Last Sunday, the drama of Holy Week culminated with the joy of Easter Day when the church echoed with the words - repeated down the centuries, both in medieval Latin and the vernacular - 'Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.'
This is the very heart of the Christian Year and the Christian Faith and of course, it is linked to all the 'highs' and 'lows' that proceed it from Palm Sunday onwards. As expected, the 10am Easter Eucharist was attended by a goodly number. This all linked up in our case with the previous Lenten Courses at St Andrew's when much of the themes explored the topic of Mental and Spiritual Wellbeing within our lives and faith. Indeed, Richard, Bishop of Bedford, who has shared with us the Easter journey, officiating in all the evening services as well as in the daylight hours, stated in his homily for Maundy Thursday, 'We find God in our troubles'. Poor Peter, such an evangelist, having got the wrong end of the spiritual stick, was shocked by Christ's willingness in washing his disciples' feet. Later, of course, mixing metaphors somewhat, the penny dropped. Jesus was and is the Servant King. Yet, one can ponder the other issues with which Peter wrestled and tried to resolve, hopefully, like the rest of us. As Bishop Richard said, 'We find Christ in the storm.' This was repeated in his Easter Day sermon. Jesus is in the boat with us but this life is not the whole story. Christianity is not meant to be easy but we now have Hope and Resurrection.
Beautiful Easter Lilies were donated in loving memory of some forty people who are still missed by their loved ones. The service ended with a flourish and many went to the Chapter House for some convivial chat over a cuppa. On Easter Monday, it was Pilgrimage Day. After a generous breakfast, an impressive number who had previously been blessed by the Bishop, boarded the coach bound for Harpenden where some would then walk the remaining five miles to our magnificent cathedral in St Albans that crowns a hill overlooking the site of Roman Verulamium from where came Britain's first martyr. Many still refer to this centre of the diocese as the Abbey Church, itself so full of poignant symbolism, the 11th century tower being constructed with Roman bricks gracing the place of Alban's execution. A picnic lunch was then followed by all processing into the church at 2:30pm for the Monday Pilgrimage Service. What a day!
Time to look ahead. As so often stated, you can read in more detail, from our comprehensive website, all about what is being planned. Also, you are all welcome to look at our church notices, both outside by the path leading to the north entrance or in the foyer fronting the church office. Remember the church is open for private prayer from Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 4pm. Here are a few instances: On 18th May, at 3pm, there will be a Farewell Service at St Alban's Cathedral, open to all, because the Bishop of St Albans has announced his retirement on 31st May this year. Meanwhile, back in Biggleswade, St Andrew's will be having its Annual Parochial Church Meeting at 11:45am on 11th May, after the service and coffee/tea break. Prior to all this, on Sunday, 4th May, there will be at 8am, Said Communion Order Two. Then, at 10am, Eucharist will follow in the normal way, always for everyone.