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Greetings!
We clergy always talk about Holy Week as a journey, but we never tell you what to pack!
So . . . here’s a ready-made “to-do” list for our journey through Holy Week . . .
WEDNESDAY of HOLY WEEK
Noon – Sanctuary – Women of the Passion
Pack anticipation for a profound experience: first-person accounts of women of witnessed the Passion of Jesus Christ, as told by Katie Sherrod, Episcopal lay-woman and journalist. Sherrod was the first woman to run a newsroom in Texas. You won’t want to miss this.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
7:00 pm – Sanctuary – Footwashing and Eucharist. No need to pack your socks! Come prepared to join in the ritual of footwashing, which Jesus commanded his disciples to do not because their feet were dirty but because ??? (Come find out WHY!)
NIGHT WATCH
Pack the prayers you will find below . . . and take them to your favorite cozy chair or to your bedside table. Plan a time to awaken during the night – or simply pray them when the Spirit awakens you. Know that many around the world are praying with you for hope, for justice, for peace.
GOOD FRIDAY
12:00 pm – Sanctuary – Witnessing Jesus’ Death and Burning our Sins
No need to pack anything. Everything you need to see your sins go up in smoke will be provided – including fire!
7:00 pm – St. Mark Lutheran Church – 2109 College St. SE, Lacey – Tenebrae Service with Fauré’s Requiem. Pack your cell phone or GPS, so it can guide you to St. Mark Lutheran, where we will experience Christ’s Passion in song, even as the Light is extinguished
HOLY SATURDAY
10:00 am – Sanctuary – Prayer and Reflection
No need to pack anything (except, maybe, a travel mug of coffee) for this simple, come-as-you-are service of prayer and reflection.
EASTER VIGIL
7:00 pm – Sanctuary – The Celebration of Christ Trampling Down Death
Pack: Keys or a small bell; food donations; money (optional); mask (optional) – It’s a long journey, so pack accordingly! The Easter Vigil is a feast for all the senses . . . sight (candles); hearing (bells, music; shouts of alleluia!); touch (exchanging the peace, sprinkle of baptismal water); smell (incense); taste (bread and wine). Please feel free to wear an N-95 mask if incense is troublesome for you. Also, bring gifts for God and the people of God: food for those in need (lists in this week's The Messenger and in the Parish Hall) and funds to support the ministries of SJSJ.
EASTER DAY
8:00 am – Sanctuary – Alleluia! Christ is Risen! (lots of music; no incense)
Pack: Dish for breakfast following worship; money (optional)
Bring a dish to share, an Easter basket (for the kids), and – in thanksgiving for God’s transforming love – donations of food for those in need (see lists in this week's Messenger and in the Parish Hall) and funds to support the ministries of SJSJ
10:30 am – Sanctuary – Alleluia! Christ is Risen! (lots of music; no incense)
Pack: Dish for Easter brunch; food donations; Easter basket; money (optional)
Bring a dish to share, an Easter basket (for the kids), and – in thanksgiving for God’s transforming love – donations of food for those in need (see list below) and funds to support the ministries of SJSJ
6:00 pm – Templo – Aleluya, Cristo ha resusitado (mucha música; bautizos; primera communion)
Empaca: Cesta de Pascua para los niños; dinero (opcional)
Vengan al culto y quédense a cenar; ¡los anglosajones nos ofrecerán un banquete! También habrá una búsqueda de huevos de Pascua para los niños. Les pedimos que traigan ofrendas para apoyar los ministerios de nuestra congregación.
All packed up?! Then, let’s go!
With you on the journey,
Janet+
PS – There’s one more item that you might consider packing for any/all services: a crash helmet. Author Annie Dillard famously wrote that, if what we’re really expecting when we come to church is a serious, potentially shocking encounter with the Divine, then the appropriate attire is a crash helmet. Our loving, liberating, life-giving God is going to show up HERE every day this week. Come, receive the blessings God has in store for you this week!
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