Holy Week & Easter Worship 2018

Holy Week worship reenacts the last week of Jesus' life and ministry. The meaning and symbolism in the liturgy reflects profoundly on the weekly events, adding to the understanding and mystery of each commemoration. The cross looms over us beginning with Palm Sunday and continues through the dawn of the Day of the Resurrection. As the drama of Jesus' passion enfolds daily, culminating with the crucifixion on Good Friday, the red altar hangings vividly point to the cruelty and punishment Jesus endured. However, the color turns to black signifying Christ's death.

​Palm Sunday (Mmmm, DD, YYYY)
8:30am - Celtic Holy Eucharist
​10:30am - Holy Eucharist

​Our Palm Sunday worship begins with the Blessings of the Palms and the reading of the Palm Gospel. Only at the later worship will we parade around the grounds (weather permitting) waving palm branches and singing, recalling Jesus triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. The Passion Gospel reading will be read in parts by members of the congregation, leading up to the "crucify him" shouts from the crowd. The worship includes music, scripture readings, prayers, a sermon and the celebration of our common meal.

Maundy Thursday (Mmmm, DD, YYYY) 7:30pm - Holy Eucharist

This unique title derives from the Old French mande to the Latin mandatum novum, meaning a new commandment, referring to Jesus speaking of a new commandment in John's gospel immediately before washing the disciples' feet. The liturgy for this evening is complex with three distinct parts: the foot washing, symbolizing the servant ministry of all of us; the commemoration of the institution of the eucharist (The Last Supper), culminating in the ceremonious carrying of the Reserve Sacrament to the Altar of Repose; and The Stripping of Altar, symbolizing the stripping of Jesus, which leaves the altar stark and bare for Good Friday. Our worship ends and the watch of Gethsemane at the Altar of Repose begins.

Good Friday (Mmmm, DD, YYYY)
Noon - Good Friday Liturgy
6:30pm - Stations of the Cross 

​This solemn liturgy includes the singing of John's Passion Gospel in parts by soloist and the choir, sermon, the procession of a wooden cross, praying the solemn collects, and communion from reserve sacrament. All reserved bread and wine are consumed after our worship, signifying the death of Christ. The Stations of the Cross devotion, originating in medieval times and popularized by the Franciscan monks, marks the places and times of Christ's walk through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha (the place of the skull) and his execution. Holy Week worship enriches our spiritual practices when we place ourselves in the drama of these liturgies. Each liturgy builds upon the last, until finally we confront the tomb and the resurrection of Christ. I encourage you to worship as often as possible during Holy Week in community with others as we prepare once again to celebrate the joy of Easter.

Easter Worship

The Great Easter Vigil (Mmmm, DD, YYYY)
​The First Celebration of Easter 7:30pm

​The celebration of Easter begins this liturgy which starts in the dark with the lighting of the new fire and the procession of the Paschal Candle. For the next fifty days, this candle will stand in front the sanctuary signifying the "the light of Christ" and the resurrection. These same words are repeated three times by the cantor as our deacon holds the Paschal Candle high walking slowly down the center aisle as worshipers light their individual candles from the Paschal Candle. The term Paschal means the Christian Passover, signifying Christ's Passover from death to life. This is the same candle that is present near the body or cremains during a funeral or memorial service.

The first half of the liturgy is devoted to listening to foundational scripture readings of God's mighty acts of salvation interspersed with music. The sanctuary remains in dark this entire time. After the reading, arising from the congregation a great noise builds to a crescendo, ending with the ringing of bells and the proclamation "Alleluia! Christ has risen" followed by a glorious Easter hymn. With this Easter announcement, the altar candles are lighted. The celebration of the joy of Easter continues with Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. 

The Great Easter Vigil is one of the oldest liturgical observances for which we have records, dating back to the 2nd century. This liturgy begins solemnly in darkness and ends joyfully in the Easter light. This worship is perhaps one of the most diverse, beautiful and gloriousthe most diverse, beautiful and glorious celebrations we observe.

​The Day of the Resurrection (Mmmm, DD, YYYY) 
Festival Holy Eucharist 10:30am 
one service only on Easter Sunday ​

​Easter is called the Queen of Feasts. We celebrate this glorious season for fifty days, the longest length of time of all Christian seasons. On this particular Sunday morning, the fragrance of flowers and the sounds of angelic voices, brass instruments and pipe organ fill the air. The excitement of the resurrection of Christ is proclaimed in the sacrament of the word and the sacrament of God's holy meal. We celebrate the resurrection of Christ every Sunday but this Sunday is truly spectacular!

I hope these words provide some insight into the whys and wherefores of our worship. They are offered as an invitation for your presence.

​Linda+