Your clergy team is hard at work planning a rich and meaningful week of services. Please plan to join us on Zoom! We will be sending out a new meeting link and password to attend. If you are not on our regular email list, and would like to get an invite to attend one of the following service times, please email Father Christopher and mention the service or services you’re interested in joining.
Service Times for Holy Week and Easter:
- Palm Sunday, April 5 at 10 am
- Maundy Thursday, April 9 at 7 pm
- Good Friday, April 10 at 7 pm
- Holy Saturday, April 11 at 10 am
- The Great Vigil of Easter, April 11 at 8 pm
- Easter Sunday, April 12 at 10 am
Tools for Our Spiritual Journey as we Celebrate together Virtually
For many of us, the liturgies of Holy Week—Palm Sunday through the Vigil on Holy Saturday—are among our favorites of the Church Year. They are meaningful liturgies that invite us to enter into the saving acts of God through Christ. In the wake of COVID-19, we will not be able to gather in-person this Holy Week, so we at St. Thomas want to encourage you to make use of items you have in and around your home as we observe this last week of Jesus’ life with Christians around the world. As followers of a God who is “with” us, the tangible elements of our faith are important. After all, don’t forget that God calls matter “very good” (Gen. 1:31)! We recommend converting a piece of your home (e.g. a table, desk, coffee table, etc.) into an area conducive for your worship and devotions this week. If you have children (or are young-at-heart) it might be helpful to consider it a Holy Week scavenger hunt! This can be done in any way that is meaningful to you, and can include candles/other light sources (to be lit and extinguished at the beginning and end of our time together), the Book of Common Prayer, holy images, and perhaps even flowers! Feel free to do as little, or as much, as you feel comfortable. Below are some examples for each service of Holy Week, though these recommendations are by no means exhaustive:
- Palm Sunday, 10:00 a.m. | Before connecting with us on Zoom or our Facebook livestream, try venturing outside in search of branches or foliage to wave on-screen as we shout “Hosanna!” and welcome Christ into our homes this holy week. We will also be raising our branches high while singing one of our Palm Sunday favorites, “All Glory laud and honor,” (Hymnal 154).
- Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m. | This is the day we remember Christ’s commandment to love one another as he has loved us. Under usual circumstances, we would model this love by washing each other’s feet (or hands!) during the service. As we are all charged with staying home and washing our own hands, we encourage you to consider this an act of love toward your friends and neighbors. For this service, we encourage you to prepare a bowl or basin of water and keep a towel nearby for drying — and don’t forget the soap! During an in-person service, one of the most symbolic elements is the stripping-of-the-altar. After this service remove everything from your kitchen table, desk, coffee table or whatever space you have set aside for your use this Holy Week. Now it may be your custom to observe the Watch, that is, keeping watch with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. This tradition comes from Jesus’ question to his disciples, “Could you not watch with me for an hour?” (Mt 26:40). Take whatever amount of time you wish — whenever you wish this evening — to simply “be” with Jesus in this final night of his life.
- Good Friday, 7:00 p.m. | On this day, the Light of the world was extinguished, such that even the Sun hid its face. It’s okay to feel sorrowful or numb. Find — or even make — a cross in your home and spend time contemplating the depths of Christ’s love. It has become the Church’s tradition to venerate the Cross on this day with kneeling, prostrating, or even kissing its (sanitized) surface. Please do so in whatever manner feels most comfortable to you.
- Holy Saturday, 10:00 a.m. | Today, the body of our Lord lies in the tomb. Like yesterday, it’s a day of sorrow. Spend time waiting beside our Lord. Still your inner voices. Be present. Be quiet. Ponder the death of Jesus—how will you find peace today?
- Holy Saturday, The Great Vigil, 8:00 p.m. | It is the Church’s practice that sundown on Saturday marks the beginning of the third day, the day that changed everything. Accordingly, we gather outside the tomb to await the Risen Christ. Return candles/sources of light to your home “altars,” return images, and greenery and flowers are especially appropriate. Let the light of your candle remind you that you too are the light to the world. Let the water of your shower/bath remind you of your baptism. Rejoice! Christ is risen, trampling over death by death; and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life! Go forth in the Name of the Risen Christ, we look forward to continuing the celebration tomorrow morning.
- Easter Sunday, 10:00 a.m. | Alleluia! Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! Please wear whatever makes this day feel like Easter to you. This can rage anywhere from a suit/dress to more casual attire. Some of us might even be wearing white to mark this new season in the Church Year. Whatever you choose to wear today, please know that your presence with us is what matters most! Rumor has it that Fr. Christopher will be wearing his boater!
