Easter notices 2014 Well 2014 is really flying by and so we find ourselves once again about to embark upon

the most significant week of the Christian year. Forget Christmas it!s "oly Week and #aster which really matters$ for without the events of these days there would be no Christmas$ for it is only in the light of the %eath and &esurrection of 'esus that his birth takes on any meaning for us. (o it is really good for Christians everywhere to make every effort to attend the services of the coming week. We begin with Palm Sunday on the 1)th when we recall 'esus! triumphant entry into 'erusalem with the crowds shouting *"osanna+, and waving their palm branches as they greet the one they believe will free them from &oman occupation. -n each of the first three days of "oly Week we will be having a short service of Compline ./ight 0rayer1 with time for 2uiet reflection on the events of this week as we hear them in the scripture readings. -n Tuesday morning there will be a workshop for our children in the hall when they will be making lots of #aster crafts and learning something about the #aster (tory. 3hen on Maundy Thursday there is the Chrism #ucharist in the Cathedral at 11.00am when all the holy oils are blessed for the coming year and the clergy renew our -rdination vows. 4nyone is welcome to attend this service. 3hen in the evening we gather together for a #ucharist as we remember the last meal that 'esus had with his disciples when he set the pattern of service that we are called to follow by washing his disciple!s feet. 3hat meal was followed by his agony and arrest in the garden of 5ethsemane$ and so our #ucharist will be followed by a time of 2uiet reflection until midnight as we remember those final hours of 'esus before being taken away for trial. 6ou are welcome to stay for as long or short a time as you wish for the vigil. Good Friday will begin with a service for children at 10.00am followed by hot cross buns$ then from 17)pm we will have the

5ood Friday 8iturgy when we reflect on the immense sacrifice that 'esus made in giving his life for us. 4s we think on this day about how the crowds who had welcomed 'esus so triumphantly into 'erusalem on 0alm (unday 2uickly turned against him 9ust a few days later$ so we are reminded how 2uickly we can re9ect him when other things in our lives seem more important. -n Holy Saturday the #aster :igil takes place at ;.00pm and begins with the lighting of the #aster fire and the bringing of the new light of #aster into the darkened church before the light is passed through the church as the congregation!s candles are lit. 4t this service we hear a variety of <ible readings which tell us of 5od!s saving acts throughout history$ before renewing our baptismal vows. 3hen$ finally$ the clima= of the week comes on Easter Day as we celebrate the &esurrection of 'esus. 4s well as our usual morning #ucharist!s there will also be a special 3ai>e 0rayer in the evening a beautiful$ 2uiet$ candlelit service /one of these services are single entities they all stand together as part of the whole story so it seems strange to me that people will go to church on #aster day but don!t go to other "oly Week services?events. #aster %ay wouldn!t be such a happy ending if it hadn!t been preceded by 'esus! suffering and death. @t!s like only ever reading the last page of a book 7 you!d never get as much out of it than if you!d read the whole book. (o this "oly Week why not try to come along to at least one of the mid7 week services and make your #aster %ay even more meaningful+ Wishing you all a happy and a holy #astertide+ &ev!d 'an

"oly Week %iary Today Palm Sunday ;.00am #ucharist 10.00am (ung #ucharist A.)0pm (tations of the Cross Monday B.)0pm Tuesday 10712am B.)0pm ;.00pm Compline Children!s workshop in hall Compline (ervers rehearsal for Caundy 3hursday

Wednesday D.)0am #ucharist B.)0pm Compline ;.00pm (ervers rehearsal for #aster :igil Maundy Thursday 11.00am Chrism #ucharist at the Cathedral ;.00pm #ucharist E :igil Good Friday 10.00am Children!s service followed by "ot F <uns 1.00pm 5ood Friday 8iturgy ;.00pm 3ai>e prayer at #wenny 0riory Holy Saturday 10am onwards ;.00pm church cleanin all !elcome duster E polish #aster :igil please bring

Easter Day ;.00am #ucharist 10.00am Festal #ucharist A.)0pm &esurre=it + 3ai>e 0rayer in our church

2014

Church of the Resurrection Ely