Holy Week at St Mary Abbots Church

This is the most solemn moment in the Christian Year.  During Holy Week we offer the richest and most profound acts of worship, with many opportunities for you to be involved,
If you are going to be in Kensington, do consider how you can play YOUR part in this drama of our redemption.   And make sure your friends and neighbours know about our worship - it's often surprising to find out who'd like to go to church over this Holy season.

Click here for details of Holy Week for Children>>

 


HOLY SATURDAY - 4 April
10.00am - 12noon The Easter Preparation
We need EVERYONE’S help, young and old, as we prepare the church to celebrate the Resurrection. 
We will sweep, polish, and dust, spring clean it from top to bottom, decorate it with flowers and the children will make an Easter Garden.  

Again, we have a list of those willing to volunteer to help.  Turn up whether you've signed the list or not - half an hour's help is welome, if you can't offer more!

EASTER DAY 5 APRIL
5.00am  -The Easter Vigil, Ceremonies, Baptisms and First Eucharist
The year’s most complex, wonderful – and longest! – service. We gather before dawn and hear in the still-dark church readings from the Old Testament, retelling our salvation history.  Then we move outside and light the New Fire, symbolising the Resurrection of Christ from the dead.  The new Paschal or Easter Candle is lit from it and carried into the dark church.  From it all the candles are lit and The Exultet, the Easter hymn of praise, is sung.  We bless the baptismal waters, baptise three members of our adult confirmation group, and all renew our baptismal vows.  Finally, the First Eucharist of Easter is celebrated, for Christ has risen from the dead and our Communion with him will never be broken.  Bring bells, rattles & whistles to celebrate Christ rising from the Dead.   

Once again, following the service Alison Steel is providing the most splendid cooked breakfast to break the Lenten Fast – minimum contribution £5.00 please.

9.30am - Family Eucharist of Easter with Procession and Baptisms
The Easter Family Eucharist is the year’s most joyful service.  It has fine music led by our professional choir, and includes an all-age address, a procession to the font and the baptism part of the service.  The Creche and Chrysalis groups meet for the youngest children.  

Between the Family Eucharist and 11.15 Solemn Matins we gather all our congregations together with drinks for the grown-ups (thanks to the baptism families) and Easter eggs for the children.

11.15am - Solemn Matins -- Preacher, Bishop Nigel Stock, Bishop at Lambeth
Our traditional service from the Book of Common Prayer with magnificent music - Vaughan Williams, Scheidt, Howells and Hassler - from our extended professional choir.  The Vicar preaches the Easter Sermon.

5.00pm - Festal Evensong
The day concludes with that unique Church of England contribution to Christian liturgy, Choral Evensong.  Once again, our extended professional choir lead our worship with glorious music by Blair and Leighton. 

For those who have not received the Easter Sacrament, a short service of Holy Communion follows immediately.