Lift High the Cross

On March 28 (Palm Sunday) we will sing the hymn "Lift High the Cross" (CHALICE HYMNAL #108).  This hymn was written in 1887 for a missions festival in England. It was first published in 1916 and since 1974 it has appeared in many denominational hymnals.   The tune CRUCIFER ( "cross bearer") was written for the text in 1916.   The refrain and stanzas of the text present the image of the cross being carried in a procession.  Processing with a cross is a weekly liturgical custom in some churches. 

 At Vine Street the brass cross on our communion table remains in place except during Advent processions and the Easter Sunday procession.  During Lent we hang an additional wooden cross over the baptistery.    This year the Worship committee and John Fleming have created a new wooden cross for us.  This cross will be carried in procession out of church at the end of our Palm  Sunday service as we sing "Lift High the Cross".    The new cross will be erected  on the front lawn for Holy Week and the week after Easter.