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The Paschal Triduum
The Rev. Dr. Bill Murray, Rector
As a community, the Episcopal Church loves arcane terminology which switches wildly between Latin and Greek. The funny thing is that it is often a mumbling jumble of different traditions and ideas shoved together into one term that few know or understand. We stand on the threshold of just such a season: The Paschal Triduum. The Paschal Triduum are the three days that are most sacred to Christians. The last supper that we call Maundy Thursday, the sacrifice of Good Friday, and the resurrection of Easter. Triduum is Latin and means simply “three days.” Paschal is the English translation of the Greek word “Pascha” which is itself a translation of the Hebrew “Pesach” which is Passover. These three days, tied to the Passover, and intertwined with meaning and expectation. We call Jesus the “Passover lamb” almost every Sunday, but we seldom unpack the layers. What does it mean that the angel of death passes over us? What does Jesus’ death and resurrection mean for our faith? What does it mean that Jesus tied his death to the message of salvation found in Exodus? Those are all heavy and big questions. I guess that is why we just shorten it all to “the Paschal Triduum” and let the services do the work for us.
This year we have some extraordinary offerings. We are trying some new ideas and tying them to the rich and deep history and tradition of our faith and the stories that animate it all.
On Maundy Thursday at 6 pm, we will offer an Agape Feast in the place of the more formal and traditional liturgy. We will eat together in Inglett Hall and tell the story of Passover, of the Last Supper, of what they ate, of how they dined together, and of washing feet and loving one another. This service is designed for Christians of all ages, from 2 to 102. Come and dine and hear the story of Jesus’ love for us.
On Good Friday, we will have the traditional noon service with an exceptional additional offering. Sean and the choir have been hard at work preparing Fauré’s Requiem. There will be a full orchestra with the choir to perform this powerful musical work that will be coupled with the readings and prayers for Good Friday. Over the years, this service is one of the best attended. I would expect that to be even more true this year. The Good Friday Offering will go to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and to care for our Christian siblings in the Holy Land. Please come and give generously or donate online here.
On Saturday night, we have the Easter Vigil at 8 pm. This service begins outside with the lighting of the Easter fire, enters the church for four baptisms and a series of readings, and concludes with shouts of alleluia, the ringing of bells, and a celebration of Christ’s resurrection. This service is always a highlight of the year. The offering for all of our Easter services will go to Outreach. Typically, we spend these dollars on programs in the Sandy Springs community to care for the least in our neighborhoods. Donate online here.
Sunday is Easter Day- the most attended worship service of the year. We will have our regular 8:00 AM, 10:15 AM, and 6:00 PM services with a 1:00 PM service for our Spanish siblings. If you are able, please consider parking in the parking lot behind the church, just off of Powers Ferry. This will allow visitors and some of our older congregants an easier entrance. We will have an Easter Egg Hunt at 9:30 AM. Please come at the beginning of the time. The eggs do not last long, and the children who come late get upset if there are not eggs left for them! We will have brass and extra music. It is a sacred celebration of Christ’s resurrection. 100% of our loose plate offering will go to Outreach.
From this brief description, you can tell that the Paschal Triduum is a sacred, miraculous, and stunning three days. I pray that you can come to all the services. Each part helps us to enter into the mystery of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and continuing life. God willing, if you make it to all three, you can begin to pull back those layers and see just how much meaning can be stuffed into just a few words – and come to know and understand just how much God loves us all.
Bill+
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Vigil in Christ Chapel
After the service, we invite you to watching and pray with the reserved sacrament through the night — just as Jesus asked: “Could you not wait one hour with me?” Choose a time that’s meaningful: an hour before sunrise, the quietest part of your day, or even the hour you’d usually be asleep. Click here to choose your hour.
Good Friday Special Music
Our Choir has also been preparing a special music offering for the noon Good Friday Service. With an amazing Chamber Orchestra, they will sing the Fauré Requiem. Please invite your friends. More below.
Holy Week Services
Scroll down for the full schedule here and find it the Good News newsletter now online.
