Wednesday 5 March 2008

Holy Week 2008

image The gospels devote a substantial amount of attention to the events of Holy Week. It begins with Palm Sunday, this year on 23 March. Rather than focus on Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with the crowd's shouts of hosanna and joyful waving of palm branches, we'll hear instead the whole of Matthew's Passion Narrative.

On Maundy Thursday we'll have a quiet and reflective service of holy communion in church. We remember Jesus' servant leadership, his humility, gentleness and willingness to give himself utterly for his friends, even when betrayal is imminent.

Good Friday brings the possibility of witness to the unity among Christ's followers, both here in Oadby and most dramatically, in the Christ in the Centre performance in the heart of Leicester. Our church will also be open for quiet and prayer during Good Friday afternoon for personal reflections - just come and sit a while.

On Easter Sunday we celebrate resurrection and new life, most appropriately, with a service which includes a baptism.

Sunday 16 March 10.00am St Paul's Palm Sunday service - "The Passion of Christ"
Monday 17 March 6.45pm St Peter's Methodist Evening Prayer
Tuesday 18 March 6.45pm St Peter's Holy Communion
Wednesday 19 March 6.45pm Trinity Methodist Church Compline
Thursday 20 March 9.45am St Paul's Holy Communion, followed by Coffee Pot
    11.00am Leicester Cathedral Chrism Eucharist - open to all
    7.30pm St Paul's The Lord's Supper
Friday 21 March 9.30am St Peter's CTO Good Friday service, followed by silent walk of witness
    11.00am Town Hall Square, Leicester Christ in the Centre. Full programme begins at 10.15.
    2.30pm- 5.00pm St Paul's Church open for quiet reflection.
    7.45pm URC CTO Good Friday evening service
Sunday 23 March 10.00am St Paul's Celebration of the resurrection with baptism