Schedule of Services and Events

Holy Week Service Descriptions

Stations of the Cross & Compline, Wednesday at 7 pm

Stations of the Cross were first erected in Franciscan churches around the beginning of the 16th century, and were meant to replicate the holy shrines commemorating Jesus’ final journey through Jerusalem. There are 14 stations, and in most churches, they are on the walls and worshippers travel from station to station, praying at each one. This year, we have incorporated a beautiful new set of images into our worship bulletin, which will allow us to remain seated during the service as we contemplate the words and pictures together. A lesson, prayers, and a short chant accompany each station. The service begins with tenor section leader Jake Michael chanting the “Stabat Mater,” a 13th century hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Sorrows. There’s no sermon or Communion at this liturgy. At the conclusion of the Stations, we will move directly into the Compline service. The entire service lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Maundy Thursday, 7 pm

The Maundy Thursday service commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. The name Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, which means commandment; the Gospel lesson for the liturgy includes the story of the foot-washing, and Jesus’ saying “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34). Participation in the foot-washing is optional, and many people don’t choose to participate. For those who do, there will be two foot-washing stations, one at which the clergy will be washing feet, and the other at which you are given the opportunity to have your feet washed by a fellow parishioner, and to wash the feet of another parishioner. After Communion, the liturgy concludes with one of the most moving moments in the Church’s worship, the stripping of the altar. We’ll remove everything from the area behind the altar rail, extinguish all the lights, and in the darkness, we’ll listen to Jake Michael, our tenor section leader, chant Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” before we leave in silence. The service lasts approximately 75 minutes.

Good Friday, noon & 7 pm

We offer the Good Friday liturgy twice, at noon and at 7 pm, with the choir singing at the evening service. The Good Friday liturgy, commemorating Jesus’ death on the Cross, is somber and reflective, and includes hymns (such as “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”) and a sermon, but no Eucharist. Good Friday is the one day in the Church’s calendar on which the Eucharist may not be celebrated (unless it is part of giving someone Last Rites), which reminds us that the sacrifice of the Eucharist and the sacrifice on the Cross are the same. Good Friday is a “day of obligation,” meaning you should attend church if you are able to do so, or should watch the broadcast. Good Friday is one of the official fast days of the Church, but for Christians, “fasting” does not necessarily mean abstaining from all food and drink. You can fast by eating only one small meal, or by abstaining from eating during daylight hours, or in another way that is possible for you. The services each last approximately 60 minutes.

Easter Vigil, Saturday at 8 pm

The Easter Vigil begins in the courtyard in front of the church after sunset, at which time we will light the “first fire” of Easter, and then process into the church carrying the newly lit Paschal candle while the Exsultet, a hymn that dates from around the 5th century, is chanted. The service continues by candlelight in the darkness with a series of lessons from Scripture recounting “God’s saving deeds in history, how he saved his people in ages past.” Then all the lights are turned on and the first “alleluias” since Lent began are spoken in the church. The liturgy continues with the first Holy Eucharist of Easter. Attending the Easter Vigil does fulfill your Easter/Sunday attendance obligation. For those of you wishing to avoid the crowds on Easter morning, the Easter Vigil would be a great choice for you. You are welcome, if you have children, to attend the Easter Vigil and then return on Easter morning for the Easter Egg hunt only. The service lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Easter Sunday Morning Services, 7:30 am, 9 am, 11:15 am

The service schedule for Easter morning is our usual Sunday schedule, and we will have Children’s Chapel at the 9 am and 11:15 am as usual, but no Sunday School. If you’re looking for an Easter morning service that is less crowded, consider the 7:30 am service. The 9 am service usually has the highest attendance, though the 11:15 am isn’t far behind. Another option if you’re looking for a much smaller crowd and a quieter service is the 7 pm (see below). The morning services last approximately 60 to 75 minutes.

Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday at 10:30 am

Gather in the Parish Hall at 10:30 am for the start of our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Bring your own basket, but if you forget, we will have some extra bags available. We will gather the little ones (3 and under) and then take them to the courtyard outside the Children’s Chapel for their own special, gentler Easter Egg Hunt.

Easter Sunday Contemplative Service, 7 pm

The 7 pm service is a quiet service that includes a celebration of the Eucharist, but with more time for reflection and prayer, including eight minutes of silent meditation instead of a sermon. Worshippers have the opportunity to light candles as symbols of their prayers. On Easter, this service will also have a different Gospel lesson from the morning services, which includes the story of the Road to Emmaus. The service typically draws 10-15 people, making it an excellent option for people who wish to avoid crowds. This service lasts approximately 40 minutes.