Easter
last updated on: 26th Mar 2013
Holy Week and Easter
Holy Week leading to Easter Day is celebrated by Christians around the world to commemorate the most important events in Christianity: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Archdeacon of Loughborough, David Newman has memorised the entirety of Mark’s Gospel and is reciting it nine times this week around Leicestershire. In this short video he explains the significance of Mark’s account of Jesus life this Holy Week. One of those present commented, “I have never heard a gospel in one go like that … it brought an immediacy and an extraordinary feeling of listening to pretty nearly an eye witness account.” Continue reading to see where, when and why.
Monday 25th March, 7:30pm, St Botolphs, Shepshed – directions here: http://www.shepshedandoaks.co.uk/contact/index.php
Tuesday 26th March, 7:30pm, St Philip and St James, Groby – directions here: http://www.bradgateteam.org.uk/groby.htm
Wednesday 27th March, 2:00pm, St Nicholas, South Kilworth – directions here: http://www.achurchnearyou.com/south-kilworth-st-nicholas/
Wednesday 27th March, 7:30pm, Holy Trinity, Leicester – directions here: http://www.holytrinityleicester.org/directions.htm
Maundy Thursday 28th, 7:30pm, All Saints, Asfordby – directions here: http://www.achurchnearyou.com/asfordby-all-saints/
Good Friday, 29th March, 7:30pm, Christ Church, Thurnby Lodge – directions here: http://www.achurchnearyou.com/thurnby-lodge-Christ-Church/
Saturday 30th March, 7:30pm, St Mary’s Nanpantan – directions here: http://www.easm.co.uk/stmary/about/directions
Attendance is free, with the option at some venues of contributing to the Bishops Lent Appeal for the church in Tanzania - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?uniqueVmgCharityUrl=DioceseOfLeicester
David writes more about why, in his programme notes, “It was over thirty years ago that I heard Alec McGowan perform Mark’s gospel on the London stage. I was captivated by it and have always felt since then that if secular theatre could make so much of one of the church’s core texts, we ought to be doing a better job with them in the church. Over the years, I have occasionally learnt bits of it – most notably the passion narrative – and have sometimes encouraged readings in church to be learnt rather than simply read. However last year a fund-raising challenge spurred me on to learn and recite all of it and it proved to be a memorable experience for me and evidently for those who heard it as well.
Alec McGowan learnt the gospel in the King James Version, while I have opted for the more contemporary New International Version. I have also pared it down a little to about an hour and a half of actual recital. That seemed about the right length for me and for the audience. It falls naturally into two halves. In the first part there is a real emphasis on establishing the identity of Jesus as people encounter him in the things he said and did. Then the mood changes as he very deliberately journeys towards Jerusalem and faces into the growing opposition from the religious establishment. I see a real parallel here with the human journey of the first half of life establishing who we are by developing our strengths and achieving our potential, and then what has sometimes been called ‘the second journey’ as we come to terms with age, mortality, weakness and failure and let go of ourselves in serving others. This gospel explores the spiritual meaning and significance of those journeys for Jesus as Messiah and for all who ‘take up their cross’ as his disciples.
Mark’s gospel is intrinsically pacy and dramatic. Words like ‘at once’ or ‘immediately’ pepper the text. Two other words appear regularly - ‘amazed’ and ‘afraid’. I can certainly identify with a Christian vocation that is lived out between those two poles of experience. McGowan also concluded that ‘whether or not you are a believer, it is impossible to study St Mark carefully and not know – without any shadow of doubt – that something amazing happened in Galilee two thousand years ago.’ Certainly his recital all those years ago had that sort of effect on me – and I dare to believe that all who come in Holy Week, churchgoer or seeker, might experience something equally powerful and life-shaping.”
There's a video from Damaris to accompany each day of Holy Week
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter Day. Churches throughout the diocese will be processing through their parishes, commemorating Jesus triumphal arrival in Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Passover. They will tell the story of Jesus’ last few day in Jerusalem, ending with his death on cross.
