All About Holy Week and Easter |
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An exciting update from our rector, Rev. Duane Nettles, about plans for Holy Week and Easter at Grace & Holy Trinity!
Yes, we are going to gather outside for Easter Day…Thanks Be to God! Let’s pray for good weather. Here’s everything you need to know about Holy Week and Easter:
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Palm Sunday, 3/28 – live at 10:00 a.m. on YouTube and Facebook
Palm Sunday will feature the service live from inside our beautiful church. You’ll see and hear a quartet from our choir, Dr. Beth Davis on the organ, and Rev. Kim and Rev. Duane. Be sure to tune into our YouTube channel by 9:55 a.m. to hear the prelude music. Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. and you’ll be able to pick up the blessed palms from the front porch of the church after 11:00 a.m. on Palm Sunday. You will need to download the bulletin from our website.
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Maundy Thursday, 4/1 – at 6:00 p.m. live on Zoom
Maundy Thursday Agape Meal will be live on Zoom in place of our usual Maundy Thursday service. An Agape meal usually happens in the parish hall of a church before the Maundy Thursday service. This year, every family is invited to set their table for their regular Thursday night meal (no judgment: take out, home cooked, reheated left-overs are all appropriate.) Place your computer or mobile device at one end of your table so we can all see each other. At 6:00 p.m., we will gather on Zoom and eat together. The service will have prayer, Scripture, a prayer each over the wine, bread, and other foods. So have some wine and bread at the table. If you don't drink, grape or other juice will work just fine. It will last about 40-45 minutes. Different families will be invited to share the readings and prayers.
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Maundy Thursday at 8:00 p.m., Stripping of the Altar
The stripping of the altar from the church will premiere on YouTube and Facebook. We will hear Jim Taylor, tenor, singing Psalm 22 acapella.
Why is it called Maundy Thursday?
Maundy is an Anglo-French word derived from mandatum in Latin. Mandatum means Commandment. On Maundy Thursday, we always read Jesus teaching, "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 NRSV) Thus, Maundy, or Mandate, Thursday is the day we are reminded that Jesus mandates love is the way.
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Good Friday, 4/2 – live at Noon on YouTube and Facebook
A traditional Good Friday will live stream at noon from the church on YouTube and Facebook. The service begins and ends in silence. You will need to download the bulletin from our website.
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Easter Vigil, 4/3 – live at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom
On Saturday, we’ll hold an Easter vigil with stories over Zoom beginning at 7:30 p.m.
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Easter Day, 4/4 – in-person at 10am in the parking lot and live on YouTube and Facebook
On Easter Day, we will return to in-person worship at Grace & Holy Trinity! (as long as COVID numbers stay safe and the weather holds up). We plan to flower the cross, hear a choir of eight voices, and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior!
The service will also be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook. Things to know if you are attending in-person:
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Attendance is limited to 75 people (plus the choir, ushers, and clergy), so please sign up as soon as possible if you plan to attend. If you are unsure, please don’t sign up at this time; we need an accurate count. If we hit our limit, we will consider a second service that day. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on Good Friday, 4/2.
- Bring your own camp or folding chairs.
- People who do not live in the same house will be spaced six feet apart. Ushers will be seating groups by immediate household members.
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Parking will be in the VCU deck at Main and Cherry St. or you may park on the street (Laurel, Cherry, Main or Cathedral). The VCU deck has a QR code that you can use for free parking. Here are instructions on how to use the code.
- Entry and exit points will be clearly marked on Cherry Street and Laurel Street by the alley; social distancing applies outside, too, so please give others plenty of room.
- There will be a check-in table so please allow a few extra minutes when you arrive.
- Stay home if you are unwell or showing any COVID-19 symptoms.
- Masks and social distancing of six feet are required.
- Bring a flower from your yard to flower the cross…it’s a wonderful way to celebrate together!
If you are unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook beginning at 10:00 a.m. Tune in at 9:55 a.m. to hear the prelude music.
In case of inclement weather, you will be notified on Good Friday. If we are unable to gather outside, the service will be livestreamed from inside the church.
Note: We are not regathering in Monroe Park because the church was denied permits from the city due to restrictions on the number of people and using amplified music. We are so thankful for the parking lot behind Grace and Holy Trinity Church where we will be able to regather on the Sundays in Easter season!
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Volunteers Needed for Sundays |
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Volunteer to be an usher, welcome your fellow church friends at the check-in table, assist with the sound system, or help with set-up and break down for each Sunday service. We need 8 volunteers for each week of the Easter season—email Peter Knecht to help!
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