Holy Week is the most important week in the Christian year. It truly us a holy week that takes us from Christ's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, through the moving events of Maundy Thursday, the pain and desolation of Good Friday, to the triumphant light and joy of the resurrection.
Faithful Christians journey through these profoundly moving days by participating in the Church's rich and ancient liturgies. You are most welcome to join us as we journey with our Lord from death to life, from darkness to the bright light of Easter.
This year we are delighted that the Archdeacon of Chichester, The Venerable Dr Tom Carpenter, will be our preacher during Holy Week and Easter Day.
All services are at St Nicholas unless otherwise indicated.
Palm Sunday - 29th March
The liturgy for Palm Sunday, which is celebrated at 10.00 am, features the blessing of palms and a procession into church, recalling the triumphant entry of our Lord into the Holy City of Jerusalem. On this day the gospel reading takes the form of a dramatic reading of the Passion.
- 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
- 10.00 am Liturgy of Palms and Sung Mass for Palm Sunday
Holy Monday - 30th March
- 6.30 Said Mass in the Lady Chapel
Holy Tuesday - 31st March
- 12.00 pm Said Mass in the Lady Chapel
Holy Wednesday 1st April
- 10.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) in the Lady Chapel
- 6.30 pm Said Mass in the Lady Chapel
Maundy Thursday - 2nd April
In the liturgy for Maundy Thursday we recall Jesus’ supreme example of humble service in washing the feet of his disciples. This liturgy also commemorates the institution of the Eucharist in the upper room. The final feature of this day is the Watch before the blessed sacrament, recalling Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. People are free to come and go during the hours of the Watch.
- 8.00 pm Sung Mass of the Lord's Supper, followed by the Watch.
- 11.00 pm Compline
Good Friday - 3rd April
The ancient liturgy for Good Friday consists of three major parts: in the liturgy of the word we hear the story of our Lord's Passion and Crucifixion; in the veneration of the cross we adore our Lord in his sacrifice; in the reception of Holy Communion we become one with our Lord in his death that we might also share in his resurrection.
- 10.00 am Children's Good Friday Activity
- 1.30 pm Celebration of the Lord's Passion
Holy Saturday - 4th April
In this special service marking the beginning of our Easter celebrations, our watching and waiting throughout Lent is rewarded with light.
Our service begins outside, where from a new fire the Paschal Candle is lit. As we process into the church, the light from the candle is shared amongst the congregation. We celebrate the victory of light over darkness, of life over death, as we hear scriptural readings telling of our creation by God and how he restores us to new life. We then renew our baptismal vows, before sharing in the First Mass of Easter.
- 8.00 pm Easter Vigil and the first Mass of Easter
Easter Day - 5th April
On Easter Day we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord with great joy and thanksgiving.
- 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
- 9.00 am Eucharist at St Leonard's South Stoke
- 10.00 am Sung Mass of the Resurrection