Worship During Holy Week
Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Church, when we commemorate the events of Jesus’ final week leading to his crucifixion. It begins with his entry into Jerusalem, and includes his final meal with his friends, washing their feet, praying fervently in Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas, the strange trial before Pilate and his execution. Christians believe that every aspect of this week is sacred, and especially the Triduum (Maundy Thursday through the Great Vigil of Easter). Each service is steeped in rich and ancient symbolism and is designed to help the believer experience the power of Christ’s Passion. For the faithful, worship in Holy Week takes precedence over other obligations: work, school, sports, recreation, etc. There is no better, more appropriate way to prepare for the profound joy of Easter than to travel the way of the cross with the one who gave himself freely so that we would have life.
Tenebrae - Wednesday, April 20, 7pm
The service of Tenebrae (Latin for “shadows”), held on Holy Wednesday at 7:00 p.m, begins with light and gradually moves toward darkness by extinguishing a series of candles. This mirrors our experience of Holy Week, as we begin in triumph at the entrance of Palm Sunday and move toward the grim reality of Good Friday. However, the service concludes with a solitary candle, briefly hidden from view as a reminder of Jesus’ tomb, but brought back out to symbolize the light of Christ even in that darkest hour. The service combines elements from several ancient monastic traditions, and is quite distinct from our usual Sunday services in its use of psalmody, prayers, and readings.
Maundy Thursday - Thursday, April 21, 7pm
In John’s gospel, Jesus spent much of the Last Supper with his disciples praying for the unity of all who follow him. “Father, protect them in your name,”
Jesus says, “so that they may be one as we are one (John 17:11).” So on Maundy Thursday, when we commemorate the Last Supper and Jesus’ command (“maundy” comes from the Latin for command) to love one another as he loves us, St. Peter’s will embrace this invitation to loving unity and join together with the community of St. Augustine’s in Kingston (35 Lower College Road). At 6:00 p.m. there will be a simple meal of soup and bread, then at 7:00 p.m. we will worship together. The service will include footwashing, the traditional stripping of the altar, and an altar of repose for people to keep an hour-long vigil (Matt 26:40-41).
Good Friday - Friday, April 22, Noon & 7pm
At noon we will conduct a service of Three Holy Hours in commemoration of the hours (probably more than three) that our Lord suffered on the cross. The service expands the traditional Good Friday liturgy with extended periods of silence, two spoken meditations, musical offerings, veneration of the cross, and Stations of the Cross. Then at 7:00 p.m. we will conduct the traditional prayer book liturgy for Good Friday, including reading the Passion and veneration of the cross. Both are meaningful ways to honor the great sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and the journey by God into death itself to demonstrate his amazing love.
Holy Saturday
There are no services scheduled for Holy Saturday. You are encouraged to not schedule any activities for that day. Instead, allow plenty of time for prayer and contemplation of Christ’s descent among the dead. It is a day of restful waiting, as we prepare to discover yet again the miracle of the empty tomb.
The Great Vigil of Easter - Sunday, April 24, 6 am
This is the most ancient of all Christian liturgies and is rich with power and beauty. This year we will celebrate the Vigil at dawn, so that the light of the sun will gradually illuminate our worship. The service begins in relative darkness with the lighting of a new fire, symbolizing the Light of Christ kindled in the darkness of the empty tomb. It also includes the singing of the ancient poem Exultet (about Christ’s victorious rising from death), baptisms, readings tracing our salvation history, the first Alleluias of Easter, incense, Choir, sung Eucharist and plenty of Easter joy.
No 8:00 a.m. Service
Because of the length of the Great Vigil, there will be no 8 o’clock service on Easter Day.
Easter Day Activities for Children - 9:15 am
Children are invited early to church on Easter Day! Children will help Casey “un-bury” the Alleluia (symbolically buried during Lent). There will be an Easter Egg Hunt on the lawn beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m, and children will also flower two crosses for display in the church.
Festival Easter Day Eucharist - 10:15 am
A family-friendly Eucharist will conclude our Easter Day celebration. Our joyful Easter singing will be supplemented by a brass quartet, Alleluias will ring, and the sight and smell of a profusion of flowers will enhance our worship.
