Tag Archives: lent

Easter Worship – Maundy Thursday

Posted on by

Services for Maundy Thursday take place throughout the day at our churches in the Launde Deanery Community – See all the details here:

Launde Deanery Full service pattern for Easter

Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Two services at St Peter’s Church this Easter and a family service for children at Thorpe Langton on Sunday 12th April, as some of our families are away over the holidays. Everyone welcome.

  • Good Friday Reflection, 2pm – 3pm and
  • Easter Sunday 5th April 11.00am

Maundy Thursday

This day marks the events which lead up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion. We remember his last meal with his closest friends, his agony at prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, preparing for the inevitable torture and death which was to come; his betrayal by Judas and the long hours overnight after his arrest and the denial of him by Peter as the cockerel crowed at dawn. It is a harrowing story, recounted in the four gospels and never easy to read.

What happens at services on Maundy Thursday?

The name, ‘Maundy’, comes from the Latin mandatum (commandment), recalling John 13:34, “Love one another as I have loved you”.

Typically, services are Holy Communion services, where we remember the Last Supper, where Jesus explained to his disciples what was going to happen. He told them that the bread and wine were his body and blood, shed for everyone.

He told them how important it is to serve and care for each other and washed their feet. Many services continue this practice for penitents today.

Finally, services finish with a solemn task of stripping the altar, so the church is bare and stark to remember his death on the cross the next day

Maundy Thursday in the UK

Traditionally, in the UK, the reigning monarch distributes ‘Maundy Money’ as a gift of alms to the elderly. These little pouches of silver coins acknowledge service and dedication by the recipient. We were delighted when a resident of our village received this special gift from the late Queen Elizabeth II when she celebrated Maundy Thursday at Leicester Cathedral in 2017. The recipient’s name was put forward for her long service to St Peter’s and now in her 90s, still attends church regularly. A very much loved and well deserving recipient of the most special gift.

Read about Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Leicester Cathedral

The Church of England has a really useful guide online called Maundy Thursday Fact File which you might enjoy reading

Ink and wash sketch of a foot being washed over a bowl, held by a gentle hand, by Maxine Dodd artist. The image shows the foot dripping with water over a bowl, in shades of teal blue
A gentle hand washes a foot, by Maxine Dodd

Looking forward to Holy Week and Easter

Posted on by

The Launde Deanery service will be at Hallaton church at 11am, Sunday 29th March 2026

EVERYONE WELCOME

Palm Sunday

The season of Lent is almost over, as this weekend we reflect upon and remember Jesus’s last week before his death upon the cross. This weekend, Christians celebrate Palm Sunday and remember Jesus’s arrival to Jerusalem on a donkey; his way strewn in palm branches by the people, singing ‘Hosanna’. Traditionally, in churches all over the world, crosses made from the fronds of palms are given to children and adults to carry with them. Next year, any left over are burnt and the ashes mixed with scented oil. This paste is used by priests to mark the heads of penitents at the start of Lent – and the cycle of Lent and Easter starts again.

More about Palm Sunday

The Church of England has a really useful guide online called Palm Sunday Fact File which you might enjoy reading

Learn more
Photo by Maxine Dodd of a collection of seven Palm Sunday crosses, against a black background. The crosses are handmade from fronds of real palm trees, used by the people to greet Jesus as he arrived in Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week.
Traditional Palm Crosses by Maxine Dodd

Mothering Sunday – The mid point of Lent

Posted on by

Sunday 15th March, 11am

All Age Worship today at
St Andrew’s in Tur Langton, 11am

A reminder that this Sunday, the celebration of Mothering Sunday in the Langtons, takes place at St Andrew’s in Tur Langton. An all-age service where everyone can take part and enjoy a celebration of mums and motherhood.

Mothering Sunday and its history

Mothering Sunday is a special day in the calendar for many reasons. It’s date fluctuates, along with all the Lent and Easter dates, which fall in line with the phases of the moon. Read all about that interesting connection in our article about Lent.

Usually, Mothering Sunday marks the midpoint of Lent – and for those fasting, traditionally, is a day off from strict limitations. Over the years, its name has changed outside the church to Mother’s Day, a time to spend with our mums and thank them for carrying us, bringing us into the world and nurturing us throughout our lives.

Mother Church – a spiritual mother

Going back to the festival in the 16th Century, the day marked and celebrated not our earthly, human mothers, but the ‘Mother Church‘ – the church people where grew up, where they were baptised and where their parents probably still resided. Workers on large estates were granted time to visit family and go to their home church to worship.

Traditional gifts for mothers for many years were the flowers in bloom at the time. Primroses and violets often flower together and were a favourite for children. Small flowers, small stems were easy for little fingers to pick and these tiny early flowers are the brightest and cheeriest growing in early Spring.

These strong plants are essential pollinators for bees and hoverflies as they emerge from winter hibernation and very easy to grow. They love open grass and a sunny spot. Usually if you plant a primrose, the violets find them and set themselves naturally alongside. Just allow Mother Nature to do her thing and you’ll be rewarded.

Mothering Sunday – A traditional flower in the UK, the wild Primrose

Simnel cake for Easter and Mothering Sunday

The traditional food for this special day is a Simnel Cake, a lighter fruit cake than Christmas but made with marzipan and decorated with 11 marzipan balls – which represent the disciples of Christ, not 12 as Judas does not appear on the cake. If you make one, count them carefully! Here’s a recipe for Simnel Cake to try.

Mothering Sunday today

These days, like Christmas, Mother’s Day is a much more commercial affair, but at its heart lie the same intentions as always, to think about how we came to be here and the unique contribution to our lives by our mums. Our relationship with our mother, is our first physical relationship we have.

The bond to our mothers is made of flesh, through which we grow, from embryo to baby. Once born, our relationships to her, our fathers and siblings develops and widens, but that first connection is physical, spiritual and unique.

Jesus and Mary

Arguably, the most well-known mother and son in world history. It is interesting to see their relationship through the gospels. Mary delighted in her son and whilst initially startled by God’s choice of her as his son’s earthly mother, embraced and followed her path with dedication and wisdom. Throughout his life, we see her reflect and ponder on the boy she gave birth to in the stable and his influence on the world and people around him.

Water into Wine, Jesus’s first miracle

The first miracle of Jesus’ ministry, took place at a wedding and shows a lovely side of their relationship.

Jesus and Mary were at a big wedding celebration in Cana in Galilee. The wine ran out, leaving many thirsty guests and a difficult situation for the wedding host.

Mary knew who could solve the problem.

Jesus told her that his time had not yet come. He wasn’t ready… but like all good mothers, Mary knew better.

She knew his time was here and his time was NOW. So, she ignored Jesus and told the servant, ‘Do what he tells you to do’.

The rest of the story is so well known. Jesus told the servant to take the wine jugs to the water vessels and fill them from there. Instead of water, wine poured out – and no one was thirsty.

And the lovely detail at the end of the story… the wine was the best, really good and fine.

Mary knew and was right.

She nudged Jesus forward, like all mums do, from first steps onwards. His first step to his life’s work and fulfilling his purpose. What a gift.

Primroses - St Peter's Church
Primroses