Invite folks you know to join us for any and all of our activities during Holy Week:
- Palm Sunday – March 25, Rite One Eucharist at 8 am and Rite Two Eucharist at 10 am
- Tuesday, March 27 – Passover Seder Meal at 7 pm
- Wednesday, March 28 – Holy Eucharist at 6:30 pm
- Thursday, March 29 – Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar at 7 pm (Incense)
- Good Friday – March 30, Services at 12 pm and 7 pm
- The Great Vigil of Easter – Saturday, March 31 at 8 pm (Incense) and Break the Fast Feast at 10 pm
- Easter Day – Holy Eucharist Sunday, April 1 at 10 am (No 8 am Service)
NOTE: There will be no Bible Study Class during Holy Week.
A more in-depth look at Holy Week at St. Thomas the Apostle
by The Rev’d Joy A. Daley
We have a gift before us this coming week, an opportunity to walk together into the deepest mysteries of our faith. It is not an easy week to enter, for we are confronted with darkness and death. We may think there is enough of that in the world already. But the way of the world and the Way of the Cross are vastly different. The way of the world leaves us stuck in the middle of all that is painful. The Way of the Cross offers us the intimacy of walking with Jesus and one another. We move toward light and new life. Jesus was willing to give his life to show us how to live, the ultimate reminder that Love wins. Entering into this week is an opportunity to experience this Love more deeply. May we open our hearts to this gift given freely by our God.
Palm Sunday Eucharist 8am, 10 am, Incense at 10 only
We recall when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as a humble and accessible servant. Join the procession with palms and remember the type of kingdom and servanthood to which Jesus calls us. The 10:00 am service begins in the garden (or parish hall if there is rain) The 8 am will begin in the Narthex.
Tuesday, Seder Meal 7:00 pm Parish Hall
The Passover Seder Haggadah tells the story of how the Hebrew slaves were freed from the Egyptian Pharoah. A meal will be served with symbolic foods and the story will be told of Israel’s liberation from bondage through God’s redemption .
Wednesday, Holy Eucharist 6:30 pm
The authorities are looking for a way to arrest and kill Jesus. The disciples do not understand what is happening . One of them is making a deal to betray him. Jesus is very alone on the journey. Come and reflect on this holy day in the church with your brothers and sisters as we celebrate Eucharist together.
Thursday 7:00 pm Holy Eucharist with Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar (Incense will be used)
On this evening and during this service we recall two very significant events that remind us why we, in our denomination, worship as we do and why we are called as Christians to serve others : The Lord’s Supper and the Footwashing. We are called not only to recall in our minds the words of institution, (This is my Body, this is my Blood) but to be re-membered to this experience , to sit at the table as a disciple. After the meal Jesus humbly knelt down and washed the feet of the disciples giving us the example “as I have done this for you, go and do for others.” At the end of the service the altar is stripped to help us recall the emptiness as Jesus was then betrayed, interrogated, beaten and ultimately crucified. The Blessed Sacrament is moved to the parish Hall for The Watch.
The Watch – Thursday 9pm-Midnight, Friday 8:00 am – Noon
This follows the Maundy Thursday Service in the parish Hall. It is based on Jesus words to his disciples as he wrestled with what was about to happen to him and found the disciples sleeping, “So could you not stay awake with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40) It is a time to sign up with others and sit with Jesus and pray for one hour in the parish hall. There is a sign up sheet for 9pm-Midnight Thursday evening and 8am-12pm Friday Morning. Simply come to the double doors leading into the parish hall, knock and the folks who are there the hour before will let you in.
Good Friday – 12:00 Noon and 7pm
This is a very solemn day when we recall Jesus’ death on the cross.
Both the Noon service and The 7pm Service will include Veneration of the cross, the Solemn Collects, and Communion from the reserved sacrament from the Maundy Thursday Service. There is no celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Good Friday. The singing of the Passion according to St. John by our choir will occur at the 7pm service only. The beauty of their offering is a blessing to all who attend.
Holy Saturday This is a quiet day of reflection when we recall that Jesus was in the tomb and the disciples were in deep despair fearing that their dream of a new kingdom had died along with Jesus. There is a brief service in the Book of Common Prayer (p. 283) with scripture readings that individuals are encouraged to pray on their own.
The Great Vigil of Easter – 8:00 pm Saturday night (Incense will be used)
This is considered the first service of Easter Day. We begin in darkness and then joyfully move into the light of Easter. The service consists of 4 parts:
- The service of light
- The service of Lessons
- Christian Initiation or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows
- The Holy Eucharist with the Administration of Communion
Break the Fast Feast – Immediately following the Easter Vigil
Join your brothers and sisters in the parish hall for a joyful feast as we celebrate all that Christ has done for us through his glorious resurrection! Bring a favorite finger food to share.
Easter Day – 10:00 am (no 8am Eucharist)
This is a most joyful celebration as we recall what Christ has done for us, how he has trampled down death so that we might live in fullness of life with him. Come and celebrate the Holy Eucharist and proclaim Alleluia once again.
