Dear St. Patrick's,

Grace and peace! On Sunday, we begin the most sacred time of Lent, what is often called Holy Week. During this week, we will begin walking in the steps of Jesus' last days. There is a spiritual reason to do this. It is, as Brian McLaren states in his book Finding Our Way Again, a way to engage in intentional spiritual exercise or what is called a pilgrimage with a goal of stretching out the atrophy that sets in when we get too comfortable.[1] I encourage you to immerse yourself in this week and discover new ways to transform the inner core of your being.

Please take advantage of the following services and activities at St. Patrick's:

Palm Sunday - Marks the beginning of Holy Week by remembering Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which instigated the plot that would result in his crucifixion. We are doing something different for Palm Sunday this year. All three of our services (8am, 10am, 5pm) will begin outside where we will bless the palm branches and hear the reading of scripture before following the steps of Jesus into the building. At the 10am service, Andrea will preach a children's sermon around the theme of the palms. Unlike the past, we will not be gathered around tables, but in our regular seating arrangement.

Maundy Thursday - Marks the last evening of Jesus' life when he shared a last supper with his disciples beginning the spiritual discipline of communion. He washed his disciples feet at this supper as a sign of his role as a servant. The service at St. Patrick's will be at 7:30pm in the Nave and will include footwashing, the final communion before Easter, and the ceremonial stripping of the altar to mark the solemnity of the Jesus' imprisonment, trial, and crucifixion.

Good Friday - Marks the day of Jesus' death on the cross. It is the most solemn day of the Church calendar which is marked by fasting and prayer. We have several activities at St. Patrick's. Andrea will be leading a children and parent workshop from 9:30-11:30am (see a fuller description below). At noon, we will have a liturgy of the day at the time of Jesus being raised up on the cross. At 7pm, I will present a seminar describing the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem followed by walking them around our campus with readings and musical offerings beginning at 7:30pm.

The Great Vigil of Easter - Celebrates Jesus' resurrection in light of the long history of God's salvation. We are doing this differently this year. We will begin at 5pm in the Courtyard for the lighting of the Easter fire and then process into the Church Library. We will hear the reading of scripture followed by a discussion style sermon. In addition, Hallie Grace Barton (daughter of Sonja Sener and Sean Barton, granddaughter of Paulett Sener) will be baptized. The goal is to be family friendly. This is the first Easter service and includes communion. It lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Easter - Like the Great Vigil, celebrates Jesus' resurrection. We have Easter Day services at 8am, 10am, and 5pm. The 8am services will be a said service, but will be held in the Church Library rather than All Saints' Chapel to accommodate more people. The 10am service will be in the Nave with the Cantoris and Nova Lux Choirs with a concurrent Children's Chapel downstairs. The 5pm casual Seek service will be will include a discussion sermon.

I hope that you will join with your St. Patrick's family for the Holy Week and Easter and invite your friends to walk the path with you.

In addition to all of the things going on during Holy Week, the new ambo (pulpit) is here. Come see the last piece of the furniture renovation started almost a year ago.

Faithfully,

P.S. Click here to read last Sunday's sermon titled Broken and Glorified.  

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[1] Brian McLaren, Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008), 24.

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Save the Date

Good Friday Kids:

An Interactive Workshop for Children & Parents  

Good Friday, April 6th

Needed for this Sunday, April 1st (no Fooling): Gladiator Costume Pieces -Roman helmets, sandals, shields, breastplates, etc.

I hope to incorporate some of these costume pieces into Sunday's interactive homily. If your family has a Gladiator costume left-over from Halloween that I might borrow this Sunday, please email me, andrea@stpatrickshchurchdc.org

Thanks!

Andrea Martin+

Please consider donating to the flower fund for our festive Easter flower display on the altar by sending a check made out to St. Patrick's with "flowers" in the memo line or by donating online at our website. The suggested donation for Easter flowers is $25, but please be as generous as you are able as we fund the altar flowers solely through donations. Please email Karen with the names of those you are honoring by Thursday, April 5^th.

If you would like to dedicate flowers on any other Sunday throughout the year, please donate $75. Please send Karen the names of those you are honoring and the Sunday date you would like the dedication to appear in the bulletin.

Coming up...our Mother's Day GALA Concert!  This year it will be a "Community Sing" led by the Cantoris and Jubilate Deo choirs.  So....

Your favorite Broadway show

Your favorite Classical gem

Your College song (Alma Mater, School Song, Fight Song...)  Maybe a spirited school song rivalry?!?

Your favorite High School song from the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's or the 2000's!

Folk music favorites from around the world

Rounds and Silly songs

Your child's favorite tunes

Send us your ideas and plan to invite some friends and family for an afternoon treat on Mother's Day, May 13 at 5pm! 

Quick Links...

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