Have you ever wondered what Easter is about? The Christian faith is founded upon the events of Easter. Four days — Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
Maundy Thursday is when Jesus sat down with his disciples and shared a final meal before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The event is charged with emotion and tension.
But even before they eat Jesus kneels before each of his disciples and takes the role of perhaps the lowest of the female slaves… he washes their dusty, dirty feet. An act of service, love, and humility.
The meal – possibly the traditional Passover festival meal – included Jesus sharing bread and wine. He said that these elements symbolised the body and the blood of Jesus. To be one of the participants in this meal was therefore a reminder that the group’s unity, purpose, and being was founded in the life of Jesus himself, and not any other moral, political, or ethical agenda.
The disciples of Jesus were in some ways a motley crew. Among them there’s Peter, the impulsive, outspoken leader; James and John, the ambitious brothers; Matthew, who had collaborated with the Imperial forces; Simon the Zealot, the revolutionary nationalist; Judas Iscariot, who was to betray Jesus; Thomas, the rational skeptic; and Philip, the pragmatist.
The act of humble service by Jesus, intentionally and graciously inclusive of this diverse company of disciples, and then the sharing of the meal reminds us that any group of Jesus followers will be a flawed group, faced with the challenge to follow the example of Jesus, to consciously welcome, intentionally include, thoughtfully encourage, and work together to live out the values of God that we see in Jesus – love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, humility, compassion…
Maundy Thursday closes with the betrayal, arrest, and trial of Jesus alongside his agonised prayers in the garden of Gethsemane.
Good Friday is centred on the crucifixion of Jesus. (It is perhaps a curious naming – Good Friday. After all what is so good about a good man being crucified?). There was a hierarchy of modes of execution in the ancient world, and crucifixion was regarded as the most degrading, shameful, and painfully excruciating.
Why was Jesus crucified? It’s a great question.
On the one hand Jesus was charged of various ‘sins’ apparently worthy of execution according to his accusers — blasphemy, claiming to be God; threatening the Temple; breaking Sabbath laws; and inciting rebellion. We might broadly group these as religious crimes.
On the other hand, when the Romans carried out the crucifixion they posted Jesus’ ‘crime’ on a board above his head, which read, ‘The King of the Jews.’ This was a political crime as only the Roman Emperor held the authority to appoint kings in the Empire.
And then the Apostle Paul, writing about twenty years later to the church in Corinth, says, ‘Christ died for (or because of) our sins.’ Having become a disciple of Jesus, in his letters to churches, the Apostle Paul denotes various meanings that he discerns in the death of Jesus:
The death of Jesus was an act of violence against an innocent man caused by human rejection of him, and a rebellion against God’s purposes.
The death of Jesus was divinely purposed.
The death of Jesus was a form of atonement to free sinful people from the ever-tightening, controlling, vortex of sin.
The death of Jesus was an act of victory against earthly and cosmic powers – exposing the ‘myth of redemptive violence’ (as René Girard described it).
The death of Jesus involved a sacred and merciful act of the reconciliation of creation.
The Gospels of Matthew and Mark each record the sober assessment of the death of Jesus by those who witnessed his final breath, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God.’ The Gospel of Luke records how the centurion responsible for the crucifixion says, ‘Surely this man was innocent,’ a sentiment echoed by the Governor Pilate who could find no reason to condemn Jesus.
The crucifixion of Jesus exposes the violence of humanity and – in the confession of the innocence of Jesus – starkly reveals and condemns the inherent violence and sinfulness of humanity’s systems and structures. Good Friday lays bare the fundamental necessity for each of us to humbly accept our need to change – surely something only God can accomplish in us and for us.
Holy Saturday is a day of silence. The Gospels say nothing about this day. It is a day of waiting. Perhaps even a day of hopelessness…hopes that Jesus could save humanity apparently dashed by his execution. Holy Saturday is a day of somber reflection… “Who am I? What have I done? Am I guilty along with those who unjustly condemned Jesus?” Holy Saturday calls each of us to be profoundly and humbly self-aware and to acknowledge our own sinfulness and our need of a Saviour and a radical shift in lifestyle and perspective.
EASTER SUNDAY is the remarkable and astonishing day of resurrection. A woman kneels weeping before an empty tomb and encounters Jesus, raised from the dead. Her testimony and subsequent encounters by others of the resurrected of Jesus creatively inspired a new, life-giving, inclusive community.
Resurrection matters – really matters. Resurrection matters because it marks a form of victory over death. The act of resurrection reminds us that there is a power at work in the universe more powerful that the power of those who through violence, threat, intimidation, and lies – in a malevolent and malignant alliance with death – deceive and corrode humanity’s instinctive and innate desire for community, belonging, relationship, and connection to God, one another, and creation itself.
