Our Easter Service Theme was about seeing the cross in different ways:

Four ways of thinking about the meaning of the Cross:

Year R / 3: The Cross as the sign of treasure (mark on a treasure map)

The Cross marks the place of the most amazing treasure - the promise of eternal life (life forever) in God’s kingdom. Jesus says, “Seek and you will find.” Because of the Cross, this treasure is available for everyone to find.

Verse:

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes

in him may not die but have eternal life.

John 3.16

Year 1 / 4 - The Cross as a sign of love (the kiss at the end of a message)

The Cross is where God shows his love for us. Through the Cross our sins are washed away. We are forgiven. We are offered a new start.

Verse:

But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!

Romans 5.8

Year 5 / 2 - The Cross as a meeting place between God and people (like a crossroads)

In the story of the Cross, ordinary human beings meet the extraordinary love of God. Because of the Cross, many millions of people have found faith in Jesus and found comfort during difficult times.

Verse:

Jesus said, “When I am lifted up from the earth on the Cross, I will draw everyone to me.”

John 12.32

Year 6  -  The Cross as God’s mark against serious mistakes (like a teacher’s mark)

The cross is God saying: see what happens when people behave without love. Stop making the same mistakes. Stop being selfish. Stop being unkind. Love one another. Stop being people of darkness - be people of light.

Verses:

You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light, for it is the light that brings a rich harvest

of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Ephesians 5. 8-9