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Good Friday
April 18, 12:00 PM | Nave & Live-stream
Join us for a solemn and moving Good Friday Liturgy on Friday, April 18, at noon at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church. This powerful service will include scripture, prayer, and reflection on Christ’s passion and death, culminating in a profound musical offering—Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, performed by our adult choir and chamber orchestra. Fauré’s transcendent setting of the Requiem invites us into a space of deep contemplation, hope, and beauty, even in the shadow of the cross. All are welcome for this service expected to last about an hour. The service will be live-streamed.
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Easter Vigil
April 19, 8:00 PM | Nave and Live-stream
Perhaps the most triumphant and joyful service of the year, this service marks the moment when Jesus was raised from the dead to bring new life to the world. The Vigil begins in the Memorial Garden in darkness with a kindling of the new Paschal/Easter fire and gradually moves into the Church nave. With choir, organ, brass, chanting, incense, readings, and the first Eucharist of Easter, we celebrate the defeat of death and the promise of new life.
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Easter Day | April 20
8:00 am | Holy Eucharist in Christ Chapel
9:30 AM | Easter Egg Hunt
10:15 AM | Holy Eucharist in the Nave
11:15 AM | Youth Easter Egg Hunt
1:00 PM | Spanish Service in the Nave
6:00 PM | Celtic Service in Christ Chapel
The Church celebrates Christ’s joyful resurrection as a community at our regularly scheduled services with singing, prayers, preaching, and praise. The rector will preach as we celebrate with choir, organ, brass, and a beautifully decorated church. The 10:15 AM service will be live-streamed.
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Easter Egg Hunt
April 20, 9:30 AM
The hunt is on! Join us at 9:30 AM for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Bring a basket and meet near the entrance of the playground behind the Church. Kids will hunt with their age groups. After the hunt, join us inside for refreshments, and kids can congregate and open their eggs together before worship at 10:15 AM.
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Easter Egg Hunt
April 20, 11:30 AM
Easter isn't just for the little kids! All 6th-12th graders are invited to join us for a Youth Easter Egg Hunt immediately after worship on Easter Sunday. We will meet on the playground to find some awesome prizes like gift cards, squishes, and more. This hunt won't take long but will help make Easter extra special for our older students. Bags will be provided!
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Solidarity Sandy Springs Celebrates Easter at HI
Again, this year Solidarity Sandy Springs will celebrate Easter at Holy Innocents with an Easter Egg Hunt for approximately 400 children on the Lower School’s playground. Please join us on this joyous occasion by volunteering to assemble Easter bags at the church on April 14-17 from 10:00am-1:00pm
For your convenience, click on links to volunteer to be a “bunny”.
The Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, April 19 from 1:00-4:00. Join us for the festivities that will include the Easter Egg Hunt, face painting, a balloon artist, refreshments, and visit by the Easter Bunny! This is one of the happiest celebrations of the year!
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Lenten Food Drive Update – Progress and Gratitude
To date, we’ve collected well over two tons over $7,000 dollars in donations toward our $15,000 goal. Every dollar raised is stretched even further by CAC’s ability to purchase food in bulk, and every item donated goes directly to neighbors in need through their pantry.
Let’s keep the momentum going and see how far we can go together.
Here are a few reminders:
- If you purchase food online, enter Holy Innocents in the “Company Name” block.
- If you donate money, please send or deliver the check to the church so we can determine how many pounds of food your donation is worth.
- Drop off donated food items in the Bishop Commons.
Food items are most needed:
If you’ve donated, thank you for your support of CAC. If not, please join us in our Lenten observance and help our neighbors in need. Look for weekly updates and volunteer opportunities. For more information check our website here, or contact Charles Crosby at charles@corepm.net or Jan Paul at janpaul1005@gmail.com.
How to Get Involved at Holy Innocents
We always have room for you and your gifts at Holy Innocents. Could one of these joyful ministries be calling your name? We especially need:
- Closet organizers
- Chalice-Bearers & Ushers
- Buildings and Grounds team helpers
- Kitchen Team members
- Funeral Reception Ministry
- Acolyte robe washers
- Newsletter folders
Come, lend a hand — and share the joy. Sign up on this form.
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Third Friday: Men of HI
April 18
Enjoy warm hospitality, engaging discussions, and a fresh sausage and biscuit breakfast. Come for the conversation and stay for the fellowship—7:30 AM in the Frost Youth Center.
