Pastoral Note

We extend our deepest condolences to Marcie Ernst upon the death of her mother Diane McCrory who died on Sunday after a valiant battle with vascular dementia. Her funeral will be held on Saturday in Bremen, Georgia. The obituary is online here. Please keep Marcie and Mike and their family in your continued prayers.

The funeral for Barbara Stuart will be held on Wednesday, April 3 at 6:00 PM in Christ Chapel. Stewart will officiate. The interment will be private.

Rest eternal, grant to them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.

May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercies of God, rest in peace.

The Way of the Cross

There is only one way to get to Easter Day, and that is through Holy Week. It’s all about Holy Week. Our lives are all about Holy Week. The liturgies of the Episcopal Church for Holy Week give us words and actions to make the Way of the Cross easier. Together, we share the burden. Together we experience the pomp and circumstance of the Palm Sunday Procession. We know all too well the feelings of betrayal, anger, and disappointment. We regularly find ourselves at the foot of the cross in grief and loss.

Experiencing Holy Week is not for the faint of heart. It is not for those who think they can go it alone. Rather the true experience of Holy Week is for those who are willing to go to the dark places of the world, of the heart, and of the mind. Only when we are at peace with our brokenness and the imperfections of our enemies and loved ones will we truly come to understand our need for a Savior. That Savior is sent because God loves us that much, because God is that good. And because we are not that good, Jesus gives his own life that we might live and know the joy of second and third chances.

I especially want to invite you to experience Palm Sunday. Please bring your favorite brunch dish to Bishop Commons at 9:00 AM. Since we are so overwhelmed with guests and the Egg Hunt on Easter Day, we thought this would be a good time to be with our church family. The kids still have Sunday School and Youth programs. The adults will stay in Inglett for I Will with God’s Help. Nora Hattauer leads the discussion: “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” Nora is a native New Yorker, a cradle Episcopalian, an insurance executive at AIG, and a mom of two awesome kids. She has lived in the Atlanta area for nearly 20 years and is a new resident of Sandy Springs with her partner, Jen, and their blended family.

We’ll begin our 10:15 AM service outside by the bell tower as we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The mood stays celebratory in our service until after communion when we’ll hear the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark and depart in silence.

So come and make this journey with us. Your staff has put in a lot of prayer, creativity, hard work, writing, folding, rehearsing, designing, cooking, stuffing, and hiding to make this experience possible. We do it because we love God. We love this work. We love Holy Innocents, and we love all of you.

Faithfully yours,

The Rev. T. Stewart Lucas Vicar

Join us for Holy Week and Easter

Monday

6:00 PM in Christ Chapel | After his entry into Jerusalem, Jesus visited the home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. In the Gospel of John, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with a costly ointment. Our seminarian Marycelis preaches as Bill celebrates and offers an anointing prayer.

Tuesday

6:00 PM in Christ Chapel | In a conversation with some Greeks or Gentiles recorded in the Gospel of John, Jesus predicts his crucifixion. We mark this night by walking the way of the cross through the eyes of women by reading reflections from the book Women of the Passion. Ruth leads this service that concludes with communion.

Wednesday

6:00 PM in Christ Chapel | Sometimes called Spy Wednesday, the day recalls the betrayal of Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples. We pray for those we love, but we also do the hard work of praying for our enemies and for forgiveness. Our seminarian Taylor preaches and Stewart celebrates communion.

Maundy Thursday | March 28

6:00 PM in Christ Chapel and live-streamed | Taken from the Latin mandatum or commandment, the service recalls Christ’s commandment to love one another, and then the transition to betrayal and the arrest. Ruth preaches at this service which concludes with the stripping of the altar. All leave in silence just as Christ was left alone by those around him.

Vigil of the Blessed Sacrament

March 29 until March 30, 10:00 AM | The reserve sacrament is taken to a small altar set up in the Oratory which is decorated as a garden. All are invited to come and watch with the Lord and spend time in prayer anytime through the night until the vigil ends with a brief service of Morning Prayer at 10:00 AM in Christ Chapel. Sign up here or in person on Sunday morning.

Good Friday | March 29

12:00 PM in the nave and live-streamed | Marking the hour where Jesus hung on the cross, the church worships together in the church nave at noon with readings, preaching, and solemn prayers. Bill will preach at this is a difficult but important service to share as a community.

Easter Vigil | March 30

7:00 PM in the nave and live-streamed | 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 with a kindling of the new Paschal fire and gradually moves into the Church. With choir, organ, brass, chanting, incense, and the first Eucharist of Easter, we celebrate the defeat of death and the promise of new life. Stewart preaches and Ruth celebrates and baptizes her first grandchild!

Easter Day | March 31

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

5:00 PM: Spanish Service in the Nave

6:00 PM: Celtic Service in Christ Chapel

The Church celebrates Christ’s joyful resurrection as a community 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.

