We have come to our second pandemic-bound journey to the cross. Though this time will, yet again, not be what we hoped…we know God will lead us on this path. You are invited to connect in various ways throughout these holy days. (The schedule is immediately below and details about each day follow the schedule.)
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 27
Palm Sunday Coat Drive & Holy Week Care Package pick up
2:00-5:00 pm at the Labyrinth
Sunday, March 28
Palm Sunday Worship
9:30 am Prayer Procession in our neighborhoods
10 :00 am Service of the Word on Facebook & website
Monday thru Wednesday of Holy Week
The Stations of the Cross
Meditation at home or at Peace, whenever you choose
The Great Three Days
Maundy Thursday Worship
6:30 pm – Dinner Church Communion on Zoom
7:00 pm – Service of the Word on Facebook & website
Good Friday Worship
7:00 pm – Service of the Passion on Facebook & website
Easter Vigil Worship
Readings released online hourly throughout the day
7:00 pm – Thanksgiving for Baptism & Holy Communion on Zoom
Easter Sunday
10:00 am – Festival Service of the Word on Facebook & website
7:00 pm – Contemplative Holy Communion – On the Road to Emmaus on Zoom
HOLY WEEK DETAILS
Saturday, March 27 – Palm Sunday Coat Drive & Holy Week Care Package pick up
2:00-5:00 pm at the Labyrinth
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, people spread branches…and even their coats and cloaks over the ground to honor his arrival. This year, we will collect coats for the Mobile Loaves and Fishes truck (especially compact, travel rain ponchos) to share with neighbors in need of protection from the elements…knowing that when we honor and care for one another, we honor and care for Christ in our midst.
You can also pick up a small care package for Holy Week during this time. If you can’t make it PLEASE let us know, and we will happily be sure to deliver one to you. We won’t be delivering to every single household this time like we did when Lent began…so please, please do feel free to let us know if we can bring your care package to you. We don’t want you to miss it if you want it!
Sunday, March 28 – Palm Sunday Worship
9:30 am Prayer Procession in our neighborhoods
10 :00 am Service of the Word on Facebook & website
While we can’t join a grand crowd to process this Palm Sunday, we invite you to take some time to pray for the church, the world, and all in need out in your neighborhood before Palm Sunday worship begins…a quieter procession…one that embodies the cry “Hosanna!” in a different way…because “hosanna” is a word that means “help” or “have mercy.” It is as much our our deepest yearning prayers as it is about parades. We will connect in our usual way for community worship at 10 am.
Monday thru Wednesday of Holy Week – The Stations of the Cross
You are invited to meditate on the Stations of the Cross as we prepare for the Great Three Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil. In your care package you will receive a booklet with new artwork for the stations of the cross, specifically for this pandemic season. This artwork will also be available outdoors on the Peace campus for you to walk and pray whenever you wish to come by. (Please be sure to wear a mask if others are present on campus at the same time as you.) You can meditate on this images at home or at church during these days.
The Great Three Days
Maundy Thursday Worship
6:30 pm – Dinner Church Communion on Zoom
7:00 pm – Service of the Word on Facebook & website
Instead of having communion following the Service of the Word, we will begin there. You are invited to connect via zoom with your communion elements as part of your dinner table. We will use a shortened pattern from our Lenten Wednesday worship services, and then will move to Facebook or this website for the service of the word.
At worship we will experience confession and forgiveness…and remember Christ’s last meal with his friends and his new commandment that they love and serve one another as he has done for them. As the service concludes we will hear Psalm 22…and you are invited to strip your home altar spaces…putting away the signs of God’s presence for a few days…as we prepare to journey with Jesus to the cross and to his death.
Good Friday Worship
7:00 pm – Service of the Passion on Facebook & website.
In a collaborative worship service with Holy Cross Lutheran Church, we will sing and pray as we hear the Passion of our Lord according to Mark…told to us by guest pastor, Rev. Phil Ruge-Jones. We will pray the ancient Bidding Prayer and the Solemn Reproaches…and we will leave the cross in darkness and silence.
Easter Vigil Worship
Readings released online hourly throughout the day
7:00 pm – Thanksgiving for Baptism & Holy Communion on zoom
As we keep vigil by Christ’s tomb…as the universe holds its breath…we tell the story of who we are…and who we have always been…to restore our heart and spirit in the face of death. Hourly, throughout the day readers from Peace & Holy Cross Lutheran will share the great stories of the People of God. You will find them on Facebook and our website. These readings will be shared in many ways – with drama, poetry, art…and even a bit of humor….We hope they will sustain you.
We will connect on zoom at 7:00 pm in the gathering darkness to remember the gift and promise of baptism and reject the power of death. As we proclaim Easter’s arrival, we will turn in celebration to Christ’s table as we share the meal of resurrected life with him. (And if you want to make it extra festive…you can bring champagne for communion!)
Easter Sunday
10:00 am – Festival Service of the Word on Facebook & website
7:00 pm – Contemplative Holy Communion – On the Road to Emmaus on Zoom
We gather in the bright light of Easter joy to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Sunday morning…with joyful songs and prayers. You can connect the way you do every Sunday morning. We will not have communion at the morning service.
In the evening, we will connect for a brief Communion liturgy on Zoom…reading the appointed text from Luke for Easter evening: The Road to Emmaus. We end our Easter nourished to reflect on how the news of the resurrection will turn our lives around and call us in new ways.