Lent Cross Challenge 2019

Thank you for joining the Lent Cross Challenge 2019 and keeping the cross at the heart of Easter this year. We hope it has helped you to spot Christ in evey day. Why not take some time to explore our gallery of Lent Crosses around the church. Enjoy your Easter celebrations!

But this is not the end of the Easter story, Jesus told the disciples that one day he would return but until then, all Christians should tell others across the whole world about Jesus! And this is our part in the Easter Story. Don't forget our Sunrise Service, tomorrow at 5:45am at Jubilee fields, followed by Breakfast in the St Mary's Room. And of course our Easter Celebration service at 10:30am, with a Baptism.

After Jesus met with his disciples one final time, he was taken up to Heaven. This is called Ascension.  (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-51)

Over the next few days, Jesus appeared to the disciples and other people many times. He spent time with them and ate with them.  (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:9-14, Luke 24:13-43, John 20:19-21:14)

Then the women saw an angel who told them, “don’t be afraid, you are looking for Jesus who was crucified, but he has been brought back to life. Go, and tell his disciples that he is alive and not dead!”  (Matthew28:2-10, Mark 16:5-7, Luke 24:4-12, John 20:11-18)

Early on Sunday morning some of Jesus’ women friends went to the tomb to mourn, as they were very upset. When they got to the tomb, the stone was rolled away and Jesus’ body was not there.  (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1-4, Luke 24:1-3, John 20:1-9)

After Jesus had died his body was placed in a tomb and a large stone was placed over the entrance to the tomb. Pilate sent guards to seal and secure the tomb.  (Matthew 27: 57-66, Mark 15:42-47, Luke23:50-56, John 19:38-42)

They nailed Jesus to a cross through his hands and feet and after a while he died.  (Matthew 27:32- 50, Mark 15:24-41, Luke 23:32-49, John 19:18-30)

Pilate finally agreed and after the Roman soldiers had made fun of Jesus and beat him up, they led Jesus out to a hill called Golgotha to crucify him.  (Matthew 27:11-34, Mark 15:2-22, Luke 23:13-31, John 19:1-17)

The next day which was Friday, Jesus was taken by the Jewish religious leaders to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. They told Pilate that Jesus should die.  (Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 23:1-2, John 18:28-32)

It was during this time that Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples denied three times that he knew Jesus, just as Jesus had said would happen.  (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:25-27)

Jesus was first taken to the Jewish religious leaders, where he was falsely put on trial. Many people told lies about Jesus.  (Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65)

After Jesus was arrested, all of the disciples ran away because they were scared.  (Matthew 26:56b, Mark 14:50) If you are making, baking, creating, decorating or photographing crosses as part of our Lent Cross Challenge - Thank you. Please bring us your crosses (or print off your best photos) to help create a display in the church for Holy Week. Please bring your crosses to church on Palm Sunday (14th April) (and swap them for a palm cross) or beforehand if you prefer. If you have photos but are unable to print them please email them to lentcrosschallenge@ stmarysbillingshurst.org so we can print them for you. There may be some prizes for the most creative photos and crosses, so do put a name on them if you want to be in with a chance of winning! (or want them returned afterwards). Thanks for helping to keep Jesus and the cross at the heart of Easter this year!

Just then Judas arrived with some Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus; Judas went up to Jesus and kissed him on the cheek. This was the signal he had agreed with the religious leaders.  (Matthew 26:47-50, Mark 14:43-45, Luke 22:47-48, John 18:1-8)

Jesus walked a little ahead of his disciples and prayed. His disciples fell asleep.   After Jesus prayed three times, he went to his disciples and woke them up, as he knew the time had come for him to be handed over to the Roman authorities.  (Matthew 26:37-45, Mark 14:33-41, Luke 22:41-46)

When Jesus and his disciples had finished their meal, they got up and walked to a garden close by called Gethsemane, where they went to pray. Judas did not go with them. (Matthew 26:36, Mark 14:32, Luke 22:39-40)

Jesus said that his disciples would leave him. Peter, one of his closest disciples would say three times that he didn’t know Jesus. This would happen before the cock crowed.  (Matthew 26:31-34, Mark 14:27-30)

After they had eaten the bread, Jesus took the cup filled with wine and gave thanks. He gave them the wine to his disciples saying, this is a symbol of my blood, it is poured out for many so that all of the bad things that they do wrong (sins) can be forgiven.  (Matthew 26:27-29, Mark 14:23-25, Luke 22:20)

During the meal Jesus took bread and gave thanks. He broke it and gave it to his disciples saying to them, Take and eat. This is a symbol of my body that will be broken for you.  (Matthew 26:26, Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19)