EASTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1719, 3 April 1888, Page 2

EASTER.

TEMUKA AND WINCHESTER. ST. SATIOIJE’s AND ST. JOHN THE evangelist’s.

Harvest thanksgivings were held on Easter Sunday in St. Saviour’s Church, Temuka, and St. John the Evangelist’s Church, Winchester. Both churches were decorated with the fruits of the earth—foliage, flowers, fruit, etc., being arranged effectively—so that the thankful worshipper might the more vividly realise the bountiful goodness of the “ Giver of all good things.” At St. Saviour’s Church the supply of products was not so plentiful as that of former years, but the workers had evidently made the most of their material. The text “The Lord is Risen ” appeared in the east window, and “Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept ” round the walls. The decorations at St. John’s, Winchester, far surpassed any former year in their abundance, and also in the exquisite taste displayed in their arrangements and design.

The Incumbent officiated at the morning service at Temuka, and the evening service at Winchester, celebrating the Holy Communion at both services, and preaching from I. Cor., xv., 20, “ Christ, the first fruits.” The preacher dwelt on the double reason for rejoicing on that day, viz., For temporal blessing bestowed in an abundant harvest, and the spiritual blessings secured to all mankind through the Risen Saviour. Mr Inwood conducted the morning service at Winchester, reading,an appropriate sermon on the “Resurrection of our Lord,” and Mr Pinckney took the evening service at Temuka, reading a “harvest.” sermon. Both churches were filled to overflowing, and the singing of the Easter and Harvest hymns was most hearty. Instead of an anthem the solo from Handel’s “ Messiah,” “ Thou didst not leave,” was beautifully rendered by Mrs Rout at St. Saviour’s Church in the morning. Easter Day being the great festival day of the Church Holy, Cummunion was attended by large numbers. The offertories at the services on Easter Sunday formed the “Easter offerings,” and were handed to the Incumbent by the Churchwardens. The Lenten services held in St. Saviour’s Church during “ Holy week” were well attended, especially on Good Friday, when the Incumbent preached eloquent sermons on the “ Crucifixion,” urging all Christians to observe the day more closely and reverently in reverence for the event which it commemorated. On Good Friday Mrs Bout s<»ng the pathetic air from Handel’s “Messiah,” “He was despised and rejected of men, a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief.” It is needless to add that this (the tenderest strain of the whole oratons) thrilled the hearts of those who heard it,

The fruits, etc., forming the decorations, were to be distributed among the sick and poor of the parish.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The above church was adorned in all its splendor on Easter Sunday, and it looked very beautiful, the sun coming in through the stained-glass windows having a most pleasing effect. Three services were held—First at 8 a.m., second at 10.30 a.m, and the third at 6.80 p.m. There were a large number of communicants at first Mass, and at the second the choir, under the leadership of the Sisters of St. Joseph, with Miss Gaffaney presiding at the harmonium, rendered efficiently the following selections of music: Aquam,” “ Kyrle,” “ Gloria,” and “ Agnus Dei •’ (Est), “ Credo ” (Webb’s Mass in G}„ “ Sanctus” and “ Benedictus ” (Dr Newsham), Regina Ooeli ” at the offertory, and the “ Eesurrection Hymn.” In the evening the usual Vespers, the u Haec Deis,” the “ Gregorian Benediction,” services of St. Mary’s, and the Eesurrection Hymn ” were given. At each service the Eev» Father

Pauvel officiated, and in the morning and evening preached very eloquent sermons, remarkable for their earnestness. —— SALTATION AEMT PICNIC. The Salvation Army held a monster picnic in the Victoria Park, Temuka, yesterday. At about 11 o’clock a large contingent arrived from Timaru, ind marched straight to the barracks, if ter which all marched to the Park, ringing hymns as they went along. On arriving at the appointed place the lines were broken, and all sorts of games were indulged in until about I p.m:, when refreshments were partaken of, after' which a service was held, led by the Captain. Games were then again indulged until about 5 p.m., when, a second attack was made on the refreshments, after which the proceedings came to a close. At 7.80 p.m. the Army assembled again In their barracks, where the usual evening services were held. During the afternoon a great many people visited the Park, and all seemed to enioy themselves to their hearts’ content.

GERALDINE.

ST. maet’s chtjech.

Easter services in connection with this Church were conducted by the Eer. Jas. Preston on Sunday last. The harvest thanksgiving was also combined with the service. The church was, as usual, handsomely decorated with flowers, evergreens, etc. On the cross at the back of the altar was a wreath of immortelles. In the centre of the table a floral cross was placed, also a pyramid of splendid apples, with sheaves of wheat * on either side. The font; lectern, reading desk, and back of the monium were decorated with flowers and evergreens, as were also the side lights of the church. The re?, gentleman took for his text I. Cor., xv., 20, “ Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.” The sermon was one particularly suitable to Eastertide, and was listened to most attentively by the large congregation present.