Kinlochleven Church - the next service is on Sunday 12 April at 10.00 am led by the Major Janet McIntyre.
Duror Church - the next service is on Sunday 12 April at 8.30 am led by the Worship Team.
Nether Lochaber Church - the next service is on Sunday 19 April at 11.30 am led by John Fotheringham of Spean Bridge in his training as a Worship Leader.
South Lochaber Parish :
Bible Study - on 14 April at 10.45 in Jeremy's home. "Heros of the Bible" - Noah.
Bible Study - Kinlochleven on Friday 17 April at 11.00 am.
Sunday 5 April 2026 Easter Sunday - available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/0YqjQ-rGlzQ
Opening Verse ‘Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and was raised again on the third day’ (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4)
Hymn
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
look full in His wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of His glory and grace.
Prayer Gracious Father, how we love to hear the familiar story of the first Easter morning. Christ is risen, and we know it’s true. Amen.
Bible Reading Matthew 28:1-10 The Sabbath, the first day of the week was dawning. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. The guards shook with fear. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” They left the tomb quickly with fear and joy and ran to tell the disciples. Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Message Inverlochy Castle is in ruins but is worth a still visit if you are up in town. Here in 1491 a great battle took place. A force of Highland men defeated the royalist forces which were led by the Earls of Mar and Caithness. As a result of the victory Alexander of Islay, Lord of the Isles was set free. He had been imprisoned by King James Ist.
Jesus rose from the dead. The stone was rolled away from the tomb showing that his body was gone. Only the grave-clothes remained.
Christ was raised, body and soul. He had conquered death. Death could not hold him. He was set free. His resurrection is sign of a great victory. As a result we are set free. Sins are forgiven, new life is given, life with Jesus is a possibility. Heaven is opened.
The women were the first to be shown it. That detail should not be overlooked. In God’s plan, it is not just the menfolk who are entrusted with tasks and responsibilities!
The women saw Jesus. They had taken a few first steps in faith to go and see the tomb and to care for the body of Jesus there. They were so afraid. Jesus met them and assured them of his love and his peace. When we take even faltering steps in faith, Jesus comes to us, he meets us and offers his companionship, his help, his peace.
And just as he asked the women to go and tell the others, so we are given a task, something we are to do for him. If we listen for his voice, we will be prompted, led, inspired and enabled to do something for Jesus. That might be an act of love or service, to make contact, or to pass on a word of encouragement, or perhaps to speak of our faith.
Many years ago I used to have a regular walk that took me through a disused railway tunnel. In the middle it was very dark. Sometimes life is like travelling through a dark tunnel, waiting for light to appear. If at times we seem to be in the dark, actually the light is there. Darkness has been overcome. The resurrection of Jesus tells us we can be hopeful and joyful. God’s kingdom of love, life and goodness has broken into our world. Heaven is open and the companionship of Jesus is offered. We can live in glad fellowship with a risen Saviour.
Jesus was treated cruelly but he did not react with cruelty, or revenge. Not at all! Instead, he showed love, mercy, compassion. When we have his Spirit in us we can start to follow his example.
Easter is all about the victory of hope, love, and life, over despair, darkness, and death. We have a victorious Saviour. He died for us and rose again. He laid down his life that we might share in his risen life and overcome despair and cruelty.
Prayer Loving God, thank you for giving us a reason to have hope and joy, in Jesus’ name. Amen.