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Join with us this Easter

Celebrate Easter with the Salvos 

Discover Jesus’ promise of peace this Easter 

Every year, Christians celebrate Easter to remember Jesus’ sacrificial love for us. Jesus died on the cross and rose back to life so that all people can experience his goodness, love, hope and peace. 

When Jesus lived on Earth, he walked among people experiencing poverty, oppression and disease. He himself experienced rejection, opposition, betrayal, suffering, pain and more.

Our challenges, difficulties and circumstances may look different today, but Jesus understands them. And, in the midst of whatever trials you may be facing, Jesus offers his steady peace, which helps us to keep on believing in good. 

He tells us this in the Bible. Before he left Earth, Jesus said to his followers, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, TLB). Jesus’ gift of peace is available to us today, if we choose to accept it.

This Easter, we invite you to explore Jesus’ promise of peace for your life. Attend a local Salvos Easter gathering, download our free 8-day Bible reading and reflection guide or read stories about real people who have experienced Jesus’ peace for themselves.

When is Easter 2024?

Easter Sunday is celebrated on 31 March 2024. This is traditionally the day when people exchange Easter gifts of chocolate or share in Easter meals with loved ones. However, Easter events begin before Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and lands on 24 March 2024 and Good Friday is on 29 March 2024. Some Christians also practice Lent, which commences Wednesday 14 February.

An Easter message from The Salvation Army Australia's leader 

Watch a message from Commissioner Miriam Gluyas about Jesus’ promise of peace for now and for the future.
Read more from the national leader

Connect with your local Salvos this Easter

Good Friday and Easter Sunday church services are held in communities around Australia. Just as Jesus welcomed people from all walks of life to spend time with him, everyone is welcome to an Easter worship service or activity at their local Salvation Army.

Whether you’re looking to build connections in your community, learn more about Easter or start a spiritual journey, we encourage you to get in touch.

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Learn more about Easter and faith

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Find colouring-in sheets, Easter crafts and other free Easter activities for children.

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Free Easter reflections guide

Free Easter reflections guide

Download our eight-day reading plan to discover more about who Jesus is.

Learn more

Easter celebrations and the Salvos

Christian cross

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

Easter messages and stories

From overwhelming anger to peace through Jesus: Paul’s Easter story

15 February 2024Read more

 

Battle scars can be beautiful: Rene's Easter story

5 February 2024Read more

 

Finding peace and purpose: Brad’s Easter story

1 February 2024Read more

 

Honouring a heritage of holiness and hope: Mia’s Easter story

1 February 2024Read more

 

Child of war finds peace and healing: Lisa's Easter story

19 January 2024Read more

 

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The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders past, present and future.

We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.

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The Salvation Army is an international movement. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name with love and without discrimination.

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