Easter Church Services

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30725, 14 April 1965, Page 18

Easter Church Services

Most churches in Christchurch are preparing for services to mark Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Many will unite with other denominations. “With the new ecumenical spirit, it is the trend for all churches to seek combined services,” said the Rev. W. E. Falkingham, superintendent of the Methodist Central Mission, yesterday. Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Congregational denominations will take part in a service at which the nreacher will be the Rev. W. S Dawson, at Durham Street Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Good Friday. A united witness by Riccarton churches will take the form of a procession from Church corner to Yaldhurst road, along English street and the Main South road, and back

to Church corner. Three ministers and three laymen from Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches will speak at stops along the route. “This is a fairly new effort for Christchurch,” said the Rev. J. F. B. Keith, of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, yesterday, “and although it was quite successful last Easter, we are hoping more people will attend this year.” The procession takes place at 4 p.m. on Good Friday. A complete Samoan language service will be conducted at Trinity Congregational Church by the Rev. Kenape Faletoese on Good Friday at 11 a.m. Three-hour Service

At the Methodist Central Mission on Good Friday there will be a three-hour service from noon, conducted by the Rev. D. W. Edmonds. The theme will be “the healing cross.” During this service there will be opportunities for people to receive the Laying on of Hands. At Christchurch Cathedral, Good Friday services will be held at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. The Ven. R. P. F. Plaistowe will conduct the three-hour service from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Evensong, with selected music by the choir, will be at 7.30 p.m. On Easter Sunday, choral Eucharist will be sung at 11 a.m., and the Bishon of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) will preach. The address at Evensong at 7 p.m. will be given by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. W A. Pyatt). The Solemn Pontifical Mass of Blessing of the Holy Oils will be concelebrated by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (the Most Rev. B. P. Ashby) and four members of his Diocesan Council for the first time at 10 a.m on Thursday at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Low Mass There will be Low Mass at i>.3o p.m., and the Sacramental Re-enactment of the Last Supper will be concelebrated by Bishop Ashby and four priests of the Cathedral staff at 8 p.m. Two services will be held on Good Friday, a service commemorating the Death of Christ at 3 p.m., and the Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. Masses will be celebrated throughout the day on Saturday, and the 11 a.m. Mass will K. on a South H u , E * ster vigil will be held at 11 p.m., and at S^ nl « ht Pontifical High Mass a uu be cele brated by Bishop Ashby, who will also preach