Holy Week

8 a.m. Spoken Holy Eucharist
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist

For the 10 a.m. service, everyone will gather at the front doors on Hackett for the Liturgy of the Palms. We will again have a donkey for our Palm Procession. If you would like to spend time with the donkey, come a little early! The procession will begin at 10 a.m. We will walk with Jesus as he enters Jerusalem, singing “Hosanna to the King of Kings!” We will process around the block ending back at the front doors. Palm Sunday moves into the story of Jesus’ Passion on the cross, read in parts by members of St. Mark’s.

6 p.m. Holy Eucharist & Footwashing
8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Keeping the Watch

The most stunning service of the Christian year, Maundy Thursday begins with readings and a homily, followed by foot washing, a beautiful Eucharist, the Stripping of the Altar, and then Keeping the Watch in the Chapel.

One of the ancient traditions in our Holy Week observance is Keeping the Watch. After the Stripping of the Altar, the priest sets aside some of the bread and wine and lays it in The Chapel of the Bread of Life. The Chapel will have been decorated to recall the Garden of Gethsemane — imagine candlelight, fragrant flowers, and flowering trees. During the night between Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, parishioners are invited to sit for an hour with Jesus — our response to Jesus’ question to the disciples, “Can you not stay awake with me for one hour?” We call this vigil Setting the Watch. There are always two slots because we want people to watch in at least pairs. It’s a rich and meaningful tradition, and I hope you’ll consider signing up for a shift as a part of your Holy Week journey with Christ. If you need the door code to get in at nighttime, contact the office.

Sign up for Setting the Watch here.

12–2 p.m. Individual Prayer/Stations of the Cross
6 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy

The Sanctuary will be open from noon until 2 p.m. for private devotions or the Stations of the Cross. Canon Scott Leannah will be present in the church for the two hours, and he will lead people through the Stations at 12:15 p.m. You are welcome to come at any time from noon to 2 p.m. to walk the stations on your own. We have a printed guide available. We will observe our full, choral Good Friday Liturgy at 6 p.m. that evening. The evening Liturgy includes the Solemn Collects and the Veneration of the Cross.

On Good Friday, The Episcopal Church takes up an offering for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, an expression of unity with and concern for those who witness to Christ throughout that region. You can learn more about the Good Friday Offering here. If you wish to give a gift to the Good Friday Offering, you may donate through the Good Friday Offering website directly or write a check to St. Mark’s with “Good Friday Offering” on the memo line. Any online donations through the St. Mark’s giving portal designated to “Holiday Services” on Good Friday will go to the Good Friday Offering.

8 p.m. Easter Vigil

The Vigil is one of the most important services in the Christian tradition. We’ll hear foundational stories from the faith, light the paschal candle, and transition from the darkness of Good Friday to the celebration of Easter. Come commemorate the resurrection of Christ, a resurrection realized through Christ made manifest in each of us.

8 & 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist
11 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt and Photos

Celebrate the Risen Christ with the great stories of our faith and the most worshipful songs of our tradition. At the 10 a.m. service, we will welcome guest musicians as well as our wonderful choir to help lead us in the holiest morning of the Christian year.

He is Risen! In addition to the triumph of God over sin, this also means it’s time for Easter fun. We’ll have the annual Easter Egg Hunt ready to go. In addition, returning this year is a photo opportunity for families and anyone in their Easter best as we will have a festive Easter backdrop for special photo-taking. Let’s celebrate!