As I have indicated above we are in danger of missing the meaning of Easter if we have not followed the path to that point through the services of Holy Week, especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. If you have not been to either of these services before you may see some things which may strike you as unusual.
On Maundy Thursday the normal pattern of the Eucharist is augmented by two separate symbolic actions. After the sermon the clergy wash the feet of representatives of the congregation while the choir sing the words, Where charity and love are, there is God.’ At the end of the service we process to the side altar with consecrated bread from the Eucharist. It is paced on the altar decorated with flowers and there people come to meditate and pray until midnight as the disciples were bidden to watch with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
On Good Friday after the two hours of preaching, prayer, hymns and silent reflection between mid day and 2.00pm we have the liturgy of Good Friday which begins with the clergy entering in silence and prostrating themselves before the altar in a gesture of humility, before we hear the collect and readings, which include a dramatic’ reading of the gospel incorporating the voices of all the clergy. A large cross is then brought in and placed at the top of the chancel steps. The choir sings the Reproaches,’ traditional verses from the book of Lamentations; these are followed by the special litany for the day. The consecrated bread from the previous evening’s service is then brought to the altar and after saying the Lord’s prayer we receive communion in one kind’ (ie without the wine). After a final prayer the clergy leave in silence. The service is a very ancient and movingly spare and simple in its remembrance of the crucifixion.
I hope you will join us in both of these very important services
Holy Week Services