This past Sunday we began Holy Week with the Procession of the Palms and the reading of the Passion (suffering) of Christ. This marks the entrance into Christianity’s most sacred week.
We believe that Holy Week celebrations began early in Jerusalem, and by the 4th century were an annual commemoration of His Death and Resurrection.
Holy Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
We recall the work of betrayal. Judas goes to the authorities and asks what they will give him to betray Jesus. The trap is set.
Maundy Thursday – 7:00 p.m.
We remember the Last Supper and the institution of the Holy Eucharist, how Jesus washes the disciple’s feet, and how he goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It is here that Peter, James, and John fall asleep while Jesus prays, and he asks them, could they not watch with him for one hour. Judas joins him in the garden and, with a kiss, the betrayal is complete. The Sanctuary is emptied of all its beauty and lies bare before us.
Maundy Thursday Watch – 9:00 p.m. Thursday to 3:00 p.m. Friday
In response to Jesus’s question, “Could you not watch with me for one hour?” we place the Sacrament of Bread and Wine at the Altar of Repose (in the Parlor). Members come to pray, read, and meditate on the sacrifice of Christ – responding to the question with, “Yes, I will watch with you for one hour.”
Good Friday – 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Jesus hangs on the cross from noon until 3:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. on Friday, He dies.
The Good Friday service recalls the fear of the disciples, the agony of Christ, and his burial in the tomb. With devotions to the Cross we recall his sacrifice for each of us, remembering the high cost of God’s love.
Holy Saturday 10:30 a.m.
On the Sabbath (Saturday) Jesus’s body lies in the tomb. The Apostles and disciples are hiding in grief and fear. In this very short service we recall the temporary resting place for his body and our darkness as we await the Easter word. We also bless the ministry of the Altar Guild and the Flower Guild.
Easter – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sunday
The great Feast of the Resurrection begins Saturday night with the most ancient of services. We light the Easter fire for the Paschal Candle and grow from darkness to the light of the Easter Acclamation.
Sunday we continue to celebrate the Risen Lord, remembering that after this Easter Sunday, every Sunday becomes a little Easter.
I pray you all can attend as much of Holy Week as you can. It will make Easter more joyous and meaningful.
Easter lasts for 50 days!
