Join with us this Easter

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, which is a lead up to Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday is a day when the crowd recognised Jesus had come as their King and Saviour. They waved palm branches in praise and excitement – much like the way we might wave flags today when royalty passes by.

After Palm Sunday, Christians recognise some of the other events that occurred before Jesus was placed on trial and put to death on a cross. These include the Last Supper, Jesus washing his disciples’ feet and Jesus’ betrayal.
Read about the events of Holy Week

Good Friday refers to the day on which Jesus, the Son of God, died on a cross. Good Friday is significant because it was the first step in reconciling the world and humanity to its creator – God, having been separated from him through their sinful nature.

Jesus’ death was a sacrifice for everyone who would ever live so that they can have a close relationship with God. It’s an overwhelmingly great act of love!

After Jesus died, his body was placed in a tomb, but he didn’t stay there. He rose back to life – which is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday.
Read more about Good Friday

Lent is a time of preparation and reflection in the lead up to Easter: Jesus’ death on the cross on what is referred to as Good Friday, and then him coming back to life on what is called Easter Sunday.

Lent starts six-and-a-half weeks before Easter, on a day called Ash Wednesday.

Some Christians recognise Lent through fasting, which means going without food for set periods of time. Others may choose to abstain or avoid certain foods or behaviours, for example not eating red meat, drinking coffee or watching television. The idea of fasting or abstaining is to use a physical behaviour to centre a person's thoughts on God – when someone might normally engage in that behaviour such as a meal, they instead devote that time to prayer and focusing on God.

Lent is a practice people may choose to engage in so that they can more deeply connect with the message of Easter, which is Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Easter is a very significant event on the Christian calendar, so, as a Christian church, The Salvation Army will host faith gatherings across the weekend. Each gathering will be different, as it responds to the needs of the community in which it is based.

On Good Friday – to reflect on the death of Jesus – some Salvos will host contemplative church services, decorate their halls with candles and crosses for quiet prayer services, host hot cross bun morning teas or march through the street with a cross.

On Easter Sunday – to celebrate Jesus coming back to life – churches will host upbeat, celebratory services, dawn services in outdoor settings, or Easter egg hunts.

In some locations, there may be meals or other events on the Thursday before Good Friday – called Maundy Thursday, events on Easter Saturday and Easter bonnet or hat parades across the week.

Use our search tool to discover what your local Salvos are doing to commemorate and celebrate Easter this year.
Find your local Salvos event

Absolutely! The Salvation Army welcomes people from all backgrounds to come and celebrate Easter with us. Whether you grew up in a religious or Christian environment, or have never heard of Jesus, your local Salvos would love to see you at Easter or throughout the year.

Our local Salvation Army locations also host various informal gatherings such as playgroups, women’s outings, seniors’ groups, small group spiritual chats and more, if you’re looking for a place to connect with your community.
Find your local Salvos