Knox Now…


Life Lessons
with Jesus
Vodcasts

A Lenten Journey Through the Gospels
With Richard
Palm Pilots

  “Life’s True Pilot:
Navigating the Digital and Spiritual Worlds”

      In the spirit of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Richard explores how technology like the Palm Pilot and other organizing digital gadgets have given us control over our busy lives, paralleling how Jesus’s death and resurrection offers to navigate our life’s journey.


To comment on this vodcast, suggest upcoming topics, and check out Previous VODCASTS
Click HERE
.

      


Holy Week

The Week Leading Up to Easter

The season of Lent is described as a journey, with its final destination being Holy Week. The events of Holy Week recount the so-called ‘passion narratives’ in the New Testament Gospels that relate to the suffering (passio in Latin), death and burial of Jesus Christ.

Palm/Passion Sunday – entrance into Jerusalem 

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ ‘triumphal entry’ into Jerusalem where he was greeted with crowds waving palm branches and crying ‘Hosanna! 

Ironically, these same voices that greet Jesus as Messiah and King will be the same voices that shout ‘Crucify him!’ just a few short days later on Good Friday.

Traditionally, palm branches or palm crosses are given out on Palm Sunday as a tangible sign of Jesus’ ‘triumphal entry’ into Jerusalem.

Holy Wednesday – into the darkness 

‘Holy Wednesday’ is often marked with gradually extinguished candles, creating the sense of growing darkness.

This darkness symbolizes the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples, and anticipates the anguish and tragedy of Good Friday later on in Holy Week. 

Maundy Thursday – the Last Supper 

Marks the Last Supper that Jesus shares with his disciples, his betrayal by his disciple Judas, and his arrest at the Garden of Gethsemane.

Services will often include an act of foot washing, which commemorates Jesus washing the feet of his disciples on the night of his arrest .

Maundy Thursday reminds participants of the ‘new commandment’ (mandatum in Latin) that Jesus gave his disciples to love one another as he has loved them.

Good Friday – Jesus’ agony on the cross 

Commemorates Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate, his sentence of death, his torture, and his crucifixion and burial. It is called ‘good’ Friday in the obsolete sense of the word ‘good’ – connoting something ‘holy’ or ‘pious’ (‘Holy Friday’),

Holy Saturday – visiting the tomb of Jesus 

Recalls the vigil, the ‘keeping watch’ at the tomb of Jesus. This is the day on which Lent traditionally ends. It marks the final day of Jesus’ death, which he spent resting in his tomb.

  


Knox Neighbourhood


The Custom of Giving Easter Eggs

Decorated Easter Eggs

     For Christians the egg is a symbol of Jesus’ resurrection, as when they are cracked open they stand for the empty tomb. No one actually knows when eggs were first used as symbols at festival times but it was long before Jesus’ time. Eggs were always thought to be special because although they do not seem alive, they have life within them especially at springtime when chicks hatch out.

     Long ago people gave gifts of eggs carved from wood or precious stones. The first sweet eggs that were eaten were made in the last 100 years from sugar or marzipan. Since then chocolate eggs have become popular and these are given on Easter Sunday.

     Cultures each have their own traditions when it comes to decorating the eggs.  In Canada, we dye hard boiled eggs that are often hidden for an Easter Egg Hunt.  In Austria the eggs are hollowed and then pieces are punched out to make patterns.  The Hungarians paint hollowed out eggs and string them up on branches to make an Easter Egg Tree.  The Danish paint on wooden eggs and display them in their flower pots.  Perhaps the best known Easter eggs are the Psanky the Ukrainians make using hollowed out eggs with natural dyes and wax.

Do you know of other Easter Egg traditions?

Tell us about them through CONTACT US found on the top of each web page. 
Thanks for sharing. 


