Beginning next Sunday, Christians all over the world enter the most sacred time of the year, Holy Week. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and continues until we arrive at the New Creation of Easter morning! All the fullness of Christian faith is anchored and turns on the events of Holy Week and Easter. We hope that you join in this great pilgrimage through the week and enter into the great mystery of the Passover of Jesus Christ from death to life. Here are the services of Holy Week and Easter that mark our pilgrimage:
Sunday, April 14, Palm Sunday, the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ: Both our 9 a.m. service in Little St. Mary’s and our 11 a.m. service in New St. Mary’s include the Liturgy of the Palms signifying Jesus’ triumphant and last entrance into Jerusalem. The center of this service focuses on a dramatic reading of the Passion Gospel narrative, read in parts describing the concluding days and hours of Jesus life.
Thursday, April 18, Maundy Thursday, 5:30 p.m. in New St. Mary’s: The Maundy Thursday liturgy enacts that Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples and includes a footwashing, Holy Eucharist, and the Stripping of the Altar. Even if you would prefer not to come forward to have your feet washed, we hope that you join with your sisters and brothers to hear Jesus’ final farewell in his commandment to ‘love one another as I have loved you’.
Friday, April 19, Good Friday, 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in New St. Mary’s: In the Good Friday liturgy, the people of God are called to gather together at the foot of the Cross of Jesus.
Saturday, April 20, Holy Saturday/Great Easter Vigil, 7 p.m. in New St. Mary’s: The ancient liturgy of the Church begins outside in the churchyard with the kindling of fire for the first light of Easter. The service continues in New St. Mary’s with the proclamation of God’s Saving Story of love from our first beginnings until today. Then we celebrate the First Eucharist of the Resurrection of Jesus!
Sunday, April 21, Easter Day! ‘Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!’: Two celebratory, festive liturgies of the Feast of the Resurrection of Jesus will be celebrated in New St. Mary’s at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. We celebrate Holy Baptisms at both services to welcome new lambs into the flock of Christ. An Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the parish follows the 11 a.m. in the churchyard!