PASSION WEEK AT ST. STEPHEN
by Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
It’s Holy Week once again at St. Stephen. I always feel like Holy Week is a very unique and special experience at this church. We begin the week with the annual Donkey Procession on the Lawn that opens the 11:00 Palm/Passion Sunday service, with family activities afterward. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we have special noon lunch presentations by Beth, Warner, and our new interim organist/choir director Chris in the Eastminster Room.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
On Thursday, we remember the Last Supper with three Maundy Thursday services, at noon, 5:30, and 7:00 pm. Many were concerned that since we missed the noon Ash Wednesday service, that other noon services might be cancelled. I can assure you, this past Ash Wednesday was a special case because we were short-staffed; no other noon services, including next year’s Ash Wednesday, will be cancelled! We know these services are important to you, and also a wonderful service to the community. We always have visitors at noon services.
I also want to encourage you to attend Morning Prayers at 7:00 on Maundy Thursday. Our Morning Prayer service is a long-standing and beautiful tradition. It’s followed by breakfast and fellowship in the Parish Hall.
The Thursday noon service takes place in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity (in the education building, immediately to your left as you enter through the doors under the covered walkway to the sanctuary building). The service includes scripture readings, music, and the Lord’s Supper. It’s followed by lunch in the Eastminster Room.
The Thursday 5:30 service is oriented to families with young children and takes place in the main sanctuary. it is followed by a dinner in the Parish Hall and our 7:00 pm traditional service, again in the main sanctuary, with the choir, the Lord’s Supper, worship leadership by the Rev. Dr. Warner Bailey, and the Stripping of the Sanctuary in preparation for the death of Jesus.
GOOD FRIDAY
St. Stephen’s Good Friday service is deeply moving. It starts at 12:15 with emotionally powerful music and singing and a dramatic reading of the Gospel of John’s account of Jesus’ Last Supper, arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It’s followed by lunch in the Parish Hall.
EASTER VIGIL
St. Stephen’s Easter Vigil begins at 6:00 pm Friday evening and continues until after midnight Sunday, Easter Morning. People remain in the church in prayer throughout the weekend, with special programs open to the public every three hours or so. It is beautiful and creative, and operates in a flexible way allowing you to attend certain short–15-30 minutes–events as you have time on Friday evening and Saturday.
EASTER DAY
Easter Day begins with our annual Sunrise Celebration with the Youth from 7:3-8:15. This year it is in the Parish Hall. Both our regular 8:30 and 11:00 am services will celebrate the Lord’s Supper with music by our organist and choir joined by brass quintet and timpani, with worship leadership by the Rev. Dr. Ritsch. For the kids, there are an Easter Egg hunt and the annual release of the butterflies!
I hope you can join us for all these events, and that they draw you into a deeper awareness of the meaning, wonder, and joy of the Resurrection!