Two of the candidates hadn't been baptised so first they were baptised, along with four of their siblings, making this a really bumper service of celebration.
In the sermon we heard how on the first Easter Day when it first became clear that the tomb was empty there was running, crying, and confusion.
I said they believed but they didn't understand.
They believed the tomb was empty but they didn't understand the Scripture that said that Jesus must rise from death (John 20.9).
When Jesus appeared to Mary she at first didn't recognise him. The moment of revelation came when he called her name.
Then what did she do? She hugged him.
That is the implication of John 20.17 when Jesus says to her 'Do not hold on to me.'
That was what he said, rather than 'do not touch me', because he was back from the dead, with a real live, solid, physical, huggable body.
And Mary did what anyone would do if they encountered a loved one back from the dead. She hugged him.
As for Jesus what he said - in Revelation 1.18 - has been displayed outside the church all day: 'I was dead but now I am alive for ever and ever.'
Poignantly, overnight we had heard the news of terrible scenes in Sri Lanka in which over 200 have been killed so we stopped to pray in silence before the end of the service for our brothers and sisters in that country.
And then before we concluded with a triumpant rendition of 'Thine be the glory risen conquering Son' our customary birthday slot in the notices was extended with three cheers for the Queen on her 93rd birthday, rounding off a great celebration of joy, tinged with much sadness for Sri Lanka and the suffering church throughout the world.
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