Historians relate that at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 there was a nervous moment when it seemed that the Norman Conquest was about to fail. For long hours the Normans had striven without success to storm Harold’s stockades and they were beginning to lose heart. Just then a rumour spread among them which almost led to panic. It was reported that their intrepid leader, William, had been killed. As soon as William himself heard of it, he stuck his spurs into his horse’s side, stood up in the stirrups, and holding his helmet in his hand rode furiously up and down the ranks shouting “I am alive! I am alive! I am alive!”
What a graphic picture then of the infinitely greater Conqueror on the first Easter Day! The cross was no private event: the report of Christ’s death gained the widest publicity, for nearly everybody in Jerusalem was aware that Jesus had been executed. Then, sometime later, a report that He had risen from the dead was running through the city like wildfire. The Lord had, as it were, flung back from his face the mask of death and was shouting, “I am alive!”
He showed himself live as Luke records in Acts with “infallible proof” as nothing short of that would have convinced Christ’s first followers. Jesus appeared and spoke with them and even ate with them. On one occasion as many as 500 were gathered together when he appeared among them. As a result the small band of people became charged with new life and power. In proclaiming this gospel (good news) they turned the world upside down.
Jesus is alive today and millions will testify with me that we can know Him and His wonderful newness of life and power. May this be your Easter Experience.
Ken
ST GILES’ CHURCH MONTHLY STREET PRAYER LIST
Each Sunday at St Giles’ Church we pray for all the people who live or work in a particular road in the Parish. During April we will pray for the following roads:
Apr 5th Vinlake Avenue
Apr 12th Vyners Way
Apr 19th Wallasey Crescent
Apr 26th Warren Road
If you live in one of these roads why not join us at our 8am or 9.45am services? You will be most welcome.
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The Combined and Augmented
Church Choirs of Ickenham
Conductor Peter J Williams
Perform
The Crucifixion
By John Stainer
Thursday 9th April at 8.15pm
United Reformed Church
Swakeleys Road, Ickenham
David Gwynne Evans – Tenor
John Chamberlain – Bass
Joan Stubbs – Organist
Entrance free – Retiring collection
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FROM THE CHURCHES’ REGISTERS
Baptism at St Giles’
Mar 8th Callum Scott Appleby
Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
Feb 17th Geoffrey Crankshaw, aged 96 (after service at St Giles’)
Feb 20th Vera Carter, aged 89
Mar 10th Clarence King, aged 81 (after service at St Giles’)
The annual service, giving thanks for the covenant relationship between our two churches, will take place on Sunday 26th April, at 10.30am at the URC. This will replace both the 9.45am service at St Giles’ and the usual 11am service at the URC.
