The heart of the Christian faith is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Holy Week is the center of the observance of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, his victory over death. Holy Week begins with the triumphant procession into Jerusalem on Passion Sunday, also known as Palm Sunday. The observance continues on Maundy Thursday when we remember the Lord’s Supper and his Great Commandment. The focus shifts to the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday. On Holy Saturday we pause in our busy preparations for the Easter celebrations to reflect on the burial of Christ. The Easter Vigil is the crowning moment of the Pascal Mystery, the moment when we celebrate that Christ is risen indeed. Easter Day marks the last day of the Holy Week when we celebrate his resurrection.
This page gives an overview to the particular way we tell the story of Holy Week at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
This page gives an overview to the particular way we tell the story of Holy Week at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Sunday, April 2: The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It marks the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. We begin the service with a Gospel reading of Jesus entrance into Jerusalem where his disciples welcome Jesus by waving palms along the way. At St. John’s, the service normally begins outside at the Annex building. Palms are blessed and distributed, and we all process into the church singing the traditional Palm Sunday hymn “All Glory, Laud and Honor.”
Once inside the liturgy turns its focus to recalling Jesus' Passion. Each year we read one of the Passion Gospels. The tone of euphoria and triumph of Jesus’ entry changes dramatically. We who moments earlier shouted “Hosanna”, now cry “Crucify him! Crucify him!” The stage is set for the rest of the week. A week that calls for fasting, reflection, and prayer.
The rest of the liturgy follows as usual with the Great Thanksgiving and Holy Communion. Even though we have read the story of Christ’s death, we proclaim the resurrection through the Eucharist and recognize Christ’s living presence that sustains the Church.
Once inside the liturgy turns its focus to recalling Jesus' Passion. Each year we read one of the Passion Gospels. The tone of euphoria and triumph of Jesus’ entry changes dramatically. We who moments earlier shouted “Hosanna”, now cry “Crucify him! Crucify him!” The stage is set for the rest of the week. A week that calls for fasting, reflection, and prayer.
The rest of the liturgy follows as usual with the Great Thanksgiving and Holy Communion. Even though we have read the story of Christ’s death, we proclaim the resurrection through the Eucharist and recognize Christ’s living presence that sustains the Church.
- 8:30 AM — Holy Eucharist in English (Rite I) - Download the Bulletin
- 11:00 AM — Holy Eucharist in English (Rite II) - Download the Bulletin - Join the service online
- 1:00 PM — Misa en Español - Descargar el Boletín
THE TRIDUUM: THE THREE GREAT DAYS
“Triduum” is a Latin word to mean three days of preparation for a feast day. The Easter Triduum begins with Maundy Thursday, goes through Good Friday and Holy Saturday. These three days underscore the unity of the events that began with the Lord's Supper (also known as The Last Supper) his betrayal, crucifixion and burial, up to the moment of the resurrection. The Easter Vigil marks the end of the Triduum and the beginning of the Easter Celebration. Participating in the services of all three days offers a unique worship experience. The worship services of these three days enable one to walk along with Christ and his disciples. It is a rewarding way to experience these significant events of the Christian faith.
Thursday, April 6: Maundy Thursday
This service takes its name from the Latin word Mandatum, meaning “commandment.” At the Last Supper, Jesus gives the new commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus demonstrated this love by washing the disciples’ feet. Jesus also commanded his followers to remember him when we eat the bread and drink the wine of the Holy Eucharist.
We remember the events of the Last Supper through the readings and the ceremonial foot washing. The foot washing reminds us of the commandment to love one another. Like Peter, some people are often hesitant to have their feet washed. This is an opportunity to allow others to serve us, as Christ did for his disciples in the Upper Room, and for us to serve others. Some members of the congregation accept the invitation to participate in this ritual, while others choose to reflect on what it means to serve one another.
This day commemorates the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper in the Upper Room as Jesus tells his followers to “do this in remembrance of me.” After the Eucharist is celebrated, the congregation pauses to remember the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. As the lights are dimmed and all the adornments of the altar are removed, we are reminded of the grief that the disciples experienced when Jesus was betrayed and taken away. The congregation leaves in silence as they complete their own devotions.
For those who want to continue a silent time of prayer and reflection, an area of the sanctuary is prepared for devotions. The space is adorned with plants and candles to remember Jesus’ time in the Garden of Gethsemane, when his disciples fell asleep as he prayed and suffered. As Jesus’ disciples, we will stay awake and watch and pray with him.
We remember the events of the Last Supper through the readings and the ceremonial foot washing. The foot washing reminds us of the commandment to love one another. Like Peter, some people are often hesitant to have their feet washed. This is an opportunity to allow others to serve us, as Christ did for his disciples in the Upper Room, and for us to serve others. Some members of the congregation accept the invitation to participate in this ritual, while others choose to reflect on what it means to serve one another.
This day commemorates the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper in the Upper Room as Jesus tells his followers to “do this in remembrance of me.” After the Eucharist is celebrated, the congregation pauses to remember the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. As the lights are dimmed and all the adornments of the altar are removed, we are reminded of the grief that the disciples experienced when Jesus was betrayed and taken away. The congregation leaves in silence as they complete their own devotions.
For those who want to continue a silent time of prayer and reflection, an area of the sanctuary is prepared for devotions. The space is adorned with plants and candles to remember Jesus’ time in the Garden of Gethsemane, when his disciples fell asleep as he prayed and suffered. As Jesus’ disciples, we will stay awake and watch and pray with him.
