Suzanne sent the congregation out to hunt for chocolate Easter eggs. On return she asked what if we found something other than  eggs?
Reading Luke's account of the stone rolled from the tomb.
The women took spices and didn't find what they expected, then relating their experience to the disciples they weren't believed.
Resurrection is utterly awesome, walking with disciple on the road to Emmaus.
The women had returned to complete work started before the Sabbath.  They were carrying expensive perfume to mask the smell. Improve death.  Does what we purchase harm the planet.
Resurrection wins. Do we bring "spices" to everyday situations to improve things?

Reading Psalm 22
Suzanne asked us to compare Psalm 22 with the Easter story.
Turns out it is most of it.
Jesus quotes from it "My God my God", there is mocking, requesting God's help, dividing clothes and casting lots.
Suzanne  showed us a painting by Arned Christie - weapons around a central Christ figure.  Not obvious weapons - Pilate washing his hands, sponge with vinegar, an ear from the soldier, across in someone's hand, cockerel crowing 3 times, casting lots & money given to Judas. Spear nails, blowing a raspberry.
Mark 15: 21-37
Faithful questions is a series we have been following. This week features the hardest questions - Jesus calling out to God.
The crowd would know the whole of the Psalm quoted by Jesus which ends in God's rescue. Matthew and Mark have it as his last words.  No words of comfort and the crowd dont understand, thinking he is calling for Elijah.
Speaking in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic, his mother tongue. Was this a matter of communication. When we experience pain & call to God, remember Jesus did it before us.

We were pleased to welcome the President of the Congregational Federation to lead our worship 

Reading Matthew 15:29-34
Where could we get sufficient bread to feed the crowd in such a remote place?
What resources do we  have - where are we short of energy, power, patience or love?
Feeding of the 5,000 is in all four gospels with two recording the feeding of the 4,000.
Is it one or two stories? Suzanne favoured the two stories, the same crisis but how did Jesus get them through.  Do we remember what Jesus has done for us.
Consider the action of the disciples, bring our problems to Jesus first rather than seeking solutions elsewhere.
Do we have sufficient resources to go around, should it be rationed? Nor enough is still something.
A little faith, little love and little church is something. Most charities start small .
Compassion is not pity, God sees how needy & hungry we are and God meets our needs. God took little and turned into abundance.
Do we need to bargain with God? Can we be gloriously wasteful? Where in our lives are we generously wasteful, that may be where God works in us.