Christ Church and St John
Lent, Holy Week and Easter
- Lent is the season of preparation before Easter. During Lent, Christians are encouraged to examine themselves, to say sorry for when they have fallen short of God’s will for them, to deny themselves and to study and prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Day. As we move towards the great celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter, the life and worship of our Parish will reflect this attitude of self-examination, study and preparation.
- Holy Week is the final week of Lent. During this week, we recall the events of the last week of Jesus’ life: his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, his final meal with his disciples on Maundy Thursday, his arrest, trial and crucifixion on Good Friday.
- Easter is the church’s celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection three days after he was crucified. Jesus’ tomb was found empty with the stone rolled away and the risen Christ appeared to his friends. This is the most important event in the Christian faith. We begin our celebration with a vigil on Easter Eve. The season of Easter draws to a close with Pentecost. This was when Jesus’ disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel message.
Rough Guide to Christianity
- Sunday 21st February
5.00pm Gathering and Greeting - Sunday 28th February
5.00pm Penitence and Prayer - Sunday 7th March
5.00pm The Liturgy of the Word - Sunday 14th March
5.00pm The Liturgy of the Sacraments: Baptism - Sunday 21st March
5.00pm The Liturgy of the Sacraments: Eucharist - Sunday 28th March
5.00pm Sending Forth
On the six Sunday evenings during Lent, our ‘Rough Guide to Christianity’ will be looking at what it means to be a disciple. The sessions will take place at 5.00pm in the Vicarage Room and include a light supper.
Events and Services for Lent, Holy Week and the Easter Season
- Sunday 14th March
Mothers’ Day
11.00am Join us for a Eucharist and celebration of Mothers’ Day.
Our drumming group will be performing and we will share a celebration lunch after the service. - Sunday 28th March
Palm Sunday
10.30am Meet at Albion Avenue to process with a donkey to Christ Church as we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
Our Parish Eucharist at Christ Church starts at 11.00am and will include a reading of the Passion Story from St Mark’s Gospel. - Monday 29th March
Monday in Holy Week
7.30pm Eucharist followed by Compline at Christ Church A chance for quiet contemplation at the beginning of Holy Week. - Tuesday 30th March
Tuesday in Holy Week
7.30pm Passover Meal in the Vicarage Room We share a Passover Meal just as Jesus and his disciples did. As we eat together, we recall the history of God’s saving works. - Wednesday 31st March
Wednesday in Holy Week
9.00am Stations of the Cross at St John’s
7.30pm Stations of the Cross at Christ Church
Using pictures on the walls of our churches, this is a chance to prayerfully walk through Jesus’ journey from his arrest to his trial and crucifixion. - Thursday 1st April
Maundy Thursday
7.30pm Eucharist, Foot-washing and Vigil at Christ Church We remember the events on the night Jesus was arrested. - Friday 2nd April
Good Friday
10.00am Preparation of the Easter Garden
11.00am Good Friday Liturgy
We remember Jesus’ crucifixion. - Saturday 3rd April
Easter Eve
10.00am Church cleaning and transformation of the Easter Garden
8.30pm Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter with Baptism and admission to Communion.
- Sunday 4th April
Easter Day
11.00am Easter Festival Parish Eucharist
We continue to celebrate the Resurrection. - Sunday 23rd May
Pentecost on Larkhall Park
11.00am Parish Festival Eucharist and Picnic Meal
Depending on the weather, our celebration of Pentecost takes place on Larkhall Park, behind the Baptist Church. Please bring food to share!