- The “Keeping Watch” Prayer Garden in the Mary Corner will be available 30 minutes before and after the service.
- 7:00 PM — Maundy Thursday Service in English - Download the Bulletin - Join the Service online
Friday, April 7: Good Friday
This day is both a day of mourning and triumph. Good Friday is a commemoration of the crucifixion. The prayers and anthems remind us that the crucifixion is not separated from the resurrection. While it is a day of mourning, Good Friday is an observance of Christ’s victory over death.
The Way of the Cross - Via Crucis: The devotion known as the Way of the Cross, or Stations of the Cross, is an adaptation to local usage of a custom widely observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem: the offering of prayer at a series of places in that city traditionally associated with our Lord’s passion and death. The number of stations has evolved to be fixed at fourteen. Of these, eight are based directly on events recorded in the Gospels. The remaining stations are based on inferences from the Gospel accounts or from pious legend.
The Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday: After a silent procession, we recall the Passion of our Lord from the Gospel of John. The Solemn Collects is an extended form of intercession, based on an ancient form of the prayers of the people. A large wooden cross is brought to the front. People may come forward to the altar area to kneel before the cross and offer their silent devotions. The service ends in silence.
The Way of the Cross - Via Crucis: The devotion known as the Way of the Cross, or Stations of the Cross, is an adaptation to local usage of a custom widely observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem: the offering of prayer at a series of places in that city traditionally associated with our Lord’s passion and death. The number of stations has evolved to be fixed at fourteen. Of these, eight are based directly on events recorded in the Gospels. The remaining stations are based on inferences from the Gospel accounts or from pious legend.
The Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday: After a silent procession, we recall the Passion of our Lord from the Gospel of John. The Solemn Collects is an extended form of intercession, based on an ancient form of the prayers of the people. A large wooden cross is brought to the front. People may come forward to the altar area to kneel before the cross and offer their silent devotions. The service ends in silence.
- The “Keeping Watch” Prayer Garden in the Mary Corner will be available 30 minutes before and after each service.
- NOON — Good Friday Service in English - Download the Bulletin - Join the Service online
- 5:00 PM -- Stations of the Cross in English, with a focus on the women in the Passion Story
- 7:00 PM — Via Crucis y Viernes Santo Misa en Español - Descargar el Boletín
Saturday, April 8: Holy Saturday
The holy Sabbath recalls Christ’s body lying in the tomb and how Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus prepared his body according to the burial custom of the Jews. Holy Saturday ends at sundown with the Easter Vigil.
11:00 AM — Holy Saturday service
THE FEAST OF THE RESURRECTION
Saturday, April 8: The Great Vigil of Easter
The Great Vigil of Easter is the most ancient of the Church’s liturgies. It is by far the most dramatic and moving service of the year as the movement from death and darkness to resurrection and light is powerfully told in word and action.
The Great Vigil consists of four parts:
Then the central moment of the church year occurs: the announcement of the resurrection by the Celebrant with the words “Alleluia, Christ is Risen.” The people respond, “The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia”, the Gloria is sung. Then the first Eucharist of Easter is celebrated with great joy.
Those who attend the Great Vigil for the first time find it to be a most joyful and exuberant celebration of Easter, as they see the New Light come into being and shout “Alleluia! Christ is risen! – The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!” and sing the Gloria in Excelsis for the first time since Ash Wednesday.
The Great Vigil consists of four parts:
- The Service of Light.
- The Service of Lessons.
- The Baptism or Renewal of Baptismal Vows.
- The Holy Eucharist.
Then the central moment of the church year occurs: the announcement of the resurrection by the Celebrant with the words “Alleluia, Christ is Risen.” The people respond, “The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia”, the Gloria is sung. Then the first Eucharist of Easter is celebrated with great joy.
Those who attend the Great Vigil for the first time find it to be a most joyful and exuberant celebration of Easter, as they see the New Light come into being and shout “Alleluia! Christ is risen! – The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!” and sing the Gloria in Excelsis for the first time since Ash Wednesday.
- 8:00 PM — Great Vigil service in English - Download the Bulletin - Join the Service Online
Sunday, April 9: Easter Day
Easter has been celebrated since that first Sunday that the disciples found the empty tomb where Jesus had been buried. The news of Jesus’ resurrection spread to the disciples and the Good News continues to be shared to this day. According to the Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, “Easter is the day of Jesus' resurrection. Jesus is understood to have been raised on the Sunday following the Friday of his crucifixion. The resurrection is to be distinguished both from resuscitation (restoration to the prior mode of human existence) and the immortality of the soul. Jesus' resurrection began the transformation and glorification of the whole cosmos, including the redeemed Christian community.” Jesus’ conquering of death allows all of us to have eternal life. This is why for Christians Easter is one of the holiest of days. We celebrate Jesus' resurrection especially on Easter Day, during the Easter Season, and every Sunday.
- 8:30 AM — Easter Service in English (Rite I) - Download the Bulletin
- 11:00 AM — Easter Service in English (Rite II) - Download the Bulletin - Join the Service Online
- 1:00 PM — Misa del Pascua en Español - Descargar el Boletín
- Cerca de las 2:15 PM - Búsqueda de huevos de Pascua inmediatamente después del servicio
