II.  Today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43)
III. Mother, behold thy son (John 19:26)
IV. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)
V.  I thirst (John 19:28)
VI. It is finished (John 19:30)
VII. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46)

All are welcome.  Service begins at 10:00 am.

Holy Week services at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church

Maundy Thursday:            --  6:00 pm meal in the Upper Room 

Good Friday:                        --  10:00 am  The Seven Last Words of Christ

Easter Sunday Services:   -- 8:00 am Sunrise service, Cy Hampson Park

                                                   -- 9:00 am Breakfast in Molloy Hall at the church
                                                   -- 10:00 am Worship in the Sanctuary                                                                                                               with choir and string quartet

Good Friday -- Seven Last Words

 Once again, SPPC is blessed to have as guests, the DieMahler String Quartet performing Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ, at our Good Friday service.
A devout man, Haydn undertook this commission from a deeply religious conviction, anxious to illuminate the text "without fatiguing the listener." He succeeded admirably.  The work was immensely popular during his lifetime and has continued to find a place in the musical repertoire up to the present time.  Haydn, himself, considered the set of meditations to be among his greatest works, superior to either of his later oratorios, The Creation and The Seasons
   Each movement is a musical reflection on the seven last words Christ spoke from the cross.

 I. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)
II.  Today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43)
III. Mother, behold thy son (John 19:26)
IV. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)
V.  I thirst (John 19:28)
VI. It is finished (John 19:30)
VII. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46)

This service encourages the worshipper to a personal meditation  on the profound events of Good Friday.  

All are welcome.  Worship begins at 10:00 am.


Other Easter Events:
Maundy Thursday -- 6:00 pm Meal in the Upper Room
Good Friday           -- 10:00 am Seven Last Words of Christ
Easter Sunday        -- 8:00 am  Sunrise service, Cy Hampson Park
                                 -- 9:00 am Breakfast in Molloy Hall
                                 -- 10:00 am  Worship in the Sanctuary

Back to Work

  If the change in the weather wasn't enough to signal the end of summer, the list of activities at SPPC should.  It's clear that we're all in back-to-work mode.  On Sunday morning the choir was gowned up and in its place.  They presented an anthem and an offertory, so that means they were at work on Thursday as well.

   Speaking of Thursday, I dropped by the church early and found a good turn out at the Thursday coffee fellowship meeting.  Thanks to Brian and Vivian for carrying on with that ministry when the previous hosts retired.  

   During the Sunday morning service, we commissioned our Sunday School teachers for the new year.  Classes began right away.  We are so fortunate to have faithful leaders who give up their own worship time in order to teach youth classes.  We wish the whole Sunday School a happy, productive and blessed year.  By the way, adult Bible Study classes begin toward the end of this month.

   


The silent auction began Sunday as well.  During the coffee hour we were able to study the items on offer and write down a bid.  (I bid on several items, but you can come in during the week and outbid me.   Isn't this fun?)

 The auction continues all week and will end next Sunday with a pot luck lunch after service.  I noticed Felicity in the kitchen doing dishes.  I'm sure she'll be very relieved when the dishwasher is either replaced or repaired.

  

  Finally, also on Sunday, we were treated to a concert by Larry's string quartet, the Die Mahler String Quartet.  

   Whew!  As I said, we're back at work.