Starting on Palm Sunday, we embark on what’s known as “Holy Week.”  Holy Week, in the Christian church, is the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, and observed with special solemnity as a time of devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ, the Savior and Lord of the World.  Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, The Great Vigil of Easter, and Easter Sunday get the lion’s share of the focus during Holy Week.

 

On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (see Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19).  We begin with “the Procession of the Palms,” where worshippers hold palm branches as they process into the church.

 

On Holy Monday, we will host a community service as one of six churches in Cashiers and Glenville.  You are invited to a worship service of the Word (Ps 36:5–10; Heb 11:39–12:3; John 12:1–11) from 12-12:30 and then a light lunch from 12:35-1:15.

 

On Holy Wednesday, join us for a light supper of soups and bread from 6-6:30 and then we gather for evening prayer (Isaiah 50:4–9; Ps 69:6–14, 21–22; Heb 9:11–28; Matt 26:1–5, 14–25) from 6:45-7:30.

 

Maundy Thursday begins the Triduum or the sacred three days.  We worship at 6:00 in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper (Exod 12:1–14; Ps 78:15–26; 1 Corin 11:23–26; Luke 22:14–30).  This will also include the ceremony of foot washing.

 

On Good Friday at noon, we worship by remembering the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus. (Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Ps 69:1-23; Hebrews 10:1-25; John 19:1-37).  This most somber of all days is appropriately marked by fasting, abstinence, and penitence, leading us to focus on Jesus and the meaning of his Cross.

 

On Holy Saturday, you may come to the church to pray silently on your own from 1:30-3:00 PM and meditate on these Scriptures:  Job 14:1–17; Ps 130; 1 Peter 4:1–8; Matthew 27:57–66 or John 19:38–42. 

 

On Saturday evening at 7:30, The Great Vigil is observed as the first liturgy of Easter Day.  We commemorate all of salvation history leading up to the Resurrection!  We read the contours of all salvation history in a single service, saying “Alleluia!” for the first time since before the beginning of Lent.  This is really is a unique service!  Come and join us.

 

Then, on Easter Sunday, we remember and celebrate the triumphal Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (Exod 14:10-14,21-31; Ps 118:14-17,22-24; Col 3:1-4; Mark 16:1-8).  Come join us for a community service at the Village Green for a Sunrise service at 7 AM and then our principal service at Christ Anglican at 10:30 AM.

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** RECONCILIATION OF PENITENTS DURING HOLY WEEK (March 22-29).  Contact Fr. Michael through the church office to set up an appt. See BCP, pp. 223-224