Easter Flower and Music Donations - Deadline Sunday!

Donations in memory of or in thanksgiving for friends and loved ones will help make our worship space beautiful with an abundance of flowers. Your gifts may also provide the joyful sound of our brass ensemble as we sing our Alleluias! You may give online, or using one of the envelopes in the pews this Sunday, or sending a check to the church office with a note in the memo line. The deadline for donations is Palm Sunday, March 24.

When donating please list how you would prefer your donation to read in the service leaflet. Contact Renee Stephens | rstephens@holyinnocents.org or calling (404)751-2908.

HI-Lights

A Time For Every Purpose Under Heaven

March 20 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Our communities will once again join together in fellowship and learning on March 20. The Reverend Dr. Bill Murray and Rabbi Brad Levenberg, Ph.D., will share evocative and provocative texts from the Christian and Jewish traditions as participants gather in small groups for discussion and fellowship. Together we will glean where our traditions overlap and where there are differences. In so doing, we will deepen our own understanding of this timely and challenging topic. Space is limited, and RSVPs are required. Though light refreshments will be served, participants should dine beforehand.

Sound Bath Meditation

March 21 | 6:00-8:00 PM

The Women of Holy Innocents have invited Sonia Thames from Wellness Vibe to lead a Sound Bath Meditation for our retreat. She will lead us using harmonious soothing sounds of crystal bowls, Himalayan bowls, gongs, solfeggio pipes, chimes, drums, and other healing musical instruments. Dress comfortably, with leggings, sweatpants, or anything comfortable to you. Bring a yoga mat (or a towel/blanket) to lay on, and a pillow and blanket for comfort. Light nutritious refreshments will be offered beforehand, chairs will be provided for everyone.

Church of the Common Ground: Sandwich Build

March 24

On Sunday, March 24, please join us in the Parish Hall after the 10:15 service to assist in assembling over 80 lunches for our unhoused community members who attend Church of the Common Ground in Woodruff Park, located in downtown Atlanta. We will make sandwiches and pack lunch bags as part of our outreach efforts. Additionally, we are invited to worship with the men and women of CCG at their 1:00 PM service in Woodruff Park. Your participation and support are greatly appreciated.

To learn more about Church of the Common Ground go to churchofthecommonground.org.

Contact Robin Hickey | hickeys5040@gmail.com

Solidarity Easter Egg Hunt Is Just Around the Corner!

March 26-30

Easter is almost here when we get to rejoice with a resounding Alleluia! Just over a week away, Solidarity’s Easter Egg Hunt and celebration for approximately 450 children will have their shouts of joy on the Lower School playground! HI High School homerooms are holding egg stuffing contests. HI Youth Group will gather to assemble the Easter bags. We’d love parishioners to join us! We need just 10 more volunteers per day Mar. 26-28, 1:00-4:00 PM to assemble the Easter bags. Please join the fun and sign up here.

Also, there’s an urgent need for activity books and crayons to fill the Easter bags, and we ask for your help! For your convenience, a link to the Amazon site is here to order these items and have them delivered to the church. Or you can shop and deliver them to the church as well.

And, to just enjoy the children’s excitement on Easter Saturday, Mar. 29, join us from 1:00-4:00 PM for the festivities that will include the Easter egg hunt, face painting, a balloon artist, refreshments, and a visit by the Easter Bunny! This is one of the happiest celebrations of the year! Contact Jan Paul | janpaul1005@gmail.com

Church of the Common Ground Shoe Drive Ends Soon March 28

The call went out and you have given generously. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed shoes and diabetic socks to be distributed to the Church of the Common Ground later this spring. We have received about 90 pairs of new and gently used shoes and sandals (mostly shoes) and about 10 packages of diabetic socks. We have a few areas where we could still use some contributions if you still would like to help. There is still a need for size 10 to 13 men’s slide-on sandals or crocs (no thongs) to be used in the summer months. We are also short on size 12.5 men’s shoes. Last, if you want to make a smaller contribution, we are still collecting Vick’s Vaporub to be used to massage the tired and often diabetic feet of the homeless who go to the CCG foot clinic. Your generosity has been overwhelming and will make a big difference to the worshippers at Church of the Common Ground. Contact Robin Hickey | hickeys5040@gmail.com

Reading Connections

April 8

Join us for the Women's Book Club every second Monday of the month, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, in the large conference room of the church. All are welcome to attend, regardless of age or background. This month's book is Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Contact Kathie Larkin | kathie.larkin@retired.paceacademy.org

Men of HI Retreat

April 19-21

Mark your calendars for spiritual enrichment, fellowship, and renewal at our annual retreat, on April 19-21 at Lake Logan Episcopal Center, in Canton NC near the Blue Ridge Parkway. We will begin our time together Friday evening for dinner followed by a Saturday morning program, afternoon activities, dinner, and a bonfire Saturday night, and wrap up Sunday morning with discussion and Eucharist. Register here.

