28/03/2024
A Warm Welcome from St John’s Church, Chester.
It’s good to see more visitors joining our services each week and also enjoying the unique history of this beautiful building. With the March events at St. Johns we hope to see even more people as the Easter services progress.
For those visitors who wish to simply have some quiet time in the Church, our Lady Chapel is set aside for you to light candles, leave prayers, or simply sit in contemplation.
We would now like to mention this month’s news and dates of events/services:
The Unknown Vikings are back on the 9th March.
This is a very popular event, so why not join us and enjoy the usual feasting and demonstrations in front of the Church. We shall also open the Chapter House to visitors in the afternoon and provide information about both the building and the contents.
We are now well into Lent and are planning our Easter services.
On Palm Sunday, the 26th March, we hold our ‘Palms to Passion’ service with the return of the Advent Singers at 6.30pm. This will be directed by Stewart Smith and led by Canon Dr Judy Hunt.
Holy Week will continue with the Stations of the Cross at 12 noon from Monday to Thursday.
On Maundy Thursday evening, we celebrate the Mass of the Last Supper at 7.30pm; this is followed with the stripping of the altars
On Good Friday, we will hold our traditional Easter Vigil, ‘Meditations on the Cross’, from 12.00 noon to 3.00pm
On Holy Saturday – The Easter Vigil, ‘The First Mass of Easter’ is celebrated at 7.30pm
On Easter Sunday we will celebrate Holy Communion at 8.00am; Sung Eucharist at 10.00am and, Compline at 6.30pm
We continue to open to visitors Mondays to Fridays from 11.00am to 3.00pm and on Saturdays from 10.00am to 4.00pm
Whilst attending our services and exploring some of Chester’s best architecture in our building, you can also enjoy our friendly cafe and shop serving tea, coffee, soft drinks and cakes.
Don’t forget, our services are detailed on our website and Instagram and please remember the hour changes in the early hours of Easter Sunday
A Bit About Easter
Easter stands as the cornerstone of the Christian faith, embodying the essence of hope, redemption, and renewal. Its significance extends far beyond the cultural symbols of bunnies and eggs, delving deep into the heart of Christian theology.
At its core, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking the culmination of the Passion Week, which includes Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. For Christians, this event is not merely historical but profoundly spiritual, representing the triumph of life over death and the fulfilment of God’s promise of salvation.
First and foremost, Easter reaffirms the belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ. Christians see his resurrection as evidence of his victory over sin and death, validating his teachings and affirming his identity as the Son of God. Through his resurrection, Christians find assurance in their faith, knowing that Jesus conquered death and offers eternal life to all who believe in him.
Moreover, Easter serves as a symbol of God’s unfathomable love and grace. In Christian theology, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is understood as the ultimate act of atonement, where he willingly took upon himself the sins of humanity. His resurrection signifies the fulfilment of God’s plan for reconciliation, offering forgiveness and the promise of a renewed relationship with God.
Furthermore, Easter inspires hope and joy among believers. It serves as a reminder that no matter how dark the circumstances may seem, there is always the promise of new beginnings and the possibility of redemption. The resurrection of Jesus instills hope for a better future both in this life and in the life to come, providing comfort and strength in times of trials and tribulations.
Additionally, Easter holds a central place in the Christian liturgical calendar, shaping the rhythm of worship and spiritual practices. The season of Lent, which precedes Easter, is a time of reflection, repentance, and preparation, while Easter Sunday itself is a celebration of joy and exaltation.
In essence, Easter encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith, serving as a profound reminder of God’s love, redemption, and promise of eternal life. It is a time of rejoicing, reflection, and renewal, inviting believers to embrace the transformative power of the resurrection in their lives.
