Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

Palm Sunday (10.30am – 11.45am)

On Palm Sunday we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, with shouts of ‘Hosanna!’ and a procession from outside the Town Hall up Church Street to St Eanswythe’s.

Once we reach church, children go off for Children’s Church and the adults hear the story of Jesus’s arrest and crucifixion to prepare us for the week ahead. We all then gather together to share the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

You’re welcome to stay for coffee and a chat afterwards. At 12noon Fr Chris will talk through the services of the coming week, exploring some of their meaning and symbolism.

Sunday Evening ‘A meditation on the journey to the Cross’ (4pm-4.45pm)

We ponder the journey of Jesus to the Cross through prayers and readings.

Address & Compline (Monday to Wednesday 7pm – 7.30pm)

We’ll hear parts of the story of Holy Week unpacked and explored before sharing in the ancient service of ‘Compline’, a quiet service to end the day.

Maundy Thursday (7.30pm – approx. 9.45pm)

Tonight we share bread and wine to remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples and his subsequent betrayal and arrest. We also recall Jesus washing the feet of his disciples as an act of love and service. Our worship ends in confusion and darkness as we move in heart and mind to the Garden of Gethsemane, keeping watch with Jesus.

Good Friday (2pm -3.15pm)

We join Jesus for the last hour on the Cross, hearing once again the Gospel story of his last hours. We also take the opportunity to ‘venerate the Cross’ as a token of our love and respect for Jesus’ sacrifice. Finally, we share in Holy Communion; the sign and symbol of the eternal sacrifice of Jesus.

Holy Saturday (8pm – 9.15pm)

Not to be missed! This is absolutely one of the best services of the year as we begin to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead! We move from darkness into light as the Paschal (Easter) Candle is lit from a new fire and brought into church. We hear the story of God’s love for us read aloud, before Jesus’ resurrection is proclaimed and we live in its light, literally and figuratively. Join us to renew your baptismal vows and share the bread and wine of the eucharist. Stay on afterwards to celebrate with a glass of something bubbly!