In the Lenten season, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday.
This Sunday observes Jesus's triumphant and joyful entrance into Jerusalem, marked by jubilant crowds waving palm branches, which symbolize victory over sin, peace, and eternal life.
(see Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19).
The choir hold palm branches as they process into the chancel.
The Gospel of the Passion will be read.

Because Thursday night of Holy Week corresponds to the Last Supper, it includes Jesus saying, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” This is the night of that New Commandment, in other words, it is New Commandment Thursday. The word 'Maundy' is derived from 'Commandment'.
At the end of this service, the altar is stripped of linens, candles and hangings leaving bare. It is a solemn, quiet ceremony. It represents Christ being stripped for crucifixion and the desolation of the coming Good Friday.

A quiet time of reflection. Drop in and out at any time during this hour to listen to devotional music.

A service of hymns, readings, prayer and reflection on Jesus's last hour.
Congregations typically leave in silence after the Good Friday service reflecting the solemnity of Christ's death and burial. The service ends without a final blessing or dismissal.

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate because Jesus died for our sins and then rose again.
Throughout Lent, St Mary's is kept stark and bare but on Easter Sunday, the church is decorated with flowers and the sombre purple of Lent is replaced with celebratory white or gold.
There is a joyful feel to our Easter Sunday service with uplifting music and repeated alleluias (an exclamation of joyful praise).

Please note that there will be
NO EVENING SERVICE ON EASTER DAY.