Resurrection is about life over death – whether we think of death at the end of life, or the shadow of death cast over us even as we live. If death is about separation and disconnection and ending, then resurrection as we celebrate on Easter Sunday is about renewal, hope, creation, beginning, transformation, community, and connection.
Today is February 14th, a day traditionally dedicated to celebrating love and friendship. Whether Valentine’s Day resonates with you or not, may LOVE fill your heart and bring you peace
A few thoughts on LOVE…
LOVE is at the heart of the Christian story.
God is LOVE (1John 4:8, 16). God approaches, engages, and responds to humanity—indeed, to all of creation—with LOVE. This means that everything God is and does is LOVE. More than that, God is recognisable by LOVE.
Thomas Aquinas, the 13th-century theologian, gave us one of the most memorable and accurate definitions of LOVE when he wrote, ‘To love is to will the good of the other.’ In other words, LOVE is a state of selfless, unconditional affection and concern for the well-being and growth of another. LOVE is not about me or my satisfaction but about the ‘other’—their flourishing and blessing.
So when we say, ‘God is LOVE,’ we are affirming that God is being and acting for the benefit of all creation so we can grow to the fullness of our humanity, that we too might LOVE with compassion, empathy, and selflessness.
How can we know what God is like? A great question, but the answer is actually quite straightforward. If we want to know the nature of God, we can look at Jesus Christ, meditate on his life and teaching, and we come to know the loving nature of God. God’s LOVE is revealed in Jesus Christ.
In Jesus we see the LOVE of God in action…compassion, empathy, kindness, mercy, forgiveness … peace.
In Jesus we see that God’s LOVE is unconditional…unbounded, limitless, powerful, healing and transformative.
The life of Jesus is the LOVE of God expressed. Jesus reaches out to the lowly, the meek, the outsiders, the rejected, the sinners, and sick, and the disturbed with compassion, and kindness. Jesus demonstrates the LOVE of God in the radical welcome and inclusion of those who are different.
Jesus holds relentlessly to LOVE, even in the face of death. The opposition He faced—leading to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion—stemmed from humanity’s inability to receive and accept LOVE. Yet, even in death, Jesus demonstrates LOVE, forgiving and blessing those around Him.
The resurrection of Jesus is a profound expression of God’s LOVE. LOVE is God’s ‘super-power’—it gives life. In fact, that’s how we recognise LOVE: it creates, sustains, and brings life and peace.
The LOVE of God in Jesus Christ is for you … for you and not against you.
To be saved is to live day-by-day in the LOVE of God … saved from sins, addictions, failures, self-destructive habits … saved from everything that makes us act and be less than we are created to be … the beloved and loving children of Father God.
The LOVE of God expressed in Jesus works for justice. Justice is the reconciliation of all things—righting wrongs, healing wounds, rectifying inequity, and ending conflict—all motivated and empowered by LOVE.
The LOVE of God expressed in Jesus is uncontrolling. The desire to control stems from fear, not love. Jesus reveals that God never forces or coerces anyone against their will. God’s LOVE is fundamentally non-violent—strong yet gentle. It is a constant, relentless, and faithful movement toward collaboration, dialogue, mutuality, and partnership, all aimed at reconciling creation to God and one another.
We’re now just over 1/12 through the year – time flies when you’re having fun! If you set yourself goals for this year, how are they going? Have you done anything towards them yet?
At Evesham Baptist Church we are still developing lots of plans for the year, but have kicked off a series of reflections on Mark’s Gospel which we are looking at as part of our regular church services up to Easter. Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels in the New Testament of the bible, presenting a fast-paced overview of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as his death and resurrection. Looking at the Gospel of Mark, we are focusing on Jesus’ power, his compassion and the cross – and what these things mean for us in our day to day lives.
One of the areas we’ve already covered is how Jesus was there for everyone – the rich, the poor, the disadvantaged, the sick, those seeking forgiveness, and the everyday people. The call to follow him was universal. Mark’s Gospel shows how Jesus stood out from the crowd and challenged the thinking of the day. Wherever you are on your journey of faith, we’d love you to join us as we continue to explore the life and teaching of Jesus.
If you would like to catch up with the areas we’ve covered so far, you can find a recording of the messages within the ‘sermons’ section of our website – or for easy reference use the links below. So far we have looked at:
Why not come along on a Sunday and find out more? Wherever you are in your life, you can be assured of a warm welcome. You don’t need to be familiar with church protocols or traditions – we are very informal and a friendly bunch. Our Sunday services are at 10.30am and finish by 12pm with tea, coffee and cakes. Come and see for yourself.
