Ash Wednesday – “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” is said as the sign of the cross is made on the forehead of those receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday. Not the usual approach to recovering a sense of wholeness in our time. But it is an act that connects us profoundly to those stubborn folks in the Old Testament who occasionally accepted their responsibility for the way things were going and asked God’s forgiveness.

The liturgy for the Eucharist on Ash Wednesday is pretty up front about our responsibility and our longing to be forgiven. It is a powerful service, and we invite you join with us on this first step of the Lenten journey from ashes to Easter.

Schedule: 7:00 am; 12:15 pm; 7:00 pm (with choir and hymns).

Psalm Sunday - The liturgy for Palm Sunday carries us into Holy Week. Services begin with the reenactment of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. But the mood shifts with the reading of the passion, and we begin the journey through the events that culminate in Jesus’ crucifixion and death. At all four services in the church nave, the gospel is the story of the passion, read dramatically in the style of readers’ theater.

The service begins in the Commons with the Liturgy of the Palms followed by a joyful procession into the sanctuary. After the reading of the passion, we do not hear music from the organ again until the Easter Vigil; singing by choirs and congregation is unaccompanied.

Maundy Thursday Rite - The liturgy for Maundy Thursday is rich and powerful. Coming from the Latin “mandate,” which means to command, maundy refers to the commandment Jesus gave his disciples to love each other. At this service, we enact that commandment in the foot (or hand) washing. After the sermon, the rector invites all to come forward to have their feet washed by one of the priests of the parish. Those who come forward then dry the hands or feet of those who come after them, transforming this symbol of service into a sacramental action shared by all.

The service continues with the celebration of the Eucharist and the reservation of the sacrament for Good Friday.

Suitable for children in third grade and older, the service concludes with the stripping and cleansing of the altar in preparation for Good Friday. The Maundy Thursday Watch begins immediately after.

Prayer Vigil - All who wish are welcome to join this all night watch in the chapel beginning with the end of the Maundy Thursday Rite. Come and go at any hour through the night until 12:00 pm Friday, when we begin the Good Friday liturgy. To show that each hour is covered, please sign up on the schedule posted in the Parish Hall (it’s also fine to just show up).

Good Friday - We mark the hours of the crucifixion with the Good Friday Liturgy, which is made up of readings, hymns, prayers and anthems interspersed with silence. A dramatic reading of St. John’s Passion is read as part of the service, and there is one sermon. The service concludes with communion, using bread and wine consecrated at the Maundy Thursday Rite. The church remains open and silent after the service. At 3 pm, the bell tolls, marking the traditional hour of Jesus’ death.

Great Vigil of Easter - We are gathered for the wake of a loved one, or so it seems. Dramatic stories of salvation from the Bible are told including creation and the flood. We kindle the new fire of Easter and light the Paschal candle and process it to the church where we hear the chanted words of the Exultet with its announcement that God is at work in this mysterious night. The service continues with the sermon and baptism. After the baptisms we hear the announcement that “Christ is Risen!” The lights are turned on to reveal the beauty of Easter adornment. We move quickly to the first Eucharist of Easter and a festive reception in the Common. The fast is over and the feast begins. A reception follows the service.

Easter Sunday - Holy Week concludes with the greatest feast of the Christian year, the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. We mark the occasion with unbridled festivity, pulling out all the stops in our liturgy and music. At 8 and 10 am music is led by the Choir accompanied by brass quartet. Nursery care is available for children 4 and younger during the 10 o’clock service.