As Christians we should be able to complete the verse above without too much thought...that whosever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  What an amazing, life changing promise!  At Easter this promise takes on a deeper and more powerful meaning. John 3:16 does not stand alone as a comforting sentence we memorise in childhood, it is fulfilled in the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The cross shows us the depth of God’s love, a love willing to sacrifice, to endure pain, rejection and death so that we might live.  The empty tomb then declares that this love is victorious, stronger than sin, stronger than fear and even stronger than death itself.

Easter reminds us that belief is not merely an intellectual agreement, but trust; a trust that Jesus paid the price we could never pay, trusting that His resurrection opens the way to new life. Eternal life does not begin only after death, it begins now, as we live transformed by grace, hope, and forgiveness. Because Christ lives, we are invited to live differently, to live with courage instead of despair, with love instead of hatred and with faith instead of doubt.

This Easter, John 3:16 calls us to respond. God has already done the giving: He gave His Son.  The question before us is whether we will believe, receive and live in the light of that gift? In the risen Christ, the promise stands secure: life, abundant and eternal, given to all who believe. 
 

Easter 2026:Dates for your Diary
15th February—7pm, Joint Service in McQuiston Presbyterian with St Donard’s and BMC for Transforming Lives for Good
18th February—1.30pm, Belfast East Circuit Service of Holy Communion for Ash Wednesday, Knock Methodist
22nd March—11am, MWI Service with Local Preacher Mrs Pam Dzunu
29th March—11am, Palm Sunday with Local Preacher in Training Ms Judith Carson

Joint Holy Week Services @ 7.30pm with speaker Rev Charles McMullen
Monday 30th March—Bloomfield Presbyterian
Tuesday 31st March—St Donard’s Church of Ireland (Youth Night with Pizza)
Wednesday 1st April—Bloomfield Methodist
Maundy Thursday 2nd April—Holy Communion Service @ St Donard’s Church of Ireland
Good Friday 3rd April - Bloomfield Presbyterian

Walk of Witness will also take place on Good Friday, starting at Bloomfield Presbyterian, 1pm, via St Donard’s finishing with refreshments at Bloomfield Methodist.

5th April—Easter Sunday ,11am, with Mr Colin Houston

Contact: Mobile: 07851616243 email: colin.houston@irishmethodist.org