Holy Week & Easter – 2026

Dear Friends,

An earlier than usual letter because there is so much happening this Holy Week.

The significance of Easter Morning is only because of the Holy Week which had gone before.  Saying,‘Jesus is alive and has been seen by some of his disciples,’ is only momentous and cause for the greatest celebration if we know that on Good Friday he was crucified. Otherwise, Jesus being alive on Sunday morning is no different to the thousands of previous Sunday mornings when he was alive. 2,000 years ago, many questioned the reality of Jesus’s death, just as some do now.

Jesus was born in a tiny village with few witnesses, but he was killed by Roman experts in a massive city witnessed by thousands including the Governor, King and religious leaders.

Easter morning and Jesus’s resurrection does not just defeat death.  Despite the horrendous pain, coming back to life was for God the easy part.  Jesus’s true purpose was to reunite us with God; to restore the relationship with God for which we were created. The hopes and fears of all the years were carried by Jesus onto the cross. The sin, guilt, shame and also false dreams were also defeated.  To be defeated through death, burial and resurrection these have to be acknowledged by us, given to Jesus.

The first Holy Week had great highs – party with Mary, Marth and Lazarus, triumphal donkey ride through cheering crowds, throwing the money changers out of the temple and the special dinner with his disciples.  Each of these exposed hopes and fears to be added to Jesus before the lows – betrayal, trials, torture, humiliation, crucifixion. Holy Week is our time to load everything onto Jesus as he goes to the cross.  

Our Church Services are:

Wednesday 1 April 8:30am – Morning Prayer (and Bible discussion)

Thursday 2 April 5:30pm – Maundy Thursday (foot washing and Holy Communion)

Friday 3 April 8:30am – Good Friday Ante-Communion

Sunday 5 April 6:30am – New Fire Service (followed by breakfast)

           8:30am – Easter Holy Communion

Grace and peace and hope and life,

ROB

Hymns and Readings Holy Week & Easter 2026

                               Maundy Thursday       5:30pm                2 Apr 26

OT    

Exodus 12 1-14

Psalm 

116:1-2, 11-18

NT    

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gospel 

John 13:1-17,31b-35

Hymns

Gospel 

699  A new Commandment

Offertory

511   Let us break bread together.

Good Friday            8:30am                3 Apr 26  

OT    

Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

Psalm 

22

NT    

Hebrews 10:16-25

Gospel 

John 18:1-19:42

Hymns

Procession

242    I danced in the morning when the world was begun (Lord of the dance)

Gospel 

345    Were you there when they crucified my Lord? – (omit verse 6)

Offertory

342    When I survey the wondrous cross

Recession

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (Words attached)

Easter Sunday         8:30am                5 Apr 26

OT     

Acts 10:34-43     

Psalm          Hymn of the Risen Christ  (Page 32)                                    

NT           Colossians 3:1-4  

Gospel         Matthew 28:1-10

Hymns

Procession   268  Joy to the world

Gospel         378  The head that once was crowned with thorns

Offertory     390  Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Recession    380   Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son

Prayers for the people and issues within our Parish Family and Community.

For all we know and love, in times of sickness or surgery and for all who care for them.

Andrew, Geoff, Paul, Laurie, Andrew.

For all from our church and families who are travelling, these holidays.

For our families.

For all affected, directly or indirectly, by the warfighting in the Middle East; in the darkness, uncertainty and fear may we both find and shine God’s true light and life and hope and peace.

Please speak to (or email) Reverend Rob or Reverend Angela if you would like someone’s name added to or removed from the prayer list.

NOTICES

Holy Week and Easter Services

Wednesday 1 April at 8:30am – Morning Prayer and Bible Discussion

Maundy Thursday 2 April at 5:30pm – Holy Communion and Foot Washing

Good Friday 3 April at 8:30am – Ante-Communion

Easter Day – Sunday 5 April

6:30am – New Fire Service (and breakfast)

8:30am – Easter Holy Communion 

Coming Events

Wednesday 8 Apr – No Morning Prayer This Week 

Sunday 12 Apr – 8:30am – Holy Communion + Children’s program 

(followed by Morning Tea) 

Wednesday 15 Apr – 8:30am – Morning Prayer + Bible Discussion

Low Gluten or Gluten Free wafers – We have ‘low gluten’ wafers available every Sunday and are happy to ‘consecrate’ and give them to you but we need to know who would like them.  We also have ‘gluten free’ wafers.  Asking before the Service is helpful but you can also ask during the distribution of the bread and wine. 

Careforce, Inala Pantry – Food items for Inala Pantry can be left in the designated area in the church for delivery to Inala.  The volunteers from St Hugh’s Anglican Church at Inala indicated they are supporting twice as many people each week compared to last year.

CHURCH CONTACTS

Our Church Email moggillmtcrosby@anglicanchurchsq.org.au Follow Anglican News on our Website:  www.mmcanglican.org.au

Clergy: 

The Reverend Rob Sutherland, CSC - Priest-in-Charge (part-time)

Mobile 0406 767 757 – Email Rob.Sutherland@anglicanchurchsq.org.au

The Reverend Angela McNeill (Honorary Assistant Priest) Mobile 0439 877 057 - Email ajmcneil@bigpond.net.au

Church Wardens:

Bronwen Thomas  Mobile 0448 120 218 - Email bronwen.thomas@sap.com

Helen Donovan Mobile  0417 789 433 - Email alheld@bigpond.net.au

Richard Ponsonby Mobile  0448 899 801 rbponsonby@gmail.com 

Parish Council Secretary: Rob Law Mobile  0403 842 329 – Email roblaw1512@gmail.com

Treasurer and Hall Hire contact: Richard Ponsonby Mobile  0448 899 801 - Email  moggillmtcrosby.treasurer@anglicanchurchsq.org.au

Children’s Ministry Coordinator:  Helen Donovan Mobile  0417 789 433  Maintenance Coordinator:  Anne Greenwood  Mobile  0438 201 900

Email  annejeanette1949@outlook.com                                   

How deep the Father's love for us

How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He would give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no powr, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Stuart Townend