A Christian community of all ages

grounded in

worship, well-being, and service.

From the

Rector

Dear Friends,

In a few minutes nearly a dozen 'tweens, teens and adult leaders will gather for one of our newest programs. This will be their second week together sharing dinner and some creative time. This is one of my favorite signs of new life at St. Mary's. It is a ministry that has sprung up as our lay leaders, especially the Christian formation team led by Jason DeFalco, have noticed the growing number of young people at St. Mary's. I hope you join me in gratitude that we have children and youth in our community as well as adult leaders who are supporting them. This program is a new thing, a first thing. What a great time of year for a new beginning!

We know a lot about endings and last things, and these often seem more potent and poignant than first things. Last things tend to be amplified, of ultimate importance. I've been asking groups, including our vestry last night, what they would do if they knew they only had one more week on earth. You can tell a lot about a person based on what they would do if they knew they only had one more week to live.

We are about to cross the threshold into Holy Week, the sacred time when we remember Jesus' last days on earth. Palm Saturday and Sunday we remember his final entry into Jerusalem. Thursday, we remember the last supper and the most important things Jesus wanted to tell his disciples to remember and do. On Friday we remember his last hours, his last words, and what seemed final, his death on the cross. Then we have the silence of Holy Saturday (unless you are on the altar guild or hospitality team, or rehearsing for the Great Vigil.)

After the sun sets on Saturday evening we experience the darkness of ending which is also the beginning, the Great Vigil of Easter.

We will celebrate the Holy Baptism of Lucy Hayes and renew our own baptismal promises. We will ring bells and celebrate God's triumph over death in resurrection. The mystery and joy of resurrection is so significant we continue to dwell in it for the Great Fifty Days of Easter.

This is the most important week of the year for Christians. When we say we remember these last days, last sayings, and last actions of Jesus, we do not only do this in our minds, we actually enter into the stories. We embody them, walking with Jesus and each other in a powerful way.

Walking together in Holy Week is one of the most ancient customs of the Christian church. Though our rituals are varied, this annual pilgrimage connects Christians through all time and places in the Body of Christ. This becomes the basis for new life that is emerging even now. We will be changed by our participation.

As you prepare to enter in, think about what you would do if these were your last days. What might you wish to say, to set right, to make clear about what is most important to you? Holy Week at St. Mary's will be a time of remembering how Jesus walked through his last week. Come and remember, see with fresh eyes how God brings new life from death.

I look forward to this coming week in community. I hope you will be a part of the journey.

Faithfully, 

Jennifer+

Weekly worship is on

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and

Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Please Note Easter Weekend Service times:

Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m.

Christian Meditation is weekly

on Saturdays, 4:00 - 4:45 p.m., Southside Classroom, Lower Level, Parish House.

For all of St. Mary's activities visit our online calendar.

Worship

Click on the image above for the Saturday evening bulletin and the one below for the Sunday morning.

Join us in worship at 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays or 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. (Note changes on Easter Weekend.) The liturgical ministers for our worship services are listed in the bulletin.

Worship on Sundays at 10:00 is live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Use the comment section to say hello if you use Facebook.

You also can listen to the Gospel reading and sermon at your convenience on Apple Podcasts and Podbean. They are available by 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

We are trying to make better connections between those who are in person and those who are at home.If you miss worship on Sunday and just want to hear the sermon, you can listen to it online.

Prayer requests for individuals can be added to the prayers of the people for weekend worship and in the daily prayers of our prayer team by contacting Parish Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month.

Worship at St. Mary’s will begin in or outside the historic church. We share worship with Holy Trinity on Good Friday evening and at the Great Vigil. See below for details.

Triduum Sacrum - The Three Holy Days

   Maundy Thursday – April 2, 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church

Foot washing – Remembering the Last Supper – Stripping of the Altar

Live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

                                                  Good Friday – April 3

Passion Gospel – Solemn Collects – Burial Devotion

Noon at St. Mary’s Church

Live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

or

                      7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 1956 Main Road Tiverton, RI

 Great Vigil of Easter at St. Mary’s Church – April 4

7:15 p.m. Lighting the new fire in the churchyard

7:30 Worship begins

Blessing of the new fire and new Paschal Candle

 The Exsultet

The Story of God’s Saving Actions

Baptism & renewal of baptismal vows – Easter Communion

Followed by a festive Easter celebration in the Parish House

Will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

 Easter Sunday – April 5, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

    Festive Holy Eucharist

9 a.m. service will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

Egg Hunt 10:15

For all Easter services please bring bells to ring!

We're looking to fill the eggs!

Please donate candy for the Easter egg hunt on April 4.

The deadline to donate is Sunday, March 29.

We will be hosting a festive Easter celebration following the Great Vigil on Saturday, April 4. We will be welcoming guests who have come for the baptism as well as members of Holy Trinity.

Please offer your hospitality skills in a way that feels right for you. Opportunities are open for you to share in hosting this glorious event. You can signup online.

Click on the image above to register for the sound bath on April 12.

For all other types of communication:

Contact the Rector if you'd like it verbally announced at worship. 

Contact Parish Associate for Administration Karen Laroche to be included in writing in the weekly worship bulletin.

Image credits: Richard Grosvenor, Historic Church, watercolor, used with permission.

Stay Connected:

http://www.smcportsmouth.org/