Holy Week is the hardest but most rewarding time of the Christian Year, especially when we observe and share it together as unworthy but faithful disciples. We walk with Jesus from Adulation, through Companionship, Betrayal, Suffering and Acceptance to Resurrection. Please join us as often or occasionally as you are able.
Please continue to pray for St Michael’s and support your church with your time, talents and giving; we have much to look forward to together.
In other news, our resident Peregrine Falcons laid 4 eggs during the last week of March; you can follow their progress on the new camera on the website.
Sunday 2 April, Lent V, Passion, Crosses & Statues are veiled, 10.45am Sung Mass. Dorian Mode – Tallis. Song of Christ’s Glory – Grayston Ives. Ven David Gunn-Johnson.
Sun 2 Apr at 6pm, Choral Evensong & Benediction. Tallis Responses & Canticles. Psalm 30. Anthem: Lord let me know mine end, by Maurice Greene. Fr C.
Wed 5 Apr, 6pm Stations of the Cross; 7pm final Lent Reading Group Meeting.
Sun 9 Apr, Palm Sunday. N.B. Mass starts at 10.30am with a Procession around Mount Dinham. The Passion Gospel is sung. Mass in Phrygian Mode – Wood. Hosanna to the Son of David – Weelkes.
Palm Sunday 2016 with Ven David Gunn-Johnson + 2*Christopher
Mon, Tue, Wed of Holy Week – Low Mass at 10am.
Wed 12 Apr, Spy Wednesday when Judas went to the High Priest. 6pm Stations of the Cross with Stabat Mater Dolorosa -Pergolesi.
Maundy Thursday, 13 Apr, Sung Mass at 7.30pm. We remember Jesus and his Disciples in the Upper Room, the Foot-washing, how the Last Supper became the First Holy Communion, the words of Jesus to his followers, and the Betrayal. Anglican Folk Mass – Martin Shaw; Ubi caritas, Tantum Ergo – Maurice Duruflé.
The High Altar is stripped, and you may wish to watch at the Altar of Repose for part of the all night Vigil.
Fri 14 Apr, Good Friday Liturgy 10.30am. Reproaches, by Upton. Veneration of the Cross. Crux Fidelis, attr. King John IV of Portugal.
Good Friday, 8pm Tenebrae. An ancient service sung in Latin and English from the West Gallery to plainsong and polyphony by Lassus (1532-1594) and Palestrina (1525-1594) with the Miserere by Allegri (1582-1652). This profound and beautiful service takes us into the depths of Christ’s sufferings through Scripture and Music, ending in darkness and silence to symbolise Jesus’ descent to the dead.
Sat 15 Apr, Holy Saturday 8pm – The Easter Vigil brings us back from darkness to holy brightness. We kindle the New Light, bless the Paschal Candles for both St Michael’s and St David’s, hear the Exsultet, the proclamation of Christ’s Resurrection, and renew our Baptismal Vows. Stanford in C&F; Since by man came death – Handel’s Messiah.
We celebrate Easter with a Bring&Share Supper after the Easter Vigil.
Easter Sunday, 16 April, 10.45am, Festal Sung Mass and Blessing of the Easter Garden. Introit – This Joyful Eastertide – Wood; Spatzenmesse – Mozart; Hallelujah Chorus – Handel.
St Michael’s wishes you a Happy and Blessed Easter. Christ is Risen; He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Sun 23 Apr, Easter 2/I. 10.45am. Mass in F – Wood. Easter Anthem – Billings.
Sun 23 Apr from 3pm onwards. Please come and enjoy St George’s Day Cream Teas & Brass Music – £5.
Tue 25 Apr at 6pm. CBS Plainsong Mass, St Mark the Evangelist.
Wed 26 Apr at 7.30pm. The Annual Parish Church Meeting takes place at St Michael’s.
Sat 29 Apr at 9am – Men’s Breakfast at the Farmers’ Union.
Sun 30 Apr, Easter 3/II, 10.45am. Mass in A minor – Casciolini. Ego sum panis vivus – Palestrina.
Richard Barnes.