Holy Week

The culmination of the Church Year, we journey through the Passion of Christ beginning with Palm Sunday, moving to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and finally, Hallelujah! - Easter Sunday!

Scroll down to find a description of what we remember on each of these days as well as some ways you can celebrate with All Saints and at home.

when & how is Holy Week celebrated?

Holy Week is the culmination of Lent - it starts on Palm Sunday and continues to the day of Easter. During Holy Week we remember the last week of Jesus' earthly life. At the end of this Lenten season of mostly quiet introspection, contemplation, fasting and charity, we move in a whiplash during Holy Week from devotion to betrayal, from triumph to apparent failure, into guilt, into despair. Then, on Easter, we break through darkness into resurrection hope as we celebrate Christ's victory over death!

For even more information, visit Holy Week: A Rookie Anglican Guide.

Questions to Ponder during Holy Week

Which of the characters in the Passion narrative do you identify with at this moment in your life: joyful welcomer? suspicious inquisitor? eager servant? quiet onlooker? accusatory crowd?
How does it affect you to hear that Christ came not to be served but to serve?
Where have you found joy amidst your suffering? What good was revealed to you by what you've suffered?
Do you have a "Holy Saturday" part to your life right now - areas of darkness, waiting, or lost hope? Talk with Christ about how you are experiencing this and make space to listen to how he might respond.
What does "eternal life" mean to you?

gather with all saints to celebarte Holy week

Palm Sunday Worship: March 24 @ 4pm in our sanctuary. Depending on the weather, please gather outside or in church basement to process into sanctuary with palms.

Maundy Thursday Service: Worship and Holy Eucharist @ 6pm in the sanctuary

Good Friday: Open house style Stations of the Cross and confessions between 10am -5pm with Good Friday service @ 6pm in the sanctuary

Holy Saturday: Noon prayer book liturgy at the chapel. Please park on 16th Street, the chapel is located in the building behind the house.

Easter Sunday Worship: Baptism and Eucharist celebration @ 4pm in our sanctuary! Alleluia!

palm sunday worship

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. The procession with palms, which was already observed in Jerusalem in the fourth century, calls to mind the triumphal entry of Jesus, our Lord and King, into Jerusalem. The procession is an act of worship, witness, and devotion to our Lord. The purpose of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem was to fulfill his Father’s will; thus it is fitting that this service continues with the reading of the Passion Gospel in which the whole story of the Holy Week is anticipated. We who hail Jesus as King one moment, may in the next deny him, even joining with the crowd in shouting, “Crucify him!”

Invitations:

Worship with All Saints on Sunday @ 4p
Go for a walk carrying your palms
If you have young children, read the story from your favorite story Bible. With chalk, draw a path of palms and coats leading to Jerusalem on your driveway or sidewalk. Encourage the kids imagine!
Meditate on Matthew 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-40 or John 12:12-15.

Readings:

Liturgy of the Palms

Mark 11:1–11a
Psalm 118:19–29

Liturgy of the Word

Isaiah 52:13–53:12
Psalm 22:1–21
Philippians 2:5–11
Mark 14:32–15:47

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, in your tender love for us you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and come to share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

maundy thursday

Maundy Thursday receives its name from the mandatum (commandment) given by our Lord: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (JOHN 13:34). At the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and commanded them to love and serve one another as he had done. This day commemorates the Lord’s example of servant ministry, the institution of the Eucharist, the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal leading to the crucifixion.

Invitations:

Worship with All Saints at 6pm at the Sanctuary
Meditate on John 13:1-20

Readings:

Exodus 12:1–14
Psalm 78:15–26
I Corinthians 11:23–34
John 13:1–15 or Luke 22:14–30

Collect:

Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

good friday

The Good Friday liturgy is the second part of the Triduum (the sacred three days, with Maundy Thursday and Holy Saturday). 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. Some churches do not use musical instruments or bells on this day. The church is often darkened. The bare, stark appearance of the church serves as a reminder of the solemnity and the sorrow of the day. The Lord of Life was rejected, mocked, scourged, and then put to death on the Cross. The faithful are reminded of the role which their own sin played in this suffering and agony, as Christ took all sin upon himself, in obedience to his Father’s will. By the Cross we are redeemed, set free from bondage to sin and death. The Cross is a sign of God’s never-ending love for us. It is a sign of life, in the midst of death.

Invitations:

Open house style Stations of the Cross between 10am-5pm with Good Friday service @ 6pm in the sanctuary
Clergy will be available to hear Confessions from 10am - 5pm at the sanctuary
Consider building a resurrection garden out of things found in the yard or a park.
Turn off electric lights to remember the darkness that came upon the earth at Jesus' death. Use candles if you need light from Good Friday through Easter morning.
Practice silence and/or fasting for part or all of the day.

Readings:

Genesis 22:1–18 or Isaiah 52:13–53:12
Psalm 22:1–21 or Psalm 40:1–16 or Psalm 69:1–22
Hebrews 10:1–25
John 18:1–19:37

Collect:

Almighty God, we beseech you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

holy saturday

On Holy Saturday, we remember the time that Christ spent in the grave. The day when his disciples were scattered, afraid, and confused. The day of darkness, despair, and lost hope. We are invited to practice living in the tension between the cross and the empty tomb.

Invitations:

Join All Saints for the Holy Saturday liturgy at noon at our chapel.
A simple Holy Saturday liturgy is on page 578 of the BCP.
Meditate on Psalm 88.
Practice silence and/or fasting for part or all of the day.
Make "empty tomb" cookies on Saturday night, that will be ready for Easter day.

Readings:

Job 14:1–17
Psalm 130 or Psalm 88 or Psalm 31:1–6
I Peter 4:1–8
Matthew 27:57–66 or John 19:38–42

Collect:

O God of the living, on this day your Son our Savior descended to the place of the dead: Look with kindness on all of us who wait in hope for liberation from the corruption of sin and death, and give us a share in the glory of the children of God; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

The Easter Vigil

The Great Vigil, when observed, is the first liturgy of Easter Day. It is celebrated between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter morning. It is appropriate that the service begin in darkness. The liturgy normally consists of four parts:

The Service of Light: a new fire is kindled symbolizing Christ the light of the world. The Service of Lessons: key passages from Scripture recount the history of God’s mighty acts and promises. Holy Baptism or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.

The Holy Eucharist is the proper culmination of the Easter Liturgy. As we keep this holy feast, we share the joy of our Savior’s triumph and are strengthened by his grace to walk in newness of life.

Invitations:

Read through the Easter Vigil found on page 582 of the BCP. Simplify as needed for children.
Recount favorite Bible stories of God's faithfulness. Retell your own personal stories of God's faithfulness.
Renew your baptismal vows, page 194 of the BCP.

easter sunday

Hallelujah!

The Lord is Risen!

He is Risen, Indeed!

Today we celebrate Christ's victory over death! Visit the Easter page for more details.

Invitations:

Make "empty tomb" cookies on Saturday night, that will be ready for Easter day.
Wake up early and head outside to watch the sunrise from a good spot.
Dress up and attend worship & baptism with All Saints! The service will be in the Sanctuary at 4pm EST
Prepare and enjoy a feast!
- We'll have a potluck of appetizers and dessert after the service
Plan for your Easter Season celebrations!