"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

(John 15:13)

 

Sunday, 13th April

Jesus, amid the cheering crowd, rides on a donkey to Jerusalem

 

8:00am - Holy Communion

9:30am - Palm Sunday Parish Eucharist

The main Sunday Service for all the Church Family. This is a traditional service with hymns, readings from the Bible, a sermon and communion. There is usually an Organist, Choir, and Serving Team present for this service. This service lasts approximately one hour. Refreshments are served afterwards. 

We start our service in the Parish Centre, not the Church. We process waving our palms to the Church as we recall Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

 

Monday, 14th April

Jesus visits his friends in Bethany and Mary anoints the feet of Jesus.

 

8.00pm - Holy Communion and Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross have formed part of Christian devotion for many centuries because they offer a particularly vivid way of following in the steps of Jesus on the way to the Cross. The service lasts approximately one hour.

 

Tuesday, 15th April

Jesus foretells the betrayal of Judas and the denial of Peter. 

6.00pm - Holy Communion 

8.00pm - Holy Communion and Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross have formed part of Christian devotion for many centuries because they offer a particularly vivid way of following in the steps of Jesus on the way to the Cross. The service lasts approximately one hour.

 

Wednesday, 16th April

Judas makes a deal with the high priests; he agrees to turn Jesus over for 30 silver coins.

 

8.00pm - Holy Communion and Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross have formed part of Christian devotion for many centuries because they offer a particularly vivid way of following in the steps of Jesus on the way to the Cross. The service lasts approximately one hour.

 

Thursday, 17th April

The Last Supper takes place. Jesus institutes the sacrament of the Eucharist.

 

The Ministers will be participating in the Blessing of the Oils and renewal of commitment to ministry at Christ Church Cathedral. You can watch it live online. Service starts at 11am at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford.

 

8.00pm - The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the day when we remember Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples before his death. At the Last Supper Jesus washed the disciples' feet. We recreate this act during the service. This is not only an important reminder of the nature of Jesus, who we serve, but also the kind of service we are meant to demonstrate in our love for one another. During the service we receive the oils that were earlier blessed at the Cathedral. This is a service with readings from the bible, a sermon and communion. This service lasts approximately an hour.

 

Friday, 18th April

Jesus is sentenced to death by crucifixion. He dies on the cross and is buried in a tomb.

 

12.00pm - Good Friday Reflections

Reflections on at the foot of the Cross on Holy Week. A series of short reflections, prayers and silence. Each reflection is around 15 minutes in length. You can 'come and go' at the service and there is no expectation for you to remain for all of it. The full reflections last approximately 2 hours.

2.00pm - The Liturgy of Good Friday

Good Friday is the day when Christians remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a sombre day. We meet, pray and reflect on the sacrifice Jesus willingly paid for all our sins. During the service there is veneration of the cross. The service lasts approximately one hour.

8.00pm - Tenebrae

'Tenebrae' means darkness or shadows. The office is based on the ancient services of Matins and Lauds. It is a quiet reflective service. The service lasts approximately one hour.

 

Saturday, 19th April

Jesus' body lay in its tomb, where it was guarded by Roman soldiers. He has descended to the dead.

 

8.00pm - The Vigil

This is probably the oldest feature of the Easter celebrations. From its earliest times the Church would keep watch through the night and meditate on the mighty works of God. The heart of the Vigil is the reading of key passages from Scripture telling of God’s saving love. The service is done mostly in the darkness with limited lighting. It is a quiet reflective service. The service lasts approximately two to three hours. It is the longest service of the year!

 

Sunday, 20th April

Jesus rises from the dead.

 

5:30am - Easter Vigil 

This service begins with a symbolic expectant waiting outdoors around a fire for the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning, and this is represented visually by a large Easter (Paschal) candle, which is lit from the fire and brought into the darkened church. The service will contain readings from the Bible, and also an opportunity for all the participants to renew the promises made at their baptism. The Easter Vigil is generally a quiet and thoughtful service, but one full of joy. The service lasts approximately one and a half hours.

8.00am - Easter Holy Communion

Come to Church and celebrate Easter with us. This is a traditional service with readings from the bible, a sermon and communion (you are unable to sign school attendance registers at this service). This service lasts approximately half an hour.

9:30am - Easter Parish Eucharist

Come to Church and celebrate Easter with us. The main Sunday Service for all the Church Family. This is a traditional service with hymns, readings from the Bible, a sermon and communion. There is usually an Organist, Choir, and Serving Team present for this service. This service lasts approximately one hour. Refreshments are served afterwards.  

6:00pm - Evening Prayer

We conclude our Easter celebrations with the service of Evening Prayer.