I joined the fifth graders for their Emmaus class a few weeks ago. What struck me most was that none of them seemed to have the slightest idea as to why Jesus died. They may not be alone. Parishioners of every age can benefit from the observance of the events of Holy Week -- not just to reacquaint our selves with Christ’s life, death and resurrection, but also to experience those events personally. When we remember those events they spiritually come alive for us again. The services of Holy Week reenact the most poignant events in Jesus’ life, which, taken together, dramatize the core beliefs of our faith.

Remember the time when theaters ran films continuously? Moviegoers could enter the theater at any time, whether it was the beginning, middle or end of the film, and would stay until the movie came back around to when they came in. If we come in to the unfolding drama of Holy Week only to experience the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and then the resurrection on Easter Day, let alone only Easter, we will have missed much of the of the drama of our Lord’s most poignant experiences. And this is what we’d miss.

Palm Sunday – Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem to be greeted by exhilarated crowds of Jews eager to welcome Him as the Messiah, who would lead them in the overthrow of the Romans and the establishment of God’s Kingdom on Earth. We reenact the Triumphal Entry when we parade from the Parish Hall to the Church. Please gather in the Parish Hall before the 8:30 and 10:30 services.

Passover Seder – Many believe that the Last Supper was, in fact, a Seder, which is the most sacred of Jewish meals. This year there will be a full-fledged Seder expressly for youth. It will be celebrated in the parish hall on Palm Sunday evening from 5 to 6:30 pm.

Maundy Thursday Foot-washing Ceremony and Lord’s Supper – Two of the most powerful things that Jesus ever did before was to wash His disciples’ feet and institute the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist) during His Last Supper with them. We will reenact the foot-washing ceremony for children at 4 pm and with the Lord’s Supper at 7 pm.

The Stripping of the Sanctuary and All Night Vigil – After the Maundy Thursday Eucharist the Chancel will be stripped of everything to symbolize the way Jesus was stripped of everything during His passion. The Holy Sacrament will be placed in the chapel for all those wanting to participate in the traditional prayer vigil.

Good Friday Observances – We will have four services on Good Friday: Stations of the Cross for children, an ecumenical service at noon in the Methodist Church, the liturgy for Good Friday with St. John’s Passion sung by the choir at 2 pm, and Stations of the Cross in the church at 7 pm.

The Great Vigil of Easter – From the lighting of the new fire to the reading of God’s redemptive acts through history to the dramatic proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection, this Easter Eve service is thrilling to behold. It begins at 7:30 pm.

Affectionately in Christ,

Phil +