Contact John Harris | harris4338@gmail.com

Formation

I Will with God's Help

March 3 – April 28

These are the words with which we enter the Baptismal Covenant in the Episcopal Church. Companion with our confirmation candidates for this class series. See it as a refresher course and Reaffirm your own faith when our Bishop visits on May 5th. This class will explore all the questions to which we answer, “I will with God’s help,” at Baptism, Confirmation, and every Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant.

March 24 | Nora Hattauer

“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?”

March 31 | Easter breakfast and Egg Hunt

April 7 | Dave Stockert

“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?”

April 14 | Clergy team: Show and Tell, Fashion, and Episcopal-ese

The polity and practices of the Episcopal Church

April 21 | Lin Stradley

“Do you promise to follow and obey Jesus as your Lord?”

Reading and praying from Scriptures.

April 28 | Clergy team: Sacred Time

The rhythm of prayer: The Prayer Book, Sacraments, and the Seasons

Children & Youth

Children’s Choir

March 24

We are so excited to be singing and leading the processional for Palm Sunday. Our awesome kids have been working hard on our Palm Sunday piece and will lead the Palm Sunday processional at the 10:15 AM service and then sing our anthem at the very beginning of the service. Kids meet in Sunday school at 8:45 AM for muffins and orange juice before we get started with a rehearsal at 9:00 AM!

Easter Egg Hunt

March 31

Double the Easter fun awaits! Join us at 9:30 AM for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Kids of all ages are invited to the playground behind the Church with their baskets in hand. Each age group will have their own hunting area. After the fun, head inside for coffee and pastries while the kids open their eggs together before worship at 10:15 AM.

After worship, it’s time for our Youth Easter Egg Hunt! Calling all 6th-12th graders to the playground for an egg-citing hunt for awesome prizes like gift cards and squishes. Bags will be provided, so come ready to hunt!

You Who Witness Luncheon

April 7

“As witnesses to this transformative moment in the lives of our young confirmands, your presence is valued and cherished. Those who register for this “You Who Witness” luncheon will be assigned a youth confirmand to “adopt” for the remainder of their confirmation process. The requirements for adopting a confirmand are very minimal but extremely beneficial. The “You Who Witness” luncheon is a unique opportunity for our church community to connect with our 17 youth confirmands, engaging in conversations about their faith and sharing their excitement about this next step in their faith. Register here.

Youth Group: Lemonade Days

April 21

The 24th annual Lemonade Days festival will be held in Dunwoody on April 21st and will have full-scale carnival rides, fabulous food, live music, and games! Our youth group will gather after worship at 11:30 AM by the fireplace in Inglett Hall and head to the festival to enjoy a day of fun! We will be back at the church by 4:00 PM, and all students must bring cash for food and rides. Friends are welcome to join us!

Club 45 Sundae Sunday

April 14

Ice Cream for breakfast! Calling all 4^th and 5^th graders to come and make an ice cream sundae on Sunday, April 14^th at 9:00 AM.

VBS Registration is Now Open!

We are so excited to announce that VBS registration is now available. Holy Innocents 2024 VBS will be June 3-7th from 9:00 AM until 12:15 PM with optional aftercare until 3:30 PM. Registration cost is $65 for early bird registration and aftercare is an additional $65.

At Camp Firelight VBS, your child will enjoy an interactive, energizing, faith-based fun time as they learn to face their fears while trusting in God. Campers will explore timeless Bible stories showing how Old and New Testament figures trusted God, faced their fears, and went on to do great things in God’s name.

Campers will perform their VBS song on Sunday, June 9th at 10:15 AM and families are invited to stay after for a picnic lunch!

Limited spots are available, register now. We are looking forward to another exciting week together!

March 24 | Youth Group Restore

Our 6th-12th grade students will meet for Youth Group: Restore on Sunday, March 24. we will gather in Frost from 4:00-6:00 to practice some spiritual exercises before catching up on homework and studying. Students are invited to bring their schoolwork and use this time to recharge and get ready for the week ahead. Light dinner will be provided and friends are welcome!

April 14 | Youth Group

Our 6th-12th grade students will meet for youth group on Sunday, April 14th from 4:00-6:00 PM. We'll enjoy music and dinner together before using small groups to discuss our topic for the evening. Friends are always welcome. Please RSVP to give us a headcount for food.

GLOW | March 27

Join us on March 27 for a very special Holy Week GLOW. We are going to do a campus-wide scavenger hunt focusing on the meaning of Easter. Don’t miss this special time!

GLOW | May 1

Click above to watch last Sunday's service!

Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church | Website