At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Matthew 27:51Dear friendsAs we journey through Holy Week towards Easter, that image of the Temple curtain is playing on my mind. Matthew’s gospel records that at the moment of Jesus’s crucifixion, the curtain of the temple was torn in two. That image is powerful not only visually, but because we can imagine the sort of sound it would have made. The curtain in the Temple was a thick, heavy brocade; more like a wall than a decoration. Together with the earth trembling, the rocks splitting and the tombs bursting open, the ripping curtain must have contributed to a terrifying racket! The purpose of the Temple curtain was of course to draw a line; to demarcate the separation between the people and God, between sinfulness and holiness. Matthew gives us the detail that as Jesus died the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom - as if to emphasise who it was who was doing the tearing. Separation is a feature of our world. We separate ourselves into like-minded groups, whether along the lines of political allegiance or religious tradition, economic status or even just our preferred hobbies and interests. The familiar often feels safer – dealing with one another’s differences is so much more challenging. Yet the message of the torn curtain prompts us to think again about the lines we draw, the barriers we erect, the walls behind which we hide. The cosmic barrier between earth and heaven, between God and people, was torn apart by Jesus’s death and resurrection, so that we can enter with confidence into God’s presence. The way is open to anyone, not only the respectable, not only the predictable, but anyone, to come right into the presence of God. Since God has done that for us, who are we, to separate ourselves from one another? How might we begin to grow a foretaste of heaven, where everyone is welcome to be together, in our local and wider communities right now? How might we more fully share in the lives of those others whom God loves – all humanity and all creation? This Holy Week and Easter, may we draw closer to Jesus as we remember his death and rising which released all creation into eternal life. And may we commit ourselves to deeper relationships with one another, and with God, so that together we may become more fully who God made us to be.+Emma Kensington
We meet every Sunday, at 10.00am, to celebrate the Eucharist (literally Thanksgiving) or Holy communion. Everyone is welcome whether members of a church or not. It is all about giving thanks to God for his love towards the entire creation, including us. First we begin the service by singing and praying together. Then the children go to their own activities in a separate room next to the church. We listen to readings from the Bible and look at what God has said in the ancient scriptures and how it is directly relevant to the lives we are trying to live now.We are then led in prayer by a member of our congregation. We pray for the world, the work of the church, for the people who live and work in East Finchley, and for anyone we know to be in special need of prayer.This leads naturally into sharing and greeting one another with the peace of God. We share the peace by shaking the hand of those around us, usually with the words ‘Peace be with you’, or a special word of encouragement if one is needed.We present the bread and the wine, symbols of our offerings to God, as we begin the Liturgy of the Sacrament. We celebrate, with words and singing, the fact that Jesus died to reconcile us to God, that he conquered death by rising on the Easter morning, and that he is part of our lives here and now. We give witness to our communion with God by sharing in the consecrated bread and wine, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is the moment in the service when we reach out to God most demonstrably, and believe he reaches out to us in a very special way. Everyone is invited to come up to the altar. Those who are baptised and confirmed, or receive communion in their own church, are welcome to receive the bread and the wine. Everyone else is welcome to come forward to receive a blessing and be prayed for. The children join us as well. It's a special moment in the service for everyone to join in. In every church there is a time for notices. This is it. Before praying for God's blessing, we find out what is coming up and hear what the children have been learning. Then with a final hymn and a blessing, we are encouraged to 'Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord'Afterwards it is time for coffee, to meet our friends and make new ones.
