Easter Sunday services
On Easter Sunday April 5th 2026, the stained glass reflection is on the East side window in the All Souls Chapel – The risen Jesus greets a weeping Mary Magdalene. This window depicts Easter Sunday morning: the Risen Jesus greets a weeping Mary Magdalene. Designed by J.W. Bonnor, (as were the side windows – see Holy Monday), it reveals the moment of recognition in the garden when Mary, realising it is Jesus, calls out ‘Rabboni’. The word is inscribed above her head. And we see how Jesus simply responds: ‘Mary.’
– At 5.30am at St Michael & All Angels there is the Dawn Vigil and First Mass of Easter (above)
Preacher: The Vicar.
Liturgy of the Word – Readings: Genesis 1.1-2.4a (Creation); Exodus 14. 10-31, 15. 20-21 (Crossing the Red Sea); Isaiah 55. 1-11 (God’s offer of mercy); Ezechiel 36. 24-28 (God promises his spirit);
Hymns (in service sheet):The day of Resurrection; Lord enthrones in Heavenly splendour; Love’s redeeming work is done;
Setting: Spatzenmesse – Mozart
“The best service in the world!” according to Fr Kevin Morris – followed by Easter Breakfast.
A cooked breakfast with tea/coffee and Bucks Fizz will be served in the Michael Room after the Easter Vigil service. All welcome.
Suggested donation is £10 paid on the morning (cash only, no card payments).
– At 10am it’s the Parish Eucharist of Easter (a service for all the family).
Preacher:
Hymns (in booklet): Alleluya! Alleluya! Hearts to Heaven; Glory to God, we give you thanks and praise; Christ triumphant; Thine be the glory.
Readings: Acts 10. 34, 37-43; John 20. 1-9.
Setting: Spatzenmesse – Mozart
Read more about the services in What happens on Easter Sunday by Cathie James, below.
At St Michael’s, Easter Day starts with the Vigil commencing before dawn.
The Vigil is a service of four parts:
- The service of light
- The liturgy of the word
- The liturgy of baptism and
- The liturgy of the Eucharist
The liturgical colour is white and full lace is worn in celebration of this joyous day.
The service begins in the dark on the grassy area outside the church where a bonfire has been lit (above). The sanctuary party process to the fire. One of the clergy carries the new Easter (Paschal) candle, a symbol of the Risen Christ in the world. The priest traces a cross on the candle, the Greek letters alpha and omega and the year – Christ is the beginning and the end, the Lord of all time and our time. Five incense grains are inserted as a symbol of the five wounds of Christ. The candle is then lit with fire from the brazier and processed into the church with the people following, lights for their candles being passed back from the Easter candle. It is placed in its stand on the altar platform and the Easter proclamation (Exsultet) is then sung.
There then follows the Liturgy of the Word – we hear the readings by candlelight, a symbol that we understand the meaning of the Scriptures through the light of the resurrection of Jesus, as the dawn is just beginning to break through the east window
The High Altar candles are then lit in silence – a moment of expectation and anticipation – following which the priest intones ‘Glory be to God on High’ and suddenly the church is flooded with light, bells are rung, the organ swells and the ‘Gloria’ bursts forth in joyful thanksgiving. This is an unforgettable moment as our senses engage with the abrupt transition from darkness into light.
It marks the beginning of the First Mass of Easter during which we are asked to renew our baptismal vows. In the early centuries baptism and Easter were closely linked and it was the only season when Baptism was regularly administered. The new converts entered sacramentally into Christ’s redeeming death and resurrection.
In our service, after processing to the font at which the baptismal water is blessed and the Paschal candle immersed, the congregation repeat their baptismal vows and, whilst the choir sing the traditional Latin plainsong Vidi Aquam- ‘I saw water’, the people are then sprinkled with the water of baptism.
The Choral Eucharist is celebrated at the High Altar, the reserve sacrament is returned to the tabernacle and the votive lights on the High Altar are rekindled. Christ is back amongst us.
Finally we process out to a grand organ voluntary ready for the communal Parish breakfast which awaits us.
Those who participate in this Vigil may receive Communion again at the second Mass of Easter Day which starts at 10am and is a more family orientated but equally joyful celebration of the Eucharist culminating in the distribution of Easter eggs and an egg rolling contest, commemorating the rolling of the stone away from the tomb that tests the fielding skills of the clergy, choir, and servers !