Story Basket Game
Easter Edition

Easter Basekt with Coloured Eggs and a bunny in the grass

     Storytelling has been an integral part of human culture for thousands of years. From cave paintings to oral traditions, stories have been passed down through generations, preserving the values, beliefs, and history of different societies. There are many storytelling games out there but we love this one as it’s a great way to engage a group of people with various abilities and age ranges that provides an opportunity for creating memories with your own original stories. Practice communication in an engaging and memorable way and supersize imagination by encouraging listening, visualization and connection.

     The Story Basket Game is based on the drama or improv game taught in many high school drama programs and is easily altered once you get the swing of things. You can event use these prompts and game outline to do a written version of the game via social media or zoom if you’d like! Or create your own version using a list of prompts of your own creation for different seasons, subjects or ages.

Download Instructions and Prompts with the PDF Below:

Story-Basket3Download


Next Worship

March 31, 2024
10 am

Dawn of Hope: The Empty Tomb
with Rev Dr Richard Chung

Reading:
Mark 16:1-8

Special Music for Palm Passion Sunday
“Ride On, Ride On, The Time is Right

With The Knox Musicians, Choir and Congregation

“Journey of Faith:
From Easter to Everyday”

From Second Sunday of Easter to Pentecost Sunday,
April 7-May 19
with Rev Dr Richard Chung

From Easter to Everyday

          This series takes us on a spiritual road trip from Easter’s big event all the way to Pentecost’s fire. It’s about discovering the heart of the Gospel and how it fits into our everyday lives—like finding the right apps for your soul. Let’s unpack stories of doubts, encounters, and love that don’t just stay in the Bible but walk with us every day.

Ukrainian Easter Basket Traditions

   In most Ukrainian families Easter is the biggest holiday of the year.  It is bigger and more important than New Year’s, birthdays and even Christmas.  The whole family gets together all throughout Lent to prepare the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.  There is tons of baking, embroidery and decorating of pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs).  The blessing of the Easter Basket is a prominent Ukrainian tradition.  It is also found in other Eastern European countries such as Romania, Poland, and Russia.  Everything in the basket must be NEW each year.  Also, nothing from the Basket may be thrown out.  After everything is eaten the crumbs are collected and placed in the fireplace.  The basket is lined with a bread cloth that is usually embroidered or woven in bright colours.

The Basket contains:

Paska – This is a sweet Easter Bread, sometimes baked with golden raisins.  It is decorated with braids, flowers and religious symbols like a cross.

White or Purple Candle – This is to put in the Paska, and lit during the Blessing of the baskets.  Most people decorate the candle with purple ribbon or a cross.  The Candle reminds us of the light of Christ.

Ham or Kovbassa – Most Orthodox Ukrainians do not eat meat during Lent, so the Easter Ham is eaten after church on Easter morning to break the fasting.

Horseradish or Red Beet Vinaigrette – These remind us of the bitterness of the Crucifixion.

Boiled Eggs – These Eggs are dyed bright red.  They are a reminder of the Blood of Christ and the new life that came from it.

Pysanky – These are intricately decorated multi-coloured eggs, decorated using the wax-resist method.  Each egg typically takes between 6 and 10 hours to make.    Families have their own patterns  passed down from mothers, grandmothers, and aunts to daughters and more recently sons.  These designs are kept very private and are not usually shared even amongst friends.  Pysanky are often given as treasured gifts to loved ones on Easter Sunday, and in some countries Easter Monday. The egg is presented saying “for your table”.

Cheese and butter – Dairy is not permitted during Lent for Ukrainian Orthodox, so this is used to break the fast after church on Easter Sunday.

Salt – To remind us of the gifts the Earth has provided us.

Wheat or Pussy-willows – The Wheat symbolizes the Body of Christ.  In most parts of the Ukraine new wheat is not available during Easter so most provinces used pussy-willows instead.

Wine  – To symbolize the Blood of Christ. If it is a child’s basket then grapes or grape juice are used.

Flowers  – To symbolize the beauty of new life and the beauty that God has provided.  Often the flowers will decorate the basket itself.

Chocolates, small trinkets, or embroidery – These items are generally put in by children or families with children.  Sometimes small Easter gifts are put in the basket to be blessed before they are given out.

