Lent and Easter in St Peter’s, including Stainer’s Crucifixion, sung by the choir.

Holy Week began with our services on Palm Sunday, which celebrated the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. It reminds Christians of the wish to welcome Jesus into our hearts, and the willingness to follow him.

Easter Day: Sunday 9th April, 9am & 10.45am: Services of Holy Communion to celebrate the Risen Lord.

Lent Groups: Wednesday 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th March, 7.30pm-9pm.

In the Choir Vestry

Janet, Lenore, Roddy and Sue will share in the leading of the sessions. Each session can stand alone and so it is possible to miss a week if you need to. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to chat with each other at about 8.30pm. Using the poem ‘Leisure’ by W. H. Davies, the course gently reminds oneself of how important it is to take time out from the hustle and bustle of life; time simply to be still in the presence of God. It encourages us to respond to God’s presence with us in the course of our daily lives and presents us with the opportunity to deepen our faith as we journey through Lent.

All are very welcome to attend these groups. If you are hoping to come it would be helpful to please email the Office so that we have some idea of how many leaflets to print, but if you don’t manage to find us beforehand, please still just come. Email: office@stpetersedinburgh.org

‘Leisure’

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

William Henry Davies (1871-1940)

Our Ash Wednesday Communion service on 22nd February marked the start of Lent, the 40 days before Easter.

Ash Wednesday: Wednesday 22nd February, 7.30pm: Holy Communion for Ash Wednesday

Palm Sunday: 2nd April, 9am & 10.45am: Services of Holy Communion for Palm Sunday. It marks the start of Holy Week, and celebrates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. It reminds Christians of the wish to welcome Jesus into our hearts, and the willingness to follow him.

Maundy Thursday: 6th April, 11am (said), 7.30pm (sung): Services of Holy Communion for Maundy Thursday. It commemorates Jesus’s institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper. Deriving from the Latin word ‘mandatum’, the word ‘Maundy’ reflects on the words Jesus spoke, which are written in John 13: 34; ‘A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you’. The readings and Liturgy Books can be found here: https://stpetersedinburgh.org/readings-collect-years-mind-for-when-not-in-church

Holy Week events with Newington Churches Together;

Monday 3rd April – Friday 7th April, 7.45am; As in previous years, fifteen minutes of worship and reflection to start each day, followed with a light breakfast of juice, cereal, rolls, tea & coffee is being held throughout Holy Week. Starting at 7.45am in Craigmillar Park Church, the services will be led by a range of church leaders from across the area.

Good Friday, 7th April, 9.30amWalk of Witness; The annual Walk of Witness with Christians from local churches will visit four NCT churches, stopping outside each for a short time of reading, singing and prayer. Starting at 9.30am at Craigmillar Park Church, it will then proceed to St Columba’s Catholic Church, and St Peter’s, before finally arriving at the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church.

Good Friday: Friday 7th April, 7.30pm: The events of the Crucifixion are being sung by the choir through John Stainer’s ‘Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer’.