Holy Week and Easter 2025
Join us for Worship in Holy Week and Easter
Palm Sunday 13 April
8am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10am Sung Eucharist with Procession of Palms and Reading of the Passion Narrative of St Luke. 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.
Monday 14, Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 April
8.30am Morning Prayer. A short seasonal service of scripture and prayer in the St Alfege Chapel. Please enter via the main north door (beside the ramp)
Monday 14 April
8pm Night Prayer (Compline). A short service to end the day in the St Alfege Chapel.
Maundy Thursday 17 April
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 other’s feet. After the service we keep watch in church until midnight when the Gospel of the Betrayal is read.
8pm Sung Eucharist. In Church. With Washing of Feet (or Hands) and Stripping of the Sanctuary. Watch in church until Midnight.
Good Friday 18 April
10am Family Service. In Church. A short dramatized and interactive service for all ages, starting in the churchyard, followed by hot cross buns and refreshments.
12 noon Liturgy of the Cross. At the Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College followed by procession with the cross to St Alfege Church.
2pm Good Friday Worship. In Church. Readings, prayers, hymns, silence and reflections on the Psalms led by our clergy and lay ministers. Finishes around 3pm.
Holy Saturday 19 April
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 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 loud and joyful noise! We finish with a joyful Easter hymn.
Easter Sunday 20 April
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