For the Blessing, the baskets are lined up and the candles are lit.  The candles continue to burn for the duration of the service.  At the end of the Blessing, Holy Water is sprinkled over all the baskets.

The Easter greeting is:  Khrystos voskres! with the response:  Voistynu Voskrese!.

 The translation is:  “Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!

Easter Trivia Game

Easter Trivia Game

     KnoxVan Events wanted to share our game and trivia knowledge with all of you so you can try it at home with loved ones and friends over the Easter weekend.

There are three rounds – Short Answer (10 Questions), Music Round (5 snippets of songs), and finally a True or False round with 5 questions.

Make sure you let us know how you did and also feel free to reach out and let us know what themed Trivia you’d like to see next! Contact Us!

Visit the TRIVIA Page HERE

The Arts And Easter

        Easter traditions include sunrise services, exclamations and exchanges of Paschal greetings, flowering the cross, the wearing of Easter bonnets, and the decoration and communal breaking of Easter eggs. The ARTS from special music, food, stories, paintings and crafts are a part of it all. Check out some Easter culture in the video and varied articles featured below.

The Battle of Jericho
Organ and Trumpet Duo
When A Grain of Wheat Solo

Lenten / Easter Appeal Drive:
A Call for Compassion

ROHINGYA – an ancient people who have nowhere to settle


As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, our church is presented with a profound opportunity to embody the spirit of Lent through acts of compassion, justice and support. This year, our Annual Lenten/Easter Appeal Drive takes on a special significance as we focus our efforts on sponsoring a Rohingya family from Cox’s Bazaar refugee camp, identified through the compassionate work of one of the four partner congregations in this refugee sponsorship.

Learn more about the Refugee Family
we are sponsoring HERE


Our Mission:
Amidst stricter federal regulations for refugee sponsorship, our collective goal is to gather the necessary funds to bring a family facing grave dangers to safety in our community. This initiative is not just about financial aid; it’s a testament to our shared values of empathy, support, and action.

Urgency and Hope:
With half of the required funds already raised, we are reaching out to you, our church family, and the broader community, to bring our mission to fruition. The plight of the Rohingya family we aim to help is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the importance of sanctuary.

Join Us in Making a Difference:
We invite you to contribute to this life-saving project. Your generosity can pave the way for a brighter future for a family in need. Let us come together in faith and love, proving that even in the darkest times, light can emerge through unity and compassion.


Let’s embody the change we wish to see in the world.
Donate today by clicking on the Button Below

If you prefer you can write a cheque payable to Knox United Church with an indication that it is for the Rohingya Sponsorship and bring it on Sunday or mail it to the church office at 5590 Balaclava Street Vancouver BC V6N 1L1
Lenten Appeal Envelopes can be found in the pews and
dropped into the Offering Box.

Knox United Church issues tax receipts for donations of $25 or more that are identified with your name and address.


With gratitude and hope,
Susan McAlpine, Board Chair
Knox United Church

LUNCH & LEARN –
ROHINGYA REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP STORY

APRIL 7 — GUEST SPEAKER
10 AM worship & lunch following…

Refugee sponsorhisp Lunch and Learn
Please JOIN US!

   Listen and learn about the plight of the Rohingya people in general and one family in particular.  Our guest speaker has known the family since 2014 when she worked with the father in North Rakhine State in Myanmar.  The family was forced to flee with thousands of Rohingya refugees in 2017.  She reconnected with them in 2022 in the Cox’s Bazar Refugee Camp in Bangladesh.  

Save the date and plan to stay for lunch
and learn following worship.

…“be kind and stay safe


The Refugee Camp
A Call for Compassion ~
Sponsoring a Rohingya Family

Find Knox

5590 Balaclava Street
Vancouver, BC
V6N 1L1   Canada

Building our neighbourhoods and helping each other depends on your participation and DONATIONS. Thank you for giving what you can.

Contact Knox…

604-261-3747

by email