Father Tom's Message with Holy Week Schedule
On Palm Sunday (April 13) our service begins at
9:30 a.m. with the Liturgy of the Palms, that
portion of our worship where we bless the palm
branches which, weather permitting, we will carry
in procession as we move outside and around the
church, entering through the main doors and
continuing our worship with the reading of the
Passion of St. Luke, which recounts those days
and nights of our Lord’s suffering and sacrifice as
they are recounted in Luke’s Gospel.
Each day at noon that week following, from
Monday through Thursday, we will follow the
Stations of the Cross. This truly meaningful
and moving observance we have offered weekly,
on Wednesdays at noon, since the beginning of
Lent. This prayerful time of quiet devotion allows
us to reflect and meditate on those events our
Lord endured as he followed the Way of the Cross
through Jerusalem, to Calvary and the tomb.
On Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., we will once
again offer the Service of Tenebrae. From the
Latin for “darkness,” this ancient service makes
use of gradually diminishing light through the
extinguishing of candles which symbolize the
events of Holy Week, from the triumphant Palm
Sunday entry to Jerusalem through Jesus’ burial.
The increasing darkness symbolizes the
approaching darkness of Jesus’ death and the
hopelessness of a world without God. Worshipers
depart in silence to ponder the impact of Christ’s
death and to await the coming Resurrection.
Our Maundy Thursday Service begins at 6
p.m. with a Eucharist recalling the Institution of
the Lord’s Supper. The service will include the
Washing of Feet and concludes with the solemn
Stripping of the Altar.
At noon on Friday, GOOD FRIDAY, we
observe the Good Friday Liturgy with the
reading of the Passion according to St. John.
The church will be open from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
for the Veneration of the Cross.
Lord Christ, you have reminded us that a grain of
wheat remains a single grain unless it falls into the
ground and dies, but that if it dies it bears a rich
harvest. Grant that we, like the grain of wheat,
may die so to self, so that we may live for others
and follow you in the path of sacrifice and service,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Lord God in majesty, true King of heaven and
earth, it is in men’s hearts that you wish to reign.
Help us to give ourselves without reserve to the
one who entered Jerusalem on a donkey and
received a crown of thorns; for he is now seated
with you in glory, to reign with you to the end of
time. Amen.
Father in heaven, as your people prepare once
more to follow the events of Good Friday and
Easter, may we be led by your Spirit to deeper
insights into your love and saving grace; that we
may love you more and serve you better, for the
sake of him who died for us and rose again, our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
At 9:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday we will celebrate
a Festival Eucharist, signaled by the celebratory
pronouncement, “Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The
Lord is Risen indeed, Alleluia!”
It promises to be a very full and, I hope, very
meaningful time for all of us. Again, please
remember to mark your calendars.
Sylvia joins with me in wishing you all a very
Blessed Holy Week and a Joyous Easter!
It promises to be a very full and, I hope, very
meaningful time for all of us. Again, please
remember to mark your calendars.
Sylvia joins with me in wishing you all a very
Blessed Holy Week and a Joyous Easter!
Some prayers appropriate for Palm Sunday, Holy
Week, and Eastertide:
Lord Jesus Christ, betrayed for thirty pieces of
silver, deserted by your disciples, denied by Peter,
mocked by Herod, scourged by Pilate, crowned
with thorns, and nailed to the cross: humbly and
with all our heart we thank you for your suffering
and death, by which we have been forgiven and
redeemed. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, who in the week of your
passion cleansed the temple in Jerusalem: purify
our hearts from all defilement, our worship from
all insincerity, and our lives from all selfishness;
that we may become a holy temple in the Lord, a
dwelling place for God in the Spirit. Amen.
Son of Man, who on the night before your
passion took towel and water and washed the feet
of your disciples: give us understanding of what
you have done, and teach us to follow the example
of your humility, that by love we may serve one
another for love of you, our Savior and our Lord.
Amen.
Lord Christ, as we draw near to you under the
shadow of the cross, give us a new understanding of
your sorrow over us, true repentance for our sins for
which you suffered, and an ever deeper gratitude
for your redeeming love for us and for all mankind.
Amen.
Almighty God, at this Eastertide we ask you to
increase our faith, our hope, and our love. Give us
the faith that overcomes the world and enables us
to face both life and death with calmness and
without fear. Give us the hope that looks beyond
this mortal life and grasps hold of the things unseen
and eternal. Give us the love that binds us more
closely to one another, and to you our risen Lord;
to whom be all glory and praise, dominion and
power, now and forever. Amen.
Be well,
Be safe,
Be thankful,
for we have been richly blessed.
Father Tom+
