Easter in Ilkeston
Your guide to whats happening.
Passion and Palm Sunday, Easter Services and Good Friday, its all happening,
Lent, Palm Sunday and Easter
Date: March – April 2026
Time: See churches for more
Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter; it always starts on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter.
What Is Easter?
Easter is the final day of the Holy Week and is a very significant date within Christianity and is the foundation of the Christian faith. Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy and through his death, has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in his death and resurrection. Churches around the world honor this sacred day in various ways, often beginning with Easter Sunday services filled with worship, Scripture readings, and messages of hope. Read the entire biblical account of Resurrection Day in Matthew 28, Mark 16, and Luke 24 and more Easter Bible verses at BibleStudyTools.com.”
Lent
Date: Feb 22nd – April 5th
Time: See churches below for Lent Services
In 2026, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, and ends on Holy Thursday, April 2, with Easter Sunday on April 5
Palm Sunday
Date: March 29th
Time: Around 10:30am – see churches below for times
Marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Churches often hold processions and read the Passion narrative to recall Christ’s suffering and the events leading to His crucifixion.
Easter Sunday
Date: April 5th
Time: Around 10:30am – see churches below for times
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and his victory over death.
EASTER Sunday – Sunrise Service. 6:30pm at Dale Abbey Arch
Good Friday and Walk of Witness)
Date: April 3rd (Good Friday)
Service at Ilkeston Methodist Church 10:45am
Meet – For the Walk of Witness meet at URC Wharncliffe Road at 10am, about 10:15 we will walk to IMC.
Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary. It is a solemn day of fasting, prayer, and reflection on Christ’s sacrifice.
Events and Activities in Ilkeston Churches
LENT
There will be Various services leading up to Holy Week, some will be Lent services and themes. See Calendar or visit each church, or churches below
For Lent Reflection and Services Click the following – LENT @WHMC
LENTEN REFLECTIONS at West Hallam Methodist Church – Led by Rev Tim Simms
Join us for a time of reflection and study.
Wed 25th Feb 7pm – Suffering into Strength Luke 8:40-50
Thurs 5th March 7pm – Sadness into Joy John 11:17-43
Wed 11th March 7pm Wilderness into Hope Matt 4:1-11
Wed 18th March 7pm – Sickness into Health Luke 17:11-18
Thurs 26th March 7pm – Hunger to fulfilment John 6:25-40
2nd April – Maundy Thursday Service of Holy Communion 7pm
3rd April – Good Friday Reflection 7pm
Easter Sunday: Holy Communion, 10.30am at WHMC
Maundy Thursday 2 April, Sung Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7 pm
Good Friday 3 April, Good Friday Liturgy, in afternoon – time to be decided.
Saturday 4 April, Easter Vigil Mass (Joint service at St Laurence’s Long Eaton) 8 pm
Easter Sunday (5th): Sung Mass 11 am
Sunday 10:30am
Lent 2026br>
Pause. Breathe. Make space for God
This year’s Lent and Easter focus on a simple shift: letting go of fear, control, scarcity, or appearances, and embracing spirit, abundance, dignity, and joy.
Weekly themes
22 Feb, Lent 1: Let go of idols, make room for God
1 Mar, Lent 2: Let go of the form, embrace the spirit
8 Mar, Lent 3: Let go of scarcity, embrace abundance
15 March, Lent 4: Let go of appearances, and embrace what’s inside
22 March, Lent 5: Let go of despair, embrace ‘respair’
29 March, Palm Sunday: Let go of violence, embrace gentleness
3 Apr, Good Friday: Let go of certainty, embrace mystery
5 Apr, Easter Sunday: Let go of fear, embrace joy
St Mary’s
8 am: Traditional Communion
10 am: Family Communion
St John’s
10 am: Family Communion
Easter in John’s Gospel
Join us as we contemplate and celebrate this Easter. From Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday you’d be very welcome at any or all of the following services and events.
Sunday 29th March: Palm Sunday
✜ 10:30am Palm Sunday Benefice Service at Stanton-by-Dale
✜ 12:00noon Palm Sunday Benefice Lunch at The Old School, Stanton-by-Dale
Thursday 2nd April: Maundy Thursday
✜ 7:45pm Maundy Thursday Service, The Gateway, Dale Abbey.
Friday 3rd April: Good Friday
✜ 2:00-3:00pm An hour at the Cross, All Saints, Risley
with children’s crafts in Harrison’s Cottage
Sunday 5th April: Easter Sunday
✜ 6:30am Easter Morning Dawn Service, the Arch, Dale Abbey,
followed by refreshments at The Gateway
✜ 9:00am Easter Sunday All Age Celebration with Communion, All Saints Risley
✜ 10:45am Benefice All Age Celebration with Communion, Stanton-by-Dale
followed by an Easter Egg Hunt in the Rectory Field