It’s cold outside, and we know budgets are tight so why not take advantage of our community coffee shop? Whether you’re on your own, or with friends, you’ll find a friendly welcome, a warm space and some tasty hot drinks and snacks, all at affordable prices.
It’s now five months since we opened our community coffee shop – serving a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks each Wednesday. During that time over 500 hot drinks have been served. On the food front, we’ve served nearly 200 pastries and slices of cake – as well as 50 teacakes and nearly 100 lunches of soup and a roll or beans on toast. For January we’ve added vegetarian chilli to our lunchtime options – perfect for those following Veganuary!
We’re keen to retain our five star hygiene rating so you can be assured everything is freshly prepared following the standards you would expect. There are spaces to sit quietly and reflect, as well as the lively gathering space to chat and socialise.
We asked one or two of our regulars what they thought… here’s their feedback…
So the final question – is it the tea or the coffee that Evesham loves most?
Tea at just £1 for a pot for one has proved very popular, but customers also tell us they love the individual cafetières of filter coffee – and the sales of both have been pretty much neck and neck. However, if you include the much-loved cappuccinos, coffee is certainly the clear winner! Why not come in and taste for yourself!
As we have bid farewell to 2024 and as we welcome the dawn of 2025, we are reminded of this timeless reality: ‘God is good, and His love endures forever.’ This truth remains constant, no matter the year or season. Yet, at the threshold of a New Year, it carries a special resonance. As we step into 2025 with hope and expectation, we can make this our confident declaration: ‘God is good, and His love endures forever!’
One year ago, we crossed a significant threshold as a church community. After more than two centuries worshipping in the Cowl Street church, we began a new chapter in the Church Community Centre on Offenham Road. And what a year it has been!
At our opening service, Lynn Green, General Secretary of Baptists Together, encouraged us to step confidently and humbly into all that lay ahead. Over the past twelve months, we have sought to do just that.
This year has brought blessings. We’ve welcomed more people into the Church Community Centre – on Sundays for worship and throughout the week for various activities – than we ever thought possible. Our regular congregation has grown, new friendships have blossomed, creative opportunities have been explored, new initiatives begun, and the wider community warmly embraced.
As we step into this New Year, we do so with the same humble confidence in God that carried us through the past year, anchored in the truth that “God is good, and His love endures forever.” This declaration has become deeply personal for me. My faith and confidence in God have grown as I’ve come to see that His goodness is more vast, His love more inclusive, dynamic, and extraordinary, than I could have ever imagined.
This is the foundation of our hope and optimism for 2025. Whatever happens—whether in times of inspiration or challenge, through the people we meet, the choices we make, or the opportunities that arise—God’s goodness and love will meet us and flow through us into the year ahead.
We don’t need a grand vision to guide us, although if God provides one, we will humbly embrace it. Instead, we can simply fix our eyes on our Heavenly Father. As we live out our Church Values—Jesus, Welcome, Community, Inclusion, Involvement, and Journey—we can step forward as pilgrims, ready to explore the landscape of all that lies before us.
We are looking forward to celebrating the Christmas season and have a number of events planned. These will all be taking place at Evesham Baptist Church Community Centre, Offenham Road and everyone is welcome. A summary of events is outlined below, and please use the contact us form if you would like any further information.
Saturday 7 December 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Contemplating Advent This is an opportunity to take a pause in the busyness of this season and set time aside to quietly reflect and meditate on the Scriptures surrounding the birth of Jesus.
Sunday 8 December 10.30 a.m. — Anniversary service It’s now a year since we moved into our fresh new building. At our regular Sunday service we will be celebrating the first anniversary of being in the community centre with special guest Steve Finamore, President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Tea, coffee, mince pies and cake will be served after the service.
Sunday 15 December — Christingle service Join us from 10 a.m. for toast and crumpets followed by an interactive service at 10.30 a.m. This event is designed for all ages together and, as part of the service, we will be making Christingles, a traditional symbol of Jesus, the Christmas gift coming as light into the world. Tea, coffee and mince pies will be available after the service.
Sunday 22 December 10.30 a.m. — Christmas celebration As Christmas approaches this will be a lively, modern and relaxed Christmas service with all ages together and the opportunity for everyone to get involved. Tea, coffee and mince pies will be served after the service.
Sunday 22 December 6.00 p.m. — Carols by twinklelight This reflective event will include traditional carols and readings involving members of our town community. No candles, but plenty of Christmas lights! Festive refreshments will be served after the service.
