The week we have been waiting for is finally here, and we begin our preparations for the Three Great Days of Holy Week leading to Easter. Here is what you need to know as we head into this great season:
MAUNDY THURSDAY
There will be three parts to the evening:
First: we will gather at 6:00 pm in the ‘Upper Room’ (the Fellowship Hall) to ‘remember’ and re-live those symbolic and intimate events of the last night of Jesus’ life. We will eat together (a ‘symbolic’ seder) and then experience the ‘Washing of our Feet’.
Second, we will then process into the sanctuary and celebrate the Institution of the Lord’s Supper and end the service by ‘Stripping the Chancel’ (our symbolic going to ‘Gethsemene’).
Third, the church will then be open through the night for a Prayer Vigil (beginning after the ‘Stripping’ and ending at 8:00 am on Good Friday). Feel free to stay after the service for as long as you like, or to return during the night or in the early morning “to watch and pray” with Jesus and the disciples.
(Please note that Knox will be holding a service this night as well. Please leave the street parking closest to the building on 37th St. as well as the parking slots closet to the church in the grass area for Knox’s parishioners).
GOOD FRIDAY
We gather at 6:00 pm on Friday for our Good Friday liturgy. We will hear John’s Passion read and listen to reflections on the ‘Seven Last Words from the Cross’, ending the service with the Solemn Collects.
HOLY SATURDAY
This typically is a day of quiet and preparation. We will not have a service this day but will gather at 10:00 am to re-set the sanctuary for worship on Easter Day. If you would like to assist in this ‘re-setting’ just show up at 10 and lend a hand.
EASTER DAY