Rodborough Tabernacle United Reformed Church

He had set out a large white candle to represent Jesus and twelve red tea lights the disciples.

Jesus had brought together his closest friends.

Eric told how Peter had objected to Jesus washing his feet and Richard as Peter and Brian as Jesus read of this action.

Ron read from John 14 of the promise of the Holy Spirit and Eric lit all the candles.

It was a time of deep fellowship although the disciples did not realise that the end was very near and Judas the betrayer would play his part.

How everything that happened then affects how lives are led today.

Communion was blessed by Eric and served by Glenis and Gill to remember the first ceremony at the Last Supper.

Eric lead prayers and Glenis prayed for the World and read a very poignant piece from “Stages of the Way” called “Sit here while I pray” and then she extinguished the white candle representing Jesus.

On April 3, at 10.00am in the Little Chapel, Rev Eric Massey conducted a service for Good Friday.

The Crown of Thorns and the Purple Robe were in place.

Brian, Ron and Glenis set the scene.

Barbara was a servant girl at the Governor’s Residence.

How packed it was and how lies were told about Jesus, criticising and condemning him and she could do nothing about it.

Pilate realised that Jesus was innocent but it was the tradition at Festivals that one person could be reprieved.

Peter read the part of Barabas.

He was on a murder charge with no sign of remorse and was amazed when he walked free and Jesus said nothing.

Eric said how they took Jesus and stripped him of his clothes and put on the purple robe and led him to be crucified.

Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross.

Clive read the part of Simon and said who would take notice of a black man.

What had Jesus done, a Holy man, God’s Son and the religious people were persecuting him.

At the back of the Chapel there was a loud noise of the nails being hammered in.

Richard was Cato the soldier who offered vinegar to Jesus and was amazed how Jesus kept quiet whilst people were shouting abuse.

Jenny read the part of Mary his mother.

Of her great sorrow but the Father’s wishes must be obeyed so they must take him.

Brian said of how he was the scapegoat and Glenis said how “On a Friday they ended it all" and Jesus said nothing but the Revolution had begun.

Clive took the Crown of Thorns and walked out of the Chapel to the Grave Yard where he put it on the wooden cross and his wife Gill sang “Where you there when they crucified my Lord” very beautifully.

The mood changed and everyone went to the Community Room for hot cross buns, tea and coffee in fellowship.

On Sunday, April 5, at 10.30am in the Main Sanctuary, Rev Eric Massey led a service to celebrate Easter Day.

Marilyn and her helpers had transformed the room into a beautiful garden of Spring flowers.

As is tradition at the Tab Jeanette was presented with a lovely basket of flowers to celebrate her 60th birthday and greetings were sung.

Eric showed the children his Easter egg with his name on it.

Nigel read from John 20 of the Visiting of the Tomb by Mary.

The choir sang of “A New Dawn” and Eric told of the New Dawn at the Tab and brought forward Bruce and Clive who will be inducted as new elders.

He asked the congregation of when their lives had stood still and David spoke of when he had been in a coma which brought a whole new meaning to these words.

Eric went on to say that 2015 will be a year of a new community at the Tab.

He recounted how Mary Magdalene had visited the Tomb and the realisation of Jesus not being there and the disciples coming and how she met Jesus in the garden and how she was changed for ever and the World has been changed ever since.

Communion followed and then the children came in.

They had made butterflies, symbols of new life and two beautiful Easter gardens and as everyone went out for tea and coffee in Fellowship they were given a little Easter egg by Glenis.

A wonderful Easter led by Eric with help from the Tab folk and it was lovely to see so many people especially on Easter Sunday.