Holy Week and Easter 2024
Join us for Worship in Holy Week and Easter
Palm Sunday 24 March
This is the first day of Holy Week when we reflect on Jesus' journey to the Cross. Our readings and reflection today focus on the events of Palm Sunday, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
8am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10am All Age Eucharist with Procession of Palms and Reading of the Passion
We gather in the courtyard to begin our service and process into church. Bring a palm or evergreen branch to carry. We will provide palm crosses.
6.30pm Service of music and readings for Holy Week
Service of choral music, hymns, reflections and readings to start Holy Week.
Monday 25 March, Tuesday 26 March, Wednesday 27 March
8.3am Morning Prayer A short seasonal service of scripture and prayer in the St Alfege Chapel.
Tuesday 26 March
8pm Night Prayer (Compline) A short said service to end the day in the St Alfege Chapel. Please enter via the north door (beside the ramp)
Maundy Thursday 28 March
This is the day we remember the last night of Jesus' life when he ate his final meal with his disciples before being taken away for trial, torture and death. It was at this meal , according to three of the Gospels and St Paul, that he broke bread and shared wine and instructed his followers to continue to do this in memory of him. It was at this meal, according to St John's Gospel, that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and instructed them to wash each others' feet. After the service we keep watch in church until midnight when the Gospel of the Betrayal is read.
8pm Sung Eucharist with Washing of Feet (or Hands) and Stripping of the Sanctuary. Watch in church until Midnight.
Good Friday 29 March
10am Family Service in St Alfege Church. A short dramatised and interactive service for all ages, starting in the churchyard, followed by hot cross buns and refreshments.
11am Liturgy of the Cross at the Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College followed by procession with the cross to St Alfege Church.
12.45pm Good Friday Worship in St Alfege Church
Meditations on the Seven Last Words of our Saviour from the Cross with music by Haydn played by the Saunders quartet. Ends around 3pm. Please come for some or all of the service.
Holy Saturday 30 March
Holy Saturday commemorates the resting of Christ's body in the tomb. It is a period of patient waiting between the sorrow and agony of the Crucifixion and the joy of the Resurrection. After sunset we gather for
11am to 1pm Meditation Labyrinth. Come and walk the labyrinth in church. Meditation labyrinths have been part of Christian spirituality for centuries. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth has only one path, to the centre and then out again, so that you can't get lost! This gives us an opportunity to reflect on life and what God might be saying to us. Help will be on hand and there will be guidance notes.
8pm Easter Vigil service
Music, readings, candles, prayers, renewal of baptismal vows and a celebratory drink afterwards. Outside church a fire is kindled. We hear scripture read telling the story of God’s saving work through history, light the Easter candle and welcome the resurrection of Jesus noisily with a bell or party popper, cheering or clapping. Do bring something to make a joyful noise! We finish with a joyful Easter hymn.
Easter Sunday 31 March
This is the day when we celebrate Jesus' Resurrection and victory over death with the first Holy Communion services of the Easter season.
8am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10am All Age Sung Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Easter Egg Hunt
Please note that there will not be a service of Choral Evensong on Easter Sunday