The church does not memorialize Jesus’ passion during Holy Week. As disciples, we follow Jesus to the cross and become eye-witnesses to the resurrection. That is why Holy Week is the most sacred time of the Christian calendar.
You are invited and encouraged to clear your calendar in ways that allow you to take this journey that shapes the Christian people as vessels of the “Good News” in the world.
Palm Sunday, April 1st
Palm Sunday begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and ends with the shocking arrest, trial and crucifixion. Why do the same people who yelled, “Hosanna!” one day yell “Crucify him!” not long after? Come and see….
8am: Rite 1 Service followed by Passion Reading
9am: Breakfast with First Presbyterian Church in St. John’s Parish Hall
9:30 am: Palm Procession to First Presbyterian and Back
10 am: Rite II Service with Passion Reading by Parishioners
Maundy Thursday, April 5th
6:30 pm: Seder in the Parish Hall
8 pm: Maundy Thursday Service
9 pm– 7:30 am: Vigil (sign up for hour long slots)
The Last Supper occurred either during or very near Passover— the celebration of God’s freeing the people of Israel from the bonds of slavery. Jesus, too, comes to liberate us, but from a different kind of slavery. During the Last Supper, Jesus shows his love for his followers by washing their feet, a foul job in ancient Palestine, commonly reserved for slaves. Then, Jesus gives his followers the Great Commandment: that we love one another as he has loved us. After the supper, Jesus retreats to the Mount of Olives to pray and he asks his disciples to pray as well. They have a hard time staying awake— will we?! Jesus’ prayer ends with his arrest, which culminates in his execution. We strip our church of its beautiful adornments, empty the tabernacle (where the reserved wine and bread are kept) turn off the lights and blow out the sacrament candle. What are our lives like without the presence of Jesus?
Good Friday, April 6th
7:30 am: Morning Prayer in the Church
Noon : Good Friday Service in the Church
Jesus died on the cross in the middle of the day. We read St. John’s account of Jesus’ death at the noon Good Friday Service and experience a world set adrift— a hopeless world that has cut itself off from its Lover, Creator and Redeemer. Jesus is buried; the stone covers his tomb.
7:00 pm: Service of the Seven Last Words
At 7pm, Seven members of St. John’s will lead the Service of the Seven Last Words by reflecting on the last words the Gospels report Jesus said from the cross.
11:00 am– 5:00pm: Stations of the Cross at Light on Main
Light on Main will be open all day with the Stations of the Cross hung on our bookcases for independent prayer personal reflection.
The Great Vigil of Easter, Saturday, April 7th 7:30 pm
This is the holiest service of the church year. The service begins in darkness as we follow the women to the tomb where Jesus was laid. But the tomb is empty! A fire lights the new paschal candle from which candles are lit through out the church. Jesus , our only Light, has risen and has conquered death forever! We celebrate God’s redemption of the world by recounting God’s salvific acts throughout Hebrew Scripture, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus. This is the very moment of Easter.
Easter Sunday, April 8th
6:30 am : Sunrise Service with Mount Carmel Catholic Church at Grace Lord Park
At 6:30 am please join with our brothers and sisters from Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church to read the Good News that Jesus is risen and sing songs of joy as the sun rises and the Light of the World shines in our hearts.
9:30 am Combined Service followed by Brunch & an Easter Egg Hunt
Then at 9:30 am at the church, we will celebrate Jesus’ unrelenting love for us that not even the bonds of death are able to contain. Flowers fill the sanctuary, we shout “Alleluia!” again and sing beautiful songs of unspeakable joy. The church is re-born!
