Easter and Lent
Details for all our services, events and activities at this special time
During Lent
Jesus said .. “I am the resurrection and the life" John 11 v25
Pancake Cafe
Tuesday 17th February
2.30-4.00pm
Parish Room
Please join us for PANCAKES and a cuppa this Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day as it is known. It is one last chance for a big party before Lent begins with Ash Wednesday the next day.
Read more here about the countdown to Easter and why we have Pancake Day
We will have great fun tossing pancakes. An event for all the family age 0-99!
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday 18th February 5.30pm
Church
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent when we are considering the journey ahead.
Ashes made from the Easter 2024 palm crosses are blessed and used to make crosses on people's foreheads. The custom dates back to the middle ages.
The Ash Wednesday service sets the tone for Lent, with readings and hymns and a focus on penitence.
This service includes Communion
World Day of Prayer
Friday 6th March
2pm
Parish Room
This year’s focus is “I will give you rest, come” and is written by women from Nigeria
Click here for more details on our "events" page.
Lent Course
Week starting 23rd February
Wednesdays: Bramble Hall, Balcombe
Mondays: St. Richards, Haywards Heath
This year we "digging deeper" into the gospel of Matthew. Following the Diocese lent course.
Printed resources will be available at each session.
Wednesdays
25th February; 4th March; 11th March; 18th March; 25th March
12.30 start with light lunch before the study
Bramble Hall, Balcombe
Mondays
25th February; 2nd March; 9th March; 16th March; 23rd March
7pm
St. Richards Church, Haywards Heath
Mothering Sunday
Sunday 15th March
9.30am
Church
A time to give thanks for our mothers and the church family.
Palm Sunday
Sunday 29th March
9.30am
Church
Jesus riding in to Jerusalem marks the start of Holy week. Crowds welcomed him waving palms
Palm crosses and a procession within the church help us remember this occasion.
This service includes Communion
"The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—
the King of Israel!”
John 12:12-13
Holy Week
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life John 3 v 16
Maundy Thursday
Thursday 2nd April
5.30pm
Church
Maundy Thursday is the day when we remember Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples before his death (Luke 22 v:19-20)
At the Last Supper Jesus washed the disciples' feet. As a mark of love Fr David offers to wash our feet during this service. This is reminder of the nature of Jesus, and a demonstration of the kind of service we are meant to demonstrate in our love for one another.
This service includes Communion.
Good Friday
Children’s Service
Friday 3rd April
10am
Church
Good Friday is the day when we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
This is a service where the children are encouraged to experience what it was like to be followers of Jesus. And is an opportunity for families to reflect on the events of Holy Week and Easter.
In the image above the children are acting out sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane:
"Jesus asked "Couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour?" Matthew 26 v40
Good Friday
Last Hour
Friday 3rd April
3pm
Church
Last Hour service
Good Friday is the day when we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
A quiet service of devotion as we contemplate the Cross of Jesus
Easter Day
"He is Risen" Luke 24
Dawn Vigil
Sunday 5th April
6am
Church
A symbolic expectant waiting for the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning at dawn. The Easter candle, which is lit from a fire and brought into a darkened church.
This depiction of new life and light represents Jesus’ resurrection on the first Easter morning.
The Dawn Vigil is a quiet and thoughtful service, but one full of joy.
This service includes Communion.
Holy Communion (BCP)
Sunday 5th April
8am
Church
An Easter celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
Easter Lilies decorate the church and are in memory of loved ones. Names are read out during the service. If you would like a loved on remembered:
This service includes Communion from Book of Common Prayer (BCP)
Family Eucharist
Sunday 5th April
9.30am
Church
An Easter celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
Families and children will have the opportunity to enjoy the Easter garden with the stone now rolled back.
This service includes Communion.