Understanding What It Means to Put God First and Live a Life of Sacrifice and Forgiveness

Where:

Holy Sepulchre Church and Church Halls, 1 Church Ln, Northampton NN1 3NL.

Good To know:

Enter the Church via Sheep Street or Church Lane. The church is cold in winter so wrap up warm. For the Church rooms use the Church Lane entrance.

Parking:

There is limited diabled parking off Church Lane. There is a pay and display car park at the end of Church Lane and in the evening parking is free in some of the surrounding area.

Contact:

What It Really Means to Put God First

As a church built to echo the great Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Holy Cross Day carries a special weight for us here at the Holy Sepulchre in Northampton. The word Sepulchre means tomb, and in Jerusalem the church was raised over both the place of the crucifixion and the tomb of Christ. The very heart of our own story, our building, and our faith starts and ends with the Cross.

When Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23), he was calling his followers into a life of sacrifice and faithfulness. Carrying the Cross isn’t a light burden or an optional extra, it is the daily choice to put God first, even when it costs us something.

That cost might look different for each of us. It might mean holding firm to truth when it’s unpopular, or letting go of pride when forgiveness feels impossible. As Christians, we are called to do even more, to live surrendered lives.

To make this real in our own lives, here are two challenges for everyone, whether you’re young or old:

Be a helper: Look for someone who might be having a tough time, maybe at school, at home, or in your neighbourhood. A kind word, a smile, or just spending time with them can make a big difference.

Try to forgive: If someone has upset you, see if you can let go of that hurt and forgive them. Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it helps us build peace and strong friendships.

Let’s use Holy Cross Day to remember that, together, we can bring hope and kindness into the world, no matter our age.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you carried the Cross for us and laid down your life in love.
Teach us to take up our own cross with courage,
to put God first in all we do,
to help those who are hurting,
and to forgive as we have been forgiven.
May the sign of the Cross be not only on our buildings,
but written on our hearts and lived in our lives.
Amen.

This article was written by Sarah Newton and reflects her opinion on this matter. Other opinions within the church and the wider Church of England may differ.