Grace and peace,

Our Lenten journey is slowly coming to a conclusion; I use the term “conclusion” lightly because this is not an end as much as it is both beginning and continuation. Our journey is ongoing, much like a tide that ebbs and flows, so too does our journey ebb and flo as we move to be closer to God, to be more Christ like, to simply breathe with God. 

This Lent we have offered opportunities to return to basics, to simply breathe with God. I pray that you experienced a holy Lent, and also found that the intentional space in our worship to breathe with God was a blessing for your journey. We now come to that time in our liturgical year that offers so many opportunities to experience deep worship with God, admittedly, it can feel overwhelming. I still recall the first time that I took each of the services of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday through the Great Vigil of Easter, to heart; that week changed my faith profoundly. I encourage you to consider the same devotion to Holy Week, to open yourself up to God in new and different ways beginning with Palm Sunday.  

Our celebration of Palm Sunday, 13 April, will include the reading of the Passion of our Lord at the end of the service. This adaptation of the liturgy properly separates the celebration of the Eucharist from the weight of the Passion. Following the 10:30 service we will have the opportunity to create images for the Stations with either paint, pastel, or pencil. 

During Tenebrae, on Wednesday 16 April at 7:30pm, we will tell the story of our journey with God as we move further into the darkness amidst the music of organ, harp, and euphonium. With readings, both sacred and secular, we will gradually extinguish candles until we finally depart in silence. Prior to the service there will be a simple meal of soup and bread.

On Maundy Thursday, 17 April, services are at 5:30pm for a more informal family-oriented option with a simple meal in the parish hall. At 7:30pm we will hold a traditional liturgy. During these services we reflect on the institution of the Eucharist and how Christ models servanthood through the washing of each other’s feet. “For I have set for you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”



For Good Friday, you may begin your experience at noon by walking the Stations of the Cross moving through the school and church as we move through the events of Jesus’ life. Our journey with the Stations of the Cross begins in the school gym lobby. The Good Friday liturgy, with veneration of the Cross and a guest cellist, will be offered at 7:30pm.

The Easter Acclamation takes us to our basics – Christ is Risen, The Lord is Risen indeed. Our celebration of Easter will begin after sunset on Saturday, 8PM, with the Great Vigil of Easter. At this service we light the new fire, that is to us both the Light of Christ, and a symbol of the fires of creation. We will read the lessons of our journey with God, renew our Baptismal Vows and celebrate the first of our Easter Eucharists; all this will be accompanied by a brass trio. This is one of the most beautiful services of our prayer book. The service at 9am Sunday is an interactive family service. Following the 9am service there will be a children’s Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt. Our 11am Choral Eucharist will have choir, flute, violin, viola, bassoon, and tenor.

Holy Week and Easter are full of opportunities to breathe with God. Please join us for this week-long journey. 

As a reminder, the following Sunday, 27 April, Deacon Nancy, Mother Shivaun, Cambria, and I invite you to a volunteer appreciation lunch. Information is included in this Bell Tower.

Peace

Fr. Henry+