Easter around the Territory
THIS year throughout the territory we will once again be remembering the sacrifice of the cross of Jesus and celebrating the power of His resurrection. From far north Queensland to the outback of New South Wales Salvationists and friends all around our territory have the opportunity to reflect, worship and celebrate in a variety of settings, some familiar and others quite unique. Come with me on a “fly-around” of the territory for a taste of Easter coming soon to a Salvation Army near you.
Queensland
Let’s start off at the top in Cairns, far north Queensland. Centennial Lodge, our crisis accommodation centre, will conduct a week of activities leading up to the Easter weekend. The celebration started with a Palm Sunday Service singing “Hosanna to the King” followed by an evening devotion time on Monday focusing on “Cleansing the Temple”. Tuesday was in the form of a prayer meeting where they considered “The Fig Tree”. On Wednesday they had a special viewing of the movie “The Passion of the Christ” then on Thursday they will be taking part in a “Passover Meal”, a Special Night at the Lodge. On Good Friday they’re actually looking ahead with the theme “Sunday is coming”. Not to forget Saturday and an opportunity to enjoy some Easter eggs a little earlier than usual, they are having an “Easter Egg Torch Hunt”….yes at night. On Easter Sundaythe celebration will bethat “He Conquered” the grave. What a terrific week packed with meditation and celebration leading up to Easter.
Further west in Mt Isa they’ll be having a quieter weekend with most of their folk away for Easter although this wont stop those who remain in town celebrating with the other churches. It’s a tradition in the Isa to climb the hill for their Easter Sunday Dawn Service. The Outback Flying Service will be taking about 15 children from rural properties and indigenous schools to the “big smoke” inSydneyfor the Easter Kids Camps at Collaroy. What an experience they’ll have with tales to tell back home of the surf.
Staying a little longer in the sunshine state we visit Brisbane Streetlevel Mission where they will be having their regular Thursday night Chapel Service with the assistance of the Gold Coast Temple Worship Group. During the service they plan to bring in the cross and nail it up. No doubt this will be a very moving and powerful moment for many of their people.
The worship group sharing with Streetlevel will be back at home on the Gold Coast for Good Friday under the leadership of the Divisional Commander and Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries, Majors Mark and Julie Campbell. The theme for the weekend is “That’s why they call Him Saviour” and the corps creative arts group will be active throughout the weekend with a number of drama presentations. The residents of Still Waters and Fairhaven will be joining the folk at the Gold Coast Temple to celebrate Easter.
There hasn’t been a Good Friday Service held in Stanthorpe for about 50 years but this year the folk from Warwick Corps will be making sure it happens. They wont be resting on Easter Saturday as they’ll be out with the Salvation Army Emergency Services team selling sausage sandwiches at the local markets assisted by the Home League ladies manning a craft and cooking stall with all the proceeds going toward the Missionary Project. They’re making a special trip out to Texas to deliver chocolate bunnies and Kidzones to the kids, with a little help from the Easter Bunny himself. Special guests from the Wycliffe Bible Story-telling Workshop will be sharing with them inWarwickon Easter Sunday presenting a “Panorama of Bible Stories”. Then it’s back to Stanthorpe for an afternoon Easter Sunday Service.
Well we’re all familiar with the rivalry between Queensland and New South Wales so let’s see what’s happening south of the border.
New South Wales
Out in the west at Moree they are recovering from major flooding so they are planning “low key” Easter Services this year. The corps is happy to report that some of the churches in town have approached them about joining together for a special prayer meeting during the week leading up to Easter. How good is that, in the midst of such devastation the community spirit is still high as they bring their praise, petitions, intercession and thanks to God in prayer.
We’re now crossing to the coast at Port Macquarie where they will have a time of reflection on Good Friday followed by a time of fellowship on Saturday at a Church picnic on Rawdon Island. Easter Sunday is a time of celebration commencing at dawn with the other churches at the town beach. After their Easter Sunday Service a free afternoon concert will be held with the Salvation Army music groups and other guests.
Manly Corps in Sydney are conducting regular Easter Services and incorporating their monthly community meal, “FEAST”, with the Easter celebrations this year. “Friends Eating At Salvos Together” sounds like a great way to kick off the Easter celebrations.
Due to the current renovations taking place in their building at Campsie Corps, they will be out of their “home” for the Easter services but most definitely IN their community, conducting their services at the local RSL. What a great opportunity to share the love of God to their neighbours this Easter.
Bathurst Corps have been taking a journey. The theme “Journeying with Jesus” started on Palm Sunday with a “Journey through Jerusalem”. This will continue on Good Friday with a “Journey to the foot of the cross” and then on Easter Sunday with a “Journey to the empty tomb”. The journeying experience will be created through poetry, music, readings, powerpoint images and décor.
The Greater Liverpool Corps are “Embracing the Cross”. On Good Friday the reflection “Because of the Cross” will encourage folk to embrace the benefits of the cross, experiencing transformation and life in all its fullness. The challenge will be laid down to draw near to the Cross, being ready to embrace the Cross and all its benefits. On Easter Sunday they will be looking “Beyond the Cross” to a new hope found in Christ and His resurrection. This is a hope that offers love, forgiveness, restoration, healing and freedom.
As our “fly-around” New South Wales concludes, we visit Broken Hill. This year, over the Easter weekend, Broken Hill Corps will not only be celebrating the cross and resurrection of Christ, but also their 125th Year Anniversary with a range of celebrations in the Corps and local community. This is going to be a wonderful weekend for everyone involved as they acknowledge the faithfulness of Salvationist past and present, but more importantly the faithfulness of our amazing God. Hopefully it will be a time when many who have wandered away are challenged to return, and those who have remained are given a new lease of life and eagerness to step up once again to the challenge of “flying the flag” for Jesus in Broken Hill.
The ACT
Last but not least, nn the nation’s capital, Tuggeranong Corps will be experiencing a Passover Ceremony on Thursday and on the evening of Good Friday their youth will enjoy the WHO (Worship Him Only) Youth Service. Up at the crack of dawn, folk will be gathering at Tuggeranong Town Park Beach before celebrating at the Easter Sunday Service.
How are you celebrating Easter? Tell us in the comments below!
Report by Major Carolyn Harmer
Comments
Its all about Jesus The Alpha and Omega,The First and The Last! To The Glory of Our Heavenly Father!!