Discover Living Hope this Easter
There's lots happening at Bishop Ridley Church this Lent and Easter. And we'd love to see you at these events and services.
What is Lent?
But first, what is Lent? Lent is 'season' in the church which lasts for 40 days - Sundays aren't included in Lent as they are weekly feasts to celebrate the rising of Jesus from the dead. During Lent, Christians reflect and prepare for the celebrations of Easter. Some people do this by 'fasting' - or giving something up perhaps a particular food or social media - to follow Jesus' example as he fasted for 40 days in the desert. Others take up a practise such as more time in prayer or additional Bible reading. Alternatively some Christians choose to give away more money to charity.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday services set the tone for Lent, with sombre readings and hymns and a focus on reflection, saying sorry for and turning away from sin. Those attending Ash Wednesday services can choose to receive the 'imposition of ashes' which means ashes that have been made from palm crosses are blessed and used to make crosses on people's foreheads. The custom dates back to the middle ages. We'd love to see you at our Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday 5 March 2025 at 7pm.
Lent Lectures
Through Lent, you are welcome to attend Lent Lectures. Each Wednesday at 7:30pm, you can hear a talk about the history of the Nicene Creed, why we still say it and what it means for us today. Refreshements will be served after each lecture.
This year is marks the 1700 years of Christians saying the Nicene Creed to give a brief, simple summary of what they believe. The creed was agreed at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 by a gathering of bishops. The word ‘creed’ comes from the Latin word credo, meaning ‘I believe and trust’. Two creeds in particular were developed in the early centuries of the Church, which have remained important to the Church and are regularly used in our worship today. As we say the Creed, we join Christians past and present, and from all over the world, in proclaiming our common faith.
Holy Week
Holy Week is the name given to the week beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to crowds and cheers. His triumphant entry into Jerusalem has been celebrated on the Sunday before Easter since the early centuries of Christianity. The crowds waved palm branches and covered his path with them. Churches remember this with crosses made from palm leaves and hold processions like the one that Jesus experienced - sometimes with a donkey, too!
Holy Week meditations
On Monday (17 April), Tuesday (18 April) and Wednesday (19 April) of Holy Week at 7:30pm, we host reflective services as we begin the final week of Lent.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday gets its name from the Latin word mandare meaning to command. As it is the day when Christians remember Jesus' command to 'Love one another as I have loved you'. At the Last Supper Jesus washed the disciples' feet. Some churches recreate this act of service at special services and events. This is not only an important reminder of the nature of Jesus, who we serve, but also the kind of service we are meant to demonstrate in our love for one another. Maundy Thursday is also the day when Christians remember Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples before his death. It is from this meal that Christians get blueprint for Holy Communion, as set out in Luke 22:19-20:
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
At Bishop Ridley, on Maundy Thursday (Thursday 19 April) at 7pm, we will share an Agape meal - and you are invited! It is a special sit down meal for Maundy Thursday. See Holy Communion with fresh eyes during this delicious Passover style meal. Limited spaces. Book your place by emailing info@brchurch.org.uk
Good Friday
Good Friday is the day when Christians remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a sombre day. Usually, churches meet, pray and reflect on the sacrifice Jesus willingly paid for all our sins. At Bishop Ridley Church, on Good Friday (Friday 18 April) from 9:30am, we spent an hour at the cross, with a reflective service focusing on the events of Good Friday as told by the Bible. Service is followed by refreshments and Hot Cross Buns.
Walk of Witness
Many churches take part in a Walk of Witness. Christians of all denominations gather to walk through the streets of their local area together. They do this to remember that Jesus had to carry his cross publicly through the streets of Jerusalem. It is a public statement of their faith, a retelling of the crucifixion story and a reminder of Jesus’ words in Matthew 16 verse 24: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.' Members of Bishop Ridley Church will join the Churches Together Welling Walk of Witness through the high street.
Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday, churches celebrate because Jesus died for our sins and then rose again. On the third day after being crucified, Jesus' tomb was found to be empty. He had risen from the dead. Life triumphs over death! The joy of resurrection is possible only because Christ endured death and conquered it. Jesus is our Living Hope.
At Bishop Ridley Church, we will start our Easter celebrations with breakfast together at 9am, please email info@brchurch.org.uk to book your place, before our Easter celebration service at 10am. We hope to see you then.
50 days of feasting!
Easter Sunday is just the start of celebrations for Christians. For the next 50 days Christians celebrate the feast of Easter. It is the longest season in the Church and reminds us of the life changing, monumental news of Jesus rising from the dead - something that is worth celebrating. If you would like to find out why it's worth celebrating and why Christians believe what they do, come along to one of our events or services. We will also be running a Christianity Explored course soon. Find out more and book your place by emailing info@brchurch.org.uk