Contact Charles Crosby | charles@corepm.net
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Men of HI Retreat
April 25-27
The Men of Holy Innocents will gather at Lake Logan Episcopal Center in Canton, North Carolina, near the Blue Ridge Parkway, for a weekend of spiritual enrichment, fellowship, and renewal. The retreat begins with dinner on Friday evening, followed by a Saturday morning program. Saturday afternoon is free for activities like hiking, a visit to Waynesville, golf, fishing, or relaxing on the porch. We’ll wrap up on Sunday morning with the Eucharist.
Contact John Harris | harris4338@gmail.com
678-761-6765
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Women of HI: Mahjong Game Night
May 2, 6:30-9:00 PM
Let’s Learn Mahjong with Casey Freedman.
It’s game night! Mahjong is a tile-trading game akin to Rummy or Bridge that’s having a revival in Atlanta. Come learn to play mahjong on Friday, May 2nd. No experience needed - beginners will learn from Casey Freedman, an experienced mahjong instructor. If you already know mahjong (even if you’re a beginner), join us to play a few games.
Cost is $65 for the lesson with Casey and your own Mahjong card. Free for experienced players.
Please note in your RSVP if you have a four-person card table we can borrow for the event, whether you are signing up to learn or to play, and whether you’ll bring your own tiles and mahjong card (for players). Snacks will be provided; please bring your own wine or beer.
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Men's Dinner and a Book
May 13, 6:30 PM
The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 pm and the book is "The Right Stuff " by Tom Wolfe. Tony Clarke is hosting. If you would like to attend, please contact Jeremy Webber at jhwwebber@gmail.com for details. All men at Holy Innocents are included and invited.
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CAC Night of Hope
May 14, 7:30 PM
Before she was music superstar Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn who wrote hit songs for the biggest acts in music. BEAUTIFUL chronicles her rise as a songwriter, eventually finding her own unique voice with her ground-breaking 1971 album Tapestry. With unforgettable classic songs as “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” this Broadway, feel-good phenomenon is a story you’ll never forget.
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Dinner for Holy Comforter
April 23, 5:00-8:00 PM
The youth group will serve dinner at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church on Wednesday, April 23rd, from 5:00-8:00 PM! About 60% of this congregation lives with mental illness and comes for a worship service on Wednesday nights at 6:30. Our group will provide and serve dinner for those who attend the service. Transportation will be provided, but please sign up quickly so we can plan our meal.
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VBS Volunteers
April 23
We’re calling on our awesome youth to help make an unforgettable week for the kids in our community! Join us as a volunteer from June 2–6—you’ll build leadership skills, create lasting memories, and have a blast with the little ones.
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Youth: Pool Party
May 4, 12:00-3:00 PM
Join us for a pool party after the service on Youth Sunday, May 4th, at the home of David and Madeleine Fluke. We’ll hang out from 12:00–3:00 PM, and lunch is included. Please RSVP to receive the address.
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VBS
June 2-6
Join Holy Innocents Episcopal Church for a very special Road Trip VBS June 2nd-6th! This year's VBS is based on Joshua 1:9, "The LORD your God is with you wherever you go." It reminds us that God's presence is always near no matter where the journey of life takes us. Kids will go on an exciting journey to discover new places, new friends, and new ways that we can discover God's goodness and presence everywhere. Open to rising Pre-K to rising 5th grade. Rising 6th grade and up are invited to serve as youth leaders. The cost is $85 with optional aftercare until 3:30 for an additional $85
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Click here to watch last Sunday's service!
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Pastoral Notes
If someone is in the hospital, has died, or has some other pastoral emergency, we hope you will contact our clergy directly. Please call the church office at 410-255-4023 and follow the prompts. This will connect you directly with the clergyperson on call for the week.
If you have joys to share, new births, grandbabies, graduations, or job announcements, we will gladly share them in our weekly Hi-Lights email if you send a note to communications@holyinnocents.org
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Warning about email scammers
When you receive an email from a Holy Innocents staff member, please check if the sender's email address ends with 'holyinnocents.org'. If it does not, it is likely not from us. Unfortunately, some individuals are attempting to scam various church members, posing as clergy and requesting gift cards. We never ask for money in this way. If someone claiming to be Bill, Stewart, Ruth, or another staff member contacts you, please let us know immediately. Report the email, block the sender, and delete the message. If you have any doubts, please give us a call.
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