Easter Greetings from the Oxted Churches

To many people Easter is regarded as a time to think about spring lambs, Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs but to Christians Easter Sunday is the most important festival of the church’s year when we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus preceded in some churches by a week beforehand of special services. The Sunday before Easter Sunday is known as Palm Sunday when we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, greeted by an ecstatic crowd who were waving palms. However as the week, known as Holy Week, progressed things changed.  On the Thursday Jesus celebrated a last meal with his friends. Known as the Last Supper this is now celebrated in the services of Holy Communion or The Mass. The day itself is now generally known as Maundy or Holy Thursday and in normal years is marked nationally by a special service attended by the Queen at which she gives out Maundy money of silver coins to deserving elderly – – the number of recipients reflecting her age. The following day, now known as Good Friday,  Jesus was condemned to death and crucified with his body being laid to rest in a tomb.  On the Sunday however early visitors found the tomb empty and spoke to a risen Christ – a cause for celebration and normally some joyful services on Easter Sunday.     

However, as we approach Easter, we are still affected  by restrictions and uncertainties. Nevertheless the Oxted and Tandridge Churches (All Saints, King’s Church, St. Mary’s, St. Peter’s and The United Reformed Church), will celebrate Easter and the events leading up to it and invite you to join them in doing so. 

Some of our Churches are closed just now and even where they are open social distancing rules mean we cannot welcome all who wish to attend our services into our church buildings. Just like the community we are part of, the churches are moving online. Just like every family and household our planning for Easter cannot be finalised as we are not in normal times. Instead of distributing our Easter card listing the times of our services from Palm Sunday onwards we ask you to refer to our church websites to discover what is available. 

The website details are set out below along with details of the Easter Sunday services. Each church will be providing streamed or Zoomed services and links to video recordings of all the special services so that whatever restrictions are in place there will be plenty of opportunities to celebrate Holy Week and the Resurrection of Jesus together. You can keep up to date with what is happening by checking the websites, or call their office 

All Saints Church & St. Ambrose, Warlingham Tel No. 01883 627762                                                   

www.oxtedandwarlinghamparish.org streamed services at 

www.churchservices.tv/oxted  Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil and First Mass  of Easter 8.30pm Easter Sunday — Mass 11.00am                

United Reformed Church, Oxted Tel No. 01883 730406 

www.oxtedurc.org.uk  Easter Sunday 10.00am Family Service of Celebration with Communion

St. Mary’s, Oxted & St. Peter’s, Tandridge Tel No. 01883 714263 

www.stmarysoxted.uk / www.stpeterstandridge.uk 

Easter Day 6.00am – Dawn service (St. M) 8.00am – Holy Communion   (St. M & at St. P) 9.30.am – Family Communion (St. Mary’s) 11.00am – Family Service (St. Peter’s) 4.30am – Café Service Celebration (St. M) 6.30pm – Evensong (St. Peter’s)

King’s Church Tel. No 01883 734805 www.kingschurchforyou.org 

Easter Sunday service 4th April 10.30 -12 noon on YouTube