Holy Week is the high point of the church year, marking the end of the quiet and contemplative period of Lent and the start of the joyous season of Easter. The moods of Holy Week are as variable as the Spring weather, ranging from the triumph of Palm Sunday, the sadness of Good Friday and ending with the "Alleluias!" of Easter. Come observe Holy Week at Trinity.

March 16, 2008

Palm Sunday

Start Holy Week with a triumphant procession, recalling Jesus' entry into Jerusalem

Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist: 8:30 am and 10:30 am (begins outside in the Courtyard with the Liturgy of the Palms)

This is a service that moves from triumph to somber reverence.

We begin each service with a re-creation of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem waving palm and palm crosses as a symbol of our worship and joyful hope. The mood changes with the reading of the Passion by diverse voices, with the congregation taking on the role of the Crowds. He who is acclaimed is then judged as a criminal and sentenced to suffering and death. We go forth into the Three Great Days.

THE TRIDUUM: The Three Great Days

Triduum is the ancient Latin title for the three days that complete Holy Week. From sunset on Thursday until sunset on Sunday we celebrate one extended liturgy; from Maundy Thursday until the Easter Vigil, no service has a dismissal. In this period we remember and celebrate the event of our Lord’s dying and rising. Each of the primary liturgies is one of the acts in the drama of our salvation.

March 20, 2008

Maundy Thursday

6:30 pm - Agape Meal and Holy Eucharist (Communion) in Angus Hall
7:30 pm - Stripping of the Altar in the Church
8:00 pm until 7:00 am - Candlight Procession to the Altar of Repose in the Chapel, leading to the All-Night Vigil until morning on Good Friday

The Maundy Thursday service commemorates the Last Supper, and the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The word Maundy is an English derivation of the Latin mandatum, or mandate, which comes from Jesus’ words from the Gospel of John (13:34) at the Last Supper, that “you shall love one another as I have loved you.” We will share a simple agape meal reminiscent of the traditional Jewish Passover Seder, and celebrate the Eucharist at table, passing the blessed bread and wine to each other. Music will be provided by Ron Mancini.

To remember Christ’s example of servanthood, we will wash each others’ hands as part of the ritual. Families are especially invited to this service, and infant and toddler childcare will be provided in the Meadow Room.

At 7:30 pm, those who wish to continue the observance of the Holy Night will process to the Church for the Stripping of the Altar, and afterwards, a silent candlelight procession with the Reserved Sacrament to the Altar of Repose in the Chapel. The All Night Vigil in the Chapel will begin at this point. [Teams of at least two people will spend an hour or two in watch over the Reserved Sacrament, in silence or praying, singing, or reading Psalms – Look for the signup list at Coffee Hour].

March 21, 2008

Good Friday

The pain and sadness of Good Friday can be difficult to face, and we are tempted to turn away and focus on the approach of Easter. To fully appreciate the joy of Easter, however, we must face the shock of Good Friday and walk with Christ as he carries his cross to Golgotha.

Three services are offered this day.

7:00 am in the Chapel, a service of Holy Communion will be offered using the Reserved Sacrament.

12 noon to 1 pm: The Stations of the Cross will be offered in the Church. With a narrator guiding us, those who are able will literally walk the Stations of the Cross hung along the side walls of the church. Those who choose to will remain in their seats. All will remember and contemplate the stations accompanied by meditations and prayers offered by parishioners. The Labyrinth will be open from noon to 3 pm.

7:30-8:30 pm in the Chapel: Using the Good Friday Liturgy that originated in the third century and is found in our Book of Common Prayer on page 276, we will pray together in contemplation of the passion and the cross and the Rev. Coryl Lassen will offer a meditation. This service is appropriate for families to experience together.

March 22, 2008

Holy Saturday

8:00 am: Holy Saturday Liturgy
A quiet morning service of prayer in the Chapel.

2:00 - 4:00 pm: "Quiet Festival " for Families
Children, parents, and grandparents gather in Trinity Hall to prepare for Easter withCrafts, prayers and community preparation for Easter Sunday, including dying Easter Eggs and preparing plastic eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt.

8:00 pm: The Great Vigil of Easter
This is the principal liturgy of the Christian year, the fullest act of Christian worship. It is the Christian Passover, the Paschal Feast of the People of God. We gather in darkness and silence on the patio for the rekindling of the new fire from which the Paschal Candle is lit.

We follow the Candle into the Chapel as the Exsultet is sung. Then we hear the history of salvation, we renew our baptismal vows and celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter. We reach the finale of the liturgical drama, and we are renewed together. We are part of the incredible story of God’s salvation that has been going on throughout history.

March 23, 2008

Easter Sunday

6:30 am: Sunrise Service in the Memorial Garden

In the context of three services, 6:30 am in the Memorial Garden (in the Chapel if it rains), 8:30 and 10:30 am in the Church, we celebrate together the hope and promise of the resurrection.

At the 8:30 and 10:30 services, the choir and instruments will lead us into a joyful proclamation of new life. Alleluia! All are invited to join together for a Festive Coffee Hour between the two services while participants in the services share brunch.
An Easter egg hunt will commence promptly after the 10:30 am service on the parish grounds.

Parking: Don't waste time circling through the parking lot. Instead park along Laurel Avenue or in the SRI parking areas across Ravenswood Avenue from the church.