EASTER IN THE PARISH

Easter in our Parish is a joyful celebration of Christ’s resurrection, bringing our community together in worship, reflection, and thanksgiving. From the solemnity of Holy Week to the triumph of Easter Sunday, we journey through the heart of our faith with special services, prayer, and music. Our churches will be filled with the beauty of spring flowers, the sound of uplifting hymns, and the warmth of fellowship as we rejoice in the hope and new life that Easter brings.

Holy Week is a sacred time when we walk with Christ through his final days, from the triumph of Palm Sunday to the sorrow of Good Friday, culminating in the joy of Easter Sunday. It is a time of deep reflection and joyful celebration, marked by a range of services and events that bring our community together.

PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As he rode on a donkey, crowds gathered, laying down palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Matthew 21:9). This moment of celebration contrasts with the events that follow, reminding us of the journey towards the cross.

8:00am Holy Communion at St Mary’s

10:00am All Age Communion at St Mary’s

MAUNDAY THURSDAY

Maundy Thursday is a solemn and reflective day in Holy Week, marking the night of the Last Supper when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and gave the commandment to love one another. It is also the night of his betrayal in Gethsemane, leading to his arrest and trial. This year, we will observe Maundy Thursday with a Tenebrae service, a deeply moving service of light and shadow. Through scripture readings, music, and the gradual extinguishing of candles, we journey through the growing darkness of Jesus’ final hours. The service ends in silence, symbolising the weight of the night when Christ was taken from his disciples.

7:00pm Tenebrae at St Mary’s

GOOD FRIDAY

Good Friday is a day of deep reflection and sorrow as we remember Christ’s crucifixion and the immense sacrifice he made for us. One of the most poignant ways we mark this day is through our Walk of Witness in and around Wargrave. As we walk together through the village, we pause at key points for prayers and reflections, retracing the journey of Jesus to the cross. This public act of faith is a solemn yet powerful reminder of Christ’s suffering and love for the world.

Later in the day, we gather for An Hour at the Cross, a service of scripture, silence, and prayer, offering space to reflect on the events of Good Friday and their meaning in our lives. Through these acts of worship, we are invited to stand at the foot of the cross, to remember, and to prepare our hearts for the hope and joy of Easter

10:00am Walk of Witness in Wargrave

2:00pm An Hour at the Cross at St Mary’s

EASTER SUNDAY

Easter Sunday is the most joyful and significant day in the Christian calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It marks the triumph of life over death, hope over despair, and love over sin. After the sorrow of Good Friday, Easter brings renewal, reminding us of God’s promise of eternal life and our churches are to be filled with joyful worship, music, and celebration as we proclaim, "Christ is risen!" This day invites us to embrace the hope and transformation that Christ’s victory brings, renewing our faith and calling us to share His love with the world.

6:00am Easter Sunrise on Mill Green

8:00am Holy Commuinon at St Mary’s