St Nicholas Methodist Church

Symbols of The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Day 7

Artwork and Verse by Rev’d Paul Collings

In Memoriam

The gravestone carved,

memorial read 

to Rest in Peace 

lies one here - dead.

And so I mused as 

there I walked 

across the springtime’s 

old church yard.

What moved the stone 

upon that day 

when in the tomb 

the Master lay

His broken body 

lifeless, still.

How to remember 

how to tell.

Then from some recess 

in my mind

that evening see 

the past rewind 

and see the master 

girthed and towelled 

kneel at my feet to 

wash, I scowled

This memory now

I dearly hold 

of Servant King 

of nobler fold; 

who unlike those 

‘neath earth’s grand crypts, 

washes my feet 

and with me sits.

He broke fresh bread 

and wine he poured;

His body blood 

and life assured; 

that with this supper 

we secure, 

not memory 

but presence sure.

Jesus present,

Risen Lord, 

gird me with towel 

so to afford 

a servant heart, 

my life outpour 

and with this memory

You Adore.