For regular Service times, please see the Services page.

With Christians across the world, we are now entering the most solemn season in the Church's year – Passiontide and Holy Week.

Holy Week itself begins with the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Greeted as King, he rides into the holy city on a beast of burden – a donkey. His saddle are people's clothes, and his journey is made easier with more clothes and palm branches thrown before his path. To commemorate this event, the Parish Mass on 5 April begins in the church hall, when palm crosses are blessed and distributed, and we process, singing hymns into the church, when the mood rapidly changes, and the events leading up to crucifixion are read in the gospel. In the evening, there will be a joint service with our friends from the Local Ministry Group of which we are part, at St Peter's Lyngford at 6.30pm. The preacher will be the Revd David Fayle, Vicar of All Saints', Halcon, who will also be leading our devotions during Holy Week.

On Monday - Wednesday, there will be a celebration of the eucharist at each of the LMG churches. Please see the ‘Events' page for details. The services will last about 40 minutes and start at 7.00pm. At each one, we draw, with Jesus, closer into the dramatic events as they unfold.

On Maundy Thursday at 7.30pm, we will remember Jesus' command to ‘do this in remembrance of me' as he shares his Last Supper with his disciples. And just as at the Last Supper, people's feet will be washed in obedience to Jesus' command (‘mandatum', from which we get ‘Maundy'). The service ends as did the Last Supper, with Jesus going to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus, in the form of Holy Communion, is taken into a decorated chapel, where we are invited to watch and pray with him, until midnight.

Good Friday is a dreadful day. The church is stripped bare, and all ornaments are removed. A large, harsh wooden cross is carried through the church, as Jesus carried his to Golgotha, and venerated. Jesus' final hours are proclaimed in the gospel, and we are reminded of his undying love as we receive him, again in Holy Communion, reserved from Maundy Thursday. That service is at 10am; there is a reflective service from 2pm – 3pm as well.

In readiness for the resurrection, Holy Saturday sees a transformation in the church and the mood of worship. Now beautifully decorated, the church is in darkness as we meet at 8pm outside for the blessing of the New Fire, and the carrying of the Paschal (Easter) Candle into church. Psalms and readings in candlelight recall God's saving acts, until all the lights burst on, we reaffirm our baptism vows and celebrate the first eucharist of Easter.

Easter Day itself is a day of celebration – or rather the beginning of 50 days of celebration. The Church's joy at Jesus' resurrection lasts longer than Easter eggs! Services that day are at the usual time, but show the joy and wonder we feel at the good news that suffering and death has been destroyed for ever, and that life – true life – has been offered to us all.

However you may keep Easter, may it be a time of joy and blessing for you all.