Journeying with Jesus: Virtual Holy Week

A message from John, the Chaplain

Holy Week is upon us. There are no Palm Sunday processions. No gathering on Maundy Thursday for foot-washing, celebrating Passover and the introduction of our Communion Feast. There is no accompanying Jesus together on Good Friday. And there is no grand Easter Celebration.

However, I believe this could be one of the most significant Holy Weeks we have ever had.

It could be a time of God touching all our hearts to lead us into new depths with him. This is my prayer.

This time of being apart has its many trials. I feel deeply the absence of Deborah, my wife. Whilst I miss her enormously, I give thanks that she is safe with Matthew, Bel and Annabel, our son and family in Australia.

So many of you are going through times of concern and even anguish. The regular prayer times here in the church at 9.30am and 6pm allow Jennie, our youth worker, and myself to bring before God people we know of needing particular prayer. This is a privilege.

So, what can we do to make this week special?

I, with the aid of the team of Jenny Shaw (our music coordinator), Jennie Hebson (youth worker) and Sara Gomez (technology), have put together a week’s material for you.

Each day we will use our new St George’s Prayer:

Our Father, as individuals and as a community
may we come to know and love you more and more,
may we feel your love and care through each other,
may we be witnesses to Christ wherever we are,
and by the power of your Holy Spirit,
may we be attentive to you, to our neighbour and to your world.

Here is the flow of the week. I offer it to you to use as you will.

The two Sundays (5th April and 12th April) will be recorded virtual services. The weekdays will be material that will be sent out to all on our mailing list. It will include material that can be meditated on, talked about and some practical things that you can do.

Palm Sunday, 5th April: Celebration of Palms & Holy Communion
Readings: Matthew 21:1-11; Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29
This service will be available on YouTube

Monday, 6th April: In Bethany with Jesus
Reading: John 12:1-11
Renewal of ministerial vows

Tuesday, 7th April: We would see Jesus
Reading: John 12:20-36
A Covenant for St George’s

Wednesday, 8th April: Love as Jesus loved
Reading: John 13:21-38
Diocesan Order of Life

Thursday, 9th April: Maundy Thursday Service & Passover
Readings: Exodus 12:1-4; Psalms 116:1,10-end; 1 Cor 11:23-26
With Good Friday preparation

Friday, 10th April: Good Friday at the Cross
Readings: Isaiah 52:13-end of 53; Psalms 22:1-11; Hebrews 10:16-25
Stations of the Cross and Sayings from the Cross

Saturday, 11th April: Black Saturday
Readings: Job 14:1-14; Psalm 31:1-5; 1 Peter 4:1-8; Matthew 27:57-end
Reflections on Absence

Sunday, 12th April: Easter Day
He is Risen!
This service will be available on YouTube

Liturgy of the Passion
The purpose of Holy Week is to share in the journey of Christ, and by doing so, to allow his life to permeate us by the Holy Spirit, so that we may more and more live to the glory of God, the Three in One and One in Three.

By doing so, we will find ourselves experiencing more of the abundant life of love, joy, peace etc promised by God.

As we focus, we are blessed. And the restrictions of these times become places of freedom and exaltation.

During this week, why not read the story of the Passion of our Lord?

A prayer and some extra readings for Holy Week:

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
Christ humbled himself and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore, God has highly exalted him
and given him the name that is above every name.
All Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:14-end of 27