Easter

Our Lenten journey culminates in Holy Week and the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Day. We invite you to participate fully in this beautiful memorial sequence.

Easter Day specifically celebrates Jesus of Nazareth rising from the dead. You can read about the resurrection in each of the Gospels:

Matthew 28:1–20.

Mark 16:1–20.

Luke 24:1–53.

John 20:1–21:25.

EASTER AT ST ANDREW’S, CAMBRIDGE

Scroll down to learn more about each event and click on the links where available.

Palm Cross Creation

Join us on Saturday 28 March at 9am in the Parish Centre to learn how to make Palm Crosses.

Palm crosses are woven from palm fronds blessed during Palm Sunday services, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.​

The crosses originate from early Christian traditions connected with palm waving in John 12:13 and Matthew 21:8. Over time loose branches were turned into folded crosses for portability and preservation,

These crosses symbolise Christ’s victory over death, his humility, and the shift from triumph to sacrifice during Holy Week. We normally keep them for a year as reminders of resurrection hope and then burn them for Ash Wednesday ashes.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the celebration on the Sunday before Easter that commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Crowds welcomed him by waving and laying palm branches before him, marking the beginning of Holy Week.

Morning Devotion | 7.30am-7.45am

These are short daily prayers shaped by the themes of Holy Week: Monday – the cleansing of the Temple; Tuesday – Olivet Discourse; Spy Wednesday; Thursday – Anointing at Bethany.

Chrism Mass at Waikato Cathedral

The Chrism Eucharist will be held on Wednesday 1 April at 5.30pm in the Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter. More details here.

Maundy Thursday

A traditional service with foot (and hand) washing.

Good Friday | 10am-11am

This is a traditional service commemorating the crucifixion and final hours of Jesus.

Good Friday | 7pm-8pm

Please join us for a time of reflection and contemplation as we watch a contemporary Christian worship band sing the story of Holy Week in one hour: Golgotha. Poor Bishop Hooper comprises a husband and wife duo who set Scripture to music. Their style blends Americana, bluegrass, and indie elements with emotive vocals, minimalist instrumentation (like upright bass and guitar), to create an atmosphere ripe for reflection. We are indebted to them for generously allowing us to share their recordings. Ngaa mihi nui – thank you Jesse and Leah Roberts!

Easter Sunday | 8am & 10am

Easter Day services in the Church, with a family-focussed session involving activities and Easter eggs at 10am.

Easter Garden

Following on from the moving Lenten scenes, this special display in the Church continues to change with the Sunday Bible readings.

1. The Road to Emmaus

Two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but they did not recognise him. Jesus asked what they were discussing and they answered him saying “are you the only one in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place in the last few days?”.

They explained to the stranger what had happened and then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’

Later, while eating a meal together, they recognised Jesus who then vanished from sight.

From Luke 24 : 13 – 35