Holy Week: Finding Peace

(see dates/times below for specific services)
In this busy, over-scheduled world in which we live it is difficult to find times of reflection to feed our spirit and nourish our soul. Holy Week, our High Holy Days, are designed to help us discover that inner peace which we all so desperately need. While the services below seem like independent services and events, they are designed actually to build one upon another to lead us more deeply into the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

We enter into Holy Week with Palm Sunday and commemorate the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We gather in Phelps Hall for the blessing of the palms and process over into the church at both services. At the 10 a.m. service the procession will be led into the church by a bagpiper. The service will continue with the reading of the Passion and Holy Communion. At the end of the service all will leave the church in silence.

Monday offers the Stations of the Cross and Eucharist.

Tuesday is a quiet day of reflection. The church will be open all day for private devotions.

Wednesday is the service of shadows called Tenebrae as the readings take us into a journey of darkness. The evening culminates in a loud chaotic cacophony. The Pascal candle and the last bit of light in the church is removed to symbolize the chaos of the world without Christ.

Maundy Thursday
Thursday takes us into the drama of the Last Meal of Jesus with his disciples and the stripping of the altar. This year we will try on a new way to celebrate this feast. The liturgy committee realized that the meal before the service was both poorly attended, and no one brought soup for dinner so there was no food. This year we will gather for an agape (love) meal in the parish hall, featuring Fr. Ron’ roasted lamb and veggies. We will also offer another option for those adverse to lamb. It is important that you sign up for the meal, so we know how much lamb and other items to purchase. We will look for some desserts and hors d’oeuvres from parishioners. This is another example of letting something die a natural death and coming up with a creative alternative. We will begin with a social time where we can wash each others hands as a sign of the foot washing of Jesus. We will go right into dinner where Holy Eucharist will be offered right at our tables. We then will process to the church for the stripping of the altar and end with the burning outside of the branch we used for our mobiles last year.

Good Friday
During the day on Good Friday, our focus turns to children and families (see below), while in the evening we have a traditional Good Friday service.

Easter Sunday begins at dawn as the faith communities across Hebron gather at Gilead Congregational church. We continue with Easter services at St. Peter’s at 8 & 10 with four baptisms at 10 and choir and brass, ending with an egg hunt for the children.

So, while there are several events planned the drama is one motion that invites us to delve into the life of Jesus and in doing so to discover the peace that comes through the silence and reflection, we all so eagerly desire. This is a chance for all of us to Walk Together and discover our peace in Jesus Christ.

Schedule:

Sunday, April 14: 8 & 10 a.m. Palm Sunday: Service begins in Phelps Hall
Monday, April 15: 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross and Eucharist
Tuesday, April 16: Church open all day for reflection and prayer
Wednesday, April 17: 7:00 p.m. Tenebrae Service in the Church
Maundy Thursday, April 18, Agape Meal and Eucharist 6 p.m. in the parish hall. Be sure to sign up for the dinner so we know how much to prepare.

Good Friday, April 19, 2019, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
A walk-through Holy Week. This is specifically designed for families and children.

Family-Oriented Child-Centered Service, Lunch, Movie and Service Project

In these times children rarely have an opportunity to attend Holy Week services and experience the drama of the journey of Christ to the cross. We only let them see the joy of Easter. With that in mind we have created a special day at St. Peter’s on Good Friday that includes a family-oriented service, lunch, a movie and a craft/outreach activity that runs nearly the same time as the school day. We do so to expose children to the drama of Holy Week leading up to Easter. We also shape it as a day-long activity because Good Friday is one of the days children have off from school and parents/guardians have to work.

If you have children yourself and/or you have grandchildren or other children who have the day out of school and would enjoy this kind of day, I urge you to consider sending them to St. Peter’s in Hebron for Good Friday from 10 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

The only thing we ask is that we have an idea if your kids are coming so we have enough food, etc. We did this service/event last year and it was well received by the kids and families. Adults who want to attend are also welcome. This is a powerful way for all to enter into Holy Week and lead up to Easter Sunday. I hope you will join us.

Good Friday 7:00 p.m.: Traditional Good Friday Service at 7 pm

Easter Sunday 6:30 a.m.: Sunrise Service at Gilead Congregational Church

Easter Sunday -St. Peter’s church 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Eucharists with music at both services. Four children will be baptized at the 10:00 a.m. service. Following the 10 am service there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for all children in the parish.