St. Cuthbert’s Participates in Ecumenical Worship
For a number of years the Parish of St. Cuthbert, North Delta has participated in an ecumenical Good Friday service held in the theatre of North Delta Senior Secondary School. The Reverend Allan Carson and the St. Cuthbert’s community are very much a part of the ministerial life of that part of the Metro Vancouver Area and regularly participate in ecumenical worship and ministry.
By 10am the theatre which must hold close to 800 people was two thirds full; a very respectable Good Friday attendance for a bright, sunny, stat. holiday (for some) morning and beginning to an Easter weekend that would feature record breaking warm temperatures.The Living Hope Team Praise Band of Living Hope Christian Fellowship began the worship with music and continued to lead music in worship throughout the service including the offertory, where the proceeds were directed to pay the expenses for the rental of the theatre, extra A/V equipment and staff with the remainder being donated to Deltassist Family and Community Services.
Each of the pastors representing the 8 churches took a role in the liturgy. The Rev. Al Carson delivered the Solemn Intercession.
Following the reading of Luke’s Passion by Pastor Jeff Beck of Delta Church a sermon was offered.
The preacher was Pastor Mark Frogley of Sunshine Ridge Baptist Church who spoke about the meaning of the Cross and Christ crucified in a warm and open presentation, using various iconic trademarks : the Olympic Rings, the Nike Swoosh, Starbucks mermaid, the Red and White script of Coca-Cola to illustrate the power of symbols. Pastor Frogley said “Today is about the Cross, the Cross is the symbol of Christianity, there is no gospel without the Cross.” He went on to point out that the Cross wasn’t and isn’t always popular bit it is central to our contemporary Christian worship experience. He added that the image of the Cross has probably never been as unpopular as it is today when seen as an inappropriate symbol by secular society and perceived as off-putting for faith communities that are “seeker sensitive”.
Following Pastor Frogley’s homily, Tony Houghton, Choir Director of St. Cuthbert’s sang an acapella version of “Were You There”.
The worship concluded with Communion. Most of the 500 people in attendance at the service participated and things went very smoothly as there were various stations situated around the theatre.
Hot Cross Buns at The Anglican Church of the Epiphany
Incumbent, the Venerable Stephen Rowe learned years ago that a great way to encourage people to attend and experience liturgies like Good Friday Eucharist is to include a social function and a constructive component. Stephen said “I love Holy Week and I love to encourage the community to participate in the liturgies of Holy Week. It is a wonderful way for people to move forward in their spiritual journey and to realize that what we are doing here is not just church on a Sunday morning.”As previously mentioned it was a beautiful Friday morning and Stephen was delighted to have 50 parishioners and others in attendance. Following worship there were beverages and generous portions of buttered hot crossed buns on hand for the fellowship time that followed the Eucharist.
After hot crossed buns many of the parish stayed to help clean and decorate the church sanctuary for the Easter Vigil that took place Saturday at 7pm and of course Easter Sunday worship.
Images: Top left, The Reverend Allan Carson of St. Cuthbert's delivers the Solemn Intercession for Good Friday. Upper right, members of the Living Hope Praise Team. Middle left and homepage, St. Cuthbert's Choir Director, Tony Houghton sings "Were You There?"Lower full width, Carol Williams of the Anglican Church of the Epiphany, Surrey demonstrates the proper way to hold a hot cross bun before biting. Above full width, Ellen Swindells of "Epiphany" cleans the Altar in front of the newly placed potted flowers for Easter worship services.