Lent, Holy Week and Easter
Following Jesus' journey through suffering and death to new life.
At St John's Church, we warmly invite you to join us as we journey through Lent, Holy Week and celebrate the joy of Easter. This season is a time for reflection, prayer, and community, leading us to the celebration of Christ's resurrection.
Lent and Easter are an important part of the Christian calendar. Lent for the year 2026 starts on Ash Wednesday (18th February) and lasts for 40 days (not Including Sundays). The season of Lent is a time when Christians reflect and prepare for the celebrations of Easter. Some people fast, eat frugally or give up treats following the example of Jesus, who fasted for forty days in the wilderness.
People also give to charity, set aside time to study the Bible and meet with other Christians to reflect on Jesus' life and prepare for the events of Holy Week and Easter.
A Prayer for Lent
Holy God,
our lives are laid open before you:
rescue us from the chaos of sin
and through the death of your Son
bring us healing and make us whole
in Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen.
Ash Wednesday - 18th February at 8pm
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Ashes made from palm crosses are blessed and are used to make crosses on people's foreheads. The custom dates back to the middle ages.
Ash Wednesday services set the tone for Lent, with sombre readings and hymns and a focus on penitence (saying sorry for and turning away from sin).
Palm Sunday - Sunday 29th March at 9.30am
On Palm Sunday Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to crowds and cheers. His triumphant entry into Jerusalem has been celebrated on the Sunday before Easter since the first centuries of Christianity.
The crowds waved palm branches and covered his path with them. Churches remember this with crosses made from palm leaves and hold processions like the one that Jesus experienced - sometimes with a donkey, too!
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival
heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—
the King of Israel!”
John 12:12-13
Holy Week - 30th March to 5th April
Holy Week is the name given to the week beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday.
Monday - Compline at 8pm
The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. At the end of the service, those present depart in silence.
Tuesday - Stations of the Cross at 8pm
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.
Wednesday - Tenebrae at 8pm
A special candelabra is used during Tenebrae, which usually has fifteen candles. After each reading, whether from the Psalms or gospels, a candle is extinguished until one is left. By the end of the service, the church is cast into darkness, except for the continual light of the Christ candle.
Maundy Thursday
Sung Communion of the Last Supper at 8pm
Midnight Silent Watch at 9pm
Maundy Thursday is the day when we remember Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples before his death. Maundy Thursday gets its name from the Latin word mandare meaning to command. We remember Jesus' command: 'Love one another as I have loved you'.
At the Last Supper Jesus washed the disciples' feet. Some churches recreate this act of service at special services and events. 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.
Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,
“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying,
“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Luke 22:19-20
Good Friday
United Service at 11am
The Last Hour at 2pm
Good Friday is the day when Christians remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a sombre day. Usually, churches meet, pray and reflect on the sacrifice Jesus willingly paid for all our sins.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
John 3.16
Easter Sunday - All-Age Easter Service at 10am
On Easter Sunday, churches across England will celebrate because Jesus died for our sins and then rose again. On the third day after being crucified, Jesus' tomb was found to be empty. He had risen from the dead. Life triumphs over death! The joy of resurrection is possible only because Christ endured death and conquered it.
Easter Day marks the beginning of 50 days of celebrating Jesus' resurrection. The final 10 days begin on Ascension day where we celebrate Jesus' ascension into heaven. Finally, at the end of the 50 days, we celebrate Pentecost (sometimes called Whitsun) when Jesus' disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is often referred to as the birthday of the Church.