First Church of Otago

WHERE IS HE?

You may have noticed Mark’s Gospel ends abruptly. The women arrive at the tomb, find it     empty, and are afraid. Some of the faithful seem to have thought that version of the Good News needed more good news and did a swift steal from other stories around the resurrection. Personally, I rather like Mark’s abruptness, and the fear and doubt that surround the tomb.

Luke’s ending stretches into a lengthy walk to Emmaus, an appearance to the eleven, a whole second book, and in the end to the history of the church. John can’t quite decide when to end. He has many loose ends to tie up with Mary Magdalene, Galilee, and Simon Peter. In the end he doesn’t do a bad job.

Matthew manages it in a mere twenty verses. In that sense it is an abrupt ending like Mark, but there is little time for doubt and fear at the tomb. Even with their doubt, the disciples are quickly sent out into the world by the first sighting of the risen Lord. There are a few loose ends. The sorry tale of the guard at the tomb is explained away by   officialdom. Matthew himself seems to have some sympathy for the plight of the soldiers with his angels and earthquakes causing them to become “like dead men.” Read the rest of this entry »

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH OF OTAGO

 APPEAL FOR DONATIONS FOR FIRST CHURCH SPIRE RESTORATION

The Deacons Court of First Church has agreed to hold a Public Appeal for Funding towards the

Restoration of the First Church Spire. Applications are being made to various trusts.

The total cost of this work is estimated to be in the region of $600,000

TO DONATE TO THIS APPEAL post to First Church Office, PO BOX 374 Dunedin (cheques payable to First  Church of Otago Restoration) —name and address for a receipt please

 For paying into First Church Bank account :

BANK ACCOUNT WESTPAC  03 0905 0933091-00( name for receipt –  please email  your address  to firstchurch@xtra.co.nz)

– Please note all donations are eligible for tax rebates) Read the rest of this entry »

 SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES AT FIRST CHURCH
10am         Morning Worship,
12 noon    Cook Islands Service
2pm           Samoan Service
A space of quiet in the heart of the city….every Tuesday, 12.15-12.45pm– worship, stillness, food for the soul