The end of Lent is fast approaching as we prepare to enter into Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday on March 24. As early as the fourth century, followers of Jesus have gathered together to retrace and remember the last days of Jesus Christ, especially in the three sacred days that make up the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday). Together, these liturgies are not three services, but rather one extended liturgy that stretches over the three days. These services and our prayers through these days invite us into the Paschal mystery, which is to say the life, death and resurrection of Christ, and consider how our lives are found in this sacred mystery that is the center of our faith.
I hope you will consider joining us at St. Thomas as we walk through this most holy of weeks together.
grace and peace,
Melesa+
Palm Sunday, March 24 Services at 8am and 10am The Palm Sunday liturgy is built around paradox. We begin outside with the Liturgy of the Palms. We hear the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the people waving leafy branches and shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" After the palms are blessed, we process into the church singing "All Glory Laud and Honor." Once inside, the tone of the service shifts abruptly. We move from joy to sorrow and we tell the story of Christ’s crucifixion.
Maundy Thursday, March 28 Service at 7pm with Eucharist, Foot Washing, Stripping of the Altar During the Maundy Thursday liturgy, we celebrate Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples before his betrayal and crucifixion. Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum and refers to the new commandment that Jesus gave his disciples to love one another. After the sermon, those who wish to participate are invited to come forward to have their feet washed and to wash one other person's feet. After the Eucharist, we strip the altar in preparation for the starkness of Good Friday. This reminds us that Jesus' body was stripped before he was crucified. A member of the choir will chant Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?" while this is being done. We depart in silence and deep contemplation.
Good Friday, March 29 Service at 7pm We enter a very stark church on Good Friday as we prepare to commemorate Jesus' crucifixion. The Good Friday liturgy helps us to reenter that moment in history and reflect on the brokenness of the world. The procession is silent. The liturgy of the day includes John’s account of the Passion gospel, a solemn form of intercession known as the solemn collects (dating from ancient Rome), and optional devotions before the cross (commonly known as the veneration of the cross).
Ecumenical Good Friday Procession and Service At 2pm we will gather with our neighbors at St. Thomas for the Ecumenical Good Friday procession. We will begin at St. Thomas then walk to St. Luke’s Lutheran, Greendale Community, and end at St. Alphonsus prior to the Good Friday service that will begin at 3pm. It is recommended that if you intend to participate in the procession, that you coordinate a ride back to your vehicle at St. Thomas or park near Parking Street (a half way point).
Holy Saturday, March 30 Easter Vigil Service at 8pm This most ancient of holy days is rich in symbolism, saturated with the word of God, and is, in fact, the principal celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. We begin in the courtyard and light a fire against the darkness of the night. From the fire, we light the Paschal candle, the big candle that represents Christ as the Light of the world. We then light our individual candles from the Paschal candle and process into a darkened church that has been adorned for Easter. We hear the ancient Exsultet, an ancient hymn that expresses the mystery and majesty of this most holy night. We tell the story of salvation history through readings from the Old Testament and music. Throughout the ages, it has been in this worship that countless saints have proclaimed, Alleluia, Christ is Risen! Indeed, when we celebrate the Easter Vigil, we recall the total darkness of the tomb, in order that the splendid light of the resurrection might be all the more glorious. A chocolate and bubbles reception will follow the Easter Vigil.
Easter Sunday, March 31 Services at 8am and 10am with Easter Egg Hunt after 10am service We continue the Easter celebration that was begun at the Vigil the night before. We have a joy-filled liturgy and give thanks for Jesus' triumph over death and the new life that he shares with us. It will be wonderful to open our doors to family, friends and neighbors! Note: Easter is a season that just begins on the Day of the Resurrection. The Easter season is called the Great Fifty Days, so we have many days to celebrate and keep the feast. The Great Fifty Days culminate with the Day of Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit) on Sunday, May 19, 2024.