Wednesday 25 December at 10.00 a.m. — Christmas Day The big day has arrived! Together we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This will be a shorter relaxed service suitable for all ages.
Unless specified, our Christmas church services are expected to last 60-90 minutes.
Come and join us, we look forward to welcoming you and celebrating Christmas together.
In just under a month many of us will start opening an Advent calendar, giving us a surprise treat each day. As a church, this Christmas we are supporting Caring Hands, an Evesham-based charity that helps those in need, and as part of our support we’ll be following a Reverse Advent Calendar.
What’s this, you ask? The idea is that instead of opening a window and receiving a treat – such as a chocolate – each day we put something aside for Caring Hands. The ‘something’ we are collecting includes non-perishable goods, toiletries and household items that would help those who have limited resources.
We are starting a bit earlier than Advent (our reverse calendar runs from Thursday 14 November until Sunday 8 December) so that Caring Hands can use our donations in food boxes and hampers they distribute over the Christmas period.
We’d love as many as possible to join us in this initiative. We have a suggested shopping list, but if you can’t collect everything it doesn’t matter – every item goes some way towards helping those who are struggling in one way of another. Ideally, tins with ring pulls are far better as they are easier to open and many people do not always have access to a tin opener.
There is a box in the church lobby for leaving items – you may want to do this weekly, fortnightly or bring it all in at the end of the collecting period. We will be taking donated items to Caring Hands on a regular basis throughout the period.
It may be that you would like to support Caring Hands with a financial donation. Please use this Gift Aid form. If you hand this in an envelope to one of the church deacons, we will make sure it goes to Caring Hands.
Evesham Baptist Church Community Centre is on the Offenham Road, WR11 1DY, opposite the Orchards Estate. We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Community Coffee Shop. This will be a place to just come for a chat, meet up with neighbours, members of other groups, and friends. Somewhere to make new friends, share a cup of coffee and maybe even develop new ideas for our community. The Coffee Shop will open for the first time on Wednesday 7th July between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. and at the same time each Wednesday after that.
We promise you great coffee (or tea) and cake, all at modest prices. We hope to meet you there soon!
The Minister of Evesham Baptist Church, Edward Pillar, has been on sabbatical leave for three months, from June–August 2021. This is normal practice for Baptist ministers to take sabbatical leave every seven years and the last time Edward took his was in 2014. We asked him to write a few lines about what he has been doing during these three months and he writes as follows:
Today, 1st September 2021, I return from my Sabbatical break. The Sabbatical has its basis in the idea of the Sabbath rest, taking one day in seven to rest from work and seek to nourish the soul. And so that’s what I’ve tried to do.
My Sabbatical has involved a little bit of a whole number of things. I have tried to rest. I’ve deflected emails, passed on calls, forwarded messages. I’ve walked, drunk coffee, read books, reflected, played the guitar, listened to music, and walked some more. I enjoyed writing and delivering two papers at the European Association of Biblical Studies Conference – by Zoom, of course! Ordinarily I would have spend a week in Germany at the conference, but virtual reality was necessary under the circumstances.
Sarah and I spent a week in North Cumbria, which was a relaxing break away. We’ve attended two weddings, and I attended a funeral. We’ve had to deal with elderly mothers being in hospital for a few days each. And we adopted a dog! A beautiful Saluki cross named Grace.
Edward Pillar and Grace
Edward will be back at the church, leading our service and preaching again from Sunday 5th September.
For eight weeks in the summer of 2021, the city of Worcester played host to a series of sixty-seven elephants as part of Worcester’s Big Parade. Each sculpture is sponsored by a business and individually designed by an artist – either well-known or just starting out, from the Worcestershire area or further afield. They marched into the city on Tuesday, 13th July – and are due to leave again from 5pm on Sunday, 5th September 2021. After this, all the elephants, big and small, will be auctioned to raise funds for St. Richards Hospice.
While walking around Worcester and enjoying so many of the elephants and the wonderful painting and decoration, we found one entitled “We are the Music Makers”. As this is a well-known song that all the children love to sing at Music Makers at Evesham Baptist Church, we thought it was only appropriate to take a picture of the elephant itself and the descriptive plaque that went with it and to show it here.
Music Makers should be back up and running in October 2021, so here is the elephant to encourage you! The decoration is just wonderful, so much care and detail and such a bright, sparkly finish; it’s a cheerful, happy animal!
The detail in the elephant is amazing and the thought and skill that has gone into the design and cutting out the individual shapes is just wonderful.
The artist’s name is Sophie Handy and she has more artwork on display on her web site at sophiehandy.com.