Palm Sunday in the Bible: Matthew 21
On Maundy Thursday we remember the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, and his betrayal by Judas. During the meal Jesus took bread and wine and shared them with his disciples.
In the Cathedral on Maundy Thursday at 11am the Bishop gathers with his clergy, and lay people who come to support them, to renew their commitment to ministry together. You are very welcome to join them.
There is also a Eucharist of the Last Supper with Washing of the Feet beginning at 7.30pm
Good Friday is the day Christians observe as the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ. Many churches will have a simple service to pray and remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
In the city centre of Leicester on Good Friday, thousands of Christians will gather to take part in a dramatic retelling of Jesus journey to the cross, ending with an act of worship in Humberstone Gate. More information can be found here.
There are also services at midday and 7.30pm.
Easter Day is the day when Christians celebrate Jesus’ return to life from death in his resurrection. This is the central day of the Christian faith, and Christians everywhere will have special services of celebration and thanksgiving.
In Leicester Cathedral at 6am, Christians will gather to tell the Easter story, to light the new fire of Easter (symbolizing the new life offered to us through Jesus’ resurrection). Over 30 people will be confirmed at this service, committing themselves to follow Jesus in their lives.
The Bishop will also preside and preach at the 10.30am Cathedral Eucharist, followed by a childrens Easter Egg Hunt.
Please do come along to join in the celebrations.
Full details of events at Leicester Cathedral over Easter:
Sunday 24 March - Palm Sunday
8.00am - Eucharist
10.30am - Palm Sunday Procession and Eucharist
with sung Gospel of the Passion.
4.00pm - Choral Evensong
Preacher: Revd Canon David Monteith, Canon Chancellor
Monday 25 March
1.00pm - Reflective Organ Recital with Poems and Prayers
Our monthly lunchtime organ recitals continue with this Holy Week performance from Simon Headley, Assistant Director of Music.
Admission is free.
5.30pm - Choral Eucharist with Homily
Preacher: Revd Julie Ann Heath, Chaplain
6.30pm - Compline
Tuesday 26 March
5.30pm - Choral Eucharist with Homily
Preacher: Revd Canon Johannes Arens, Canon Precentor
6.30pm - Compline
Wednesday 27 March
5.30pm - Choral Eucharist with Homily
Preacher: Revd Canon Barry Naylor, Acting Dean and Urban Canon
6.30pm - Compline
Thursday 28 March - Maundy Thursday
11.00am - Chrism Eucharist
with the Renewal of Ordination Vows, the Celebration of Ministries
Preacher: The Bishop of Leicester
7.30pm - The Eucharist of the Last Supper
with Washing of Feet, concluding with a silent vigil until 10.00pm
Preacher: Revd Canon Johannes Arens, Canon Precentor
Friday 29 March - Good Friday
11.00am & 2.00pm - Christ in the Centre
Two performances at Humberstone Gate
For more information visit http://citc.dioceseofleicester.com
12.00noon - 2.00pm - The Preaching of the Cross with prayers, hymns, music, addresses and silence in four half-hour sections.
Preacher: Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Area Dean, City of Leicester Deanery
2.00pm - Good Friday Liturgy: The Celebration of the Passion
with the Cathedral Choir
7.30pm - Prayers and Taize Songs around the Cross
Homily: Mads Morgan, Bishop's Youth Advisor
Saturday 30 March - Holy Saturday
10.30am - Building an Easter Garden
Children of all ages are invited to come and help build an Easter Garden in the Cathedral Precincts.
7.30pm - 6.00am - Risen: Travelling with Jesus through Death to Life
A Vigil of prayer and praise, films, games and conversation with the Bishop of Leicester
Sunday 31 March - Easter Sunday
6.00am - Easter Ceremonies including the lighting of the Easter Fire, Baptism by Immersion and Confirmation, followed by breakfast.
Preacher: The Bishop of Leicester
10.30am - Festal Choral Eucharist
Setting: Haydn 'Little Organ Mass'
Preacher: The Bishop of Leicester
4.00pm - Choral Evensong
Preacher: Revd Canon Barry Naylor, Acting Dean and Urban Canon
