Holy Week at St. John’s

 Holy Week at St. John’s

Holy Week is the most sacred time of the Christian year, and the liturgies for this week are some of the richest, most ancient, and most interesting. We strongly encourage you to prioritize Church attendance during this week

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you will be amazed how much richer and more meaningful Easter celebrations will be when you have attended one or more services during the week.

Palm Sunday (

March 29 at 8am, 9am, 10am)

Palm Sunday is a moving and dramatic service

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Holy Week in miniature, beginning with a celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the crowds proclaim him king and ending with a reading of the story of Jesus’ arrest, abandonment, and crucifixion followed by silence. All services will include a procession with palms; the 10am service

will begin on the terrace between the Church and Offices.

After the procession at the 10am service, there will be Sunday School for children.

Maundy Thursday

Agape Meal

(April 2 at 6pm)

This service invites us to remember Jesus’ Last supper as we celebrate

the Eucharist together in the form of a simple shared meal in the Parish Hall.

Our meal will include prayers, readings from scripture, singing, and reflection on the story of Jesus' last meal with his disciples. The meal is followed by a service of footwashing in imitation of Jesus, and a prayerful procession into the church for the beginning of the all-night altar watch. Please RSVP to the church office

byMonday, March 30

All-Night Altar Watch

(April 2)

3 Thursday night to Friday morning)In an effort to respond to Jesus' invitation to the disciples to "watch with me one hour,” we keep the Church open all

night for prayer and meditation. The Altar Watch begins at the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday service, and ends just before the Good Friday service. Look for the sign up board in the back of the church on Sundays.

Good Friday Service

(April 3 at Noon)

The service of Good Friday begins at noon and lasts for one hour. It includes readings and hymns, prayers, and the veneration of the Cross. Following the service, the Church remains open until 5pm for individual prayer and

meditation. We provide a booklet with reflections based on the Stations of the Cross. Children are welcome at all our services.

Good Friday

Evening

Labyrinth Walk

(April 3 at 8pm)

Pray, reflect, and enter the mystery of Holy Week as we walk the labyrinth together. Our Music Director, Dr. Lenore Alford will play

meditative piano music by Philip Glass.

The Great Vigil of Easter

(April 4 at 7pm)

In this ancient service, the darkness of Good Friday is transformed in to the fire of Resurrection, and we proclaim the risen Christ. Children are welcome. The service is the climax of the Church year, with baptisms, darkness and candlelight, along with prayers and music unique to this special night.

Easter Sunday

(April 5at 8am, 9am, and 10am)

Children are welcome at all three services: 8am, 9am, and 10am. The 9am Family Service happens in the parish hall, with some special Easter additions. The 10am service includes Nursery Care for children age 0 to preK, but no

Sunday School. Please bring a flower to the service to add to the Resurrection Cross!