Palm Sunday 2025 and Holy Week

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, April 13

At the service on this day we distribute palms which are blessed. The palms symbolize Our Lord’s

triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and the opening of the liturgy is quite joyous: Blessed is the one who

comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! We carry these palms in joyful procession as we

follow Jesus in the way that leads to eternal life. Once in the church, there is a shift as cries of “Hosanna”

will suddenly change to “crucify!” The Passion narrative is read and the congregation takes part. This

liturgy points us toward new life.

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to

take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility:

Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus

Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

8:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms (Labyrinth) & Holy Eucharist, Nave

10:30 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms (Labyrinth) & Holy Eucharist, Nave (incense will be used) Livestream to YouTube

6:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist, Shalom Chapel6:30 p.m. Monday in Holy Week, March 25

Grief Ritual, Brooks Room

7:30 p.m. Daily Evening Prayer: Rite Two will include praying the Anglican Rosary followed by

Contemplative Prayer. Rosaries will be provided. The Shalom Chapel

Tuesday in Holy Week, April 15

6:30 p.m. Artists Stations of the Cross including Artists’ Reflections

Join us for an artistic journey to the cross. The Way of the Cross service will be enhanced by the words

and experiences of those who created our artistic interpretations. This service includes the traditional

Way of the Cross and artist’s responses.

Wednesday in Holy Week, April 16

7:30 p.m. Tenebrae with Compline Choir, Nave (incense will be used) & Livestream to YouTube

The name Tenebrae (the Latin word for “darkness” or “shadow”) has for centuries been applied to the

ancient monastic night and early morning services (Matins and Lauds) of the last three days of Holy

Week, which in medieval times came to be celebrated on the preceding evening. Along with the reading

of scripture, the most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and

other lights in the church until only a single candle, considered a symbol of Christ, remains. Toward the

end of the service this candle is hidden, symbolizing the apparent victory of the forces of evil. At the

very end, a loud noise is made, symbolizing the earthquake at the time of the resurrection, the hidden

candle is restored to its place, and by its light all depart in silence.

Maundy Thursday, April 17

7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Liturgy (with Foot Washing, Stripping the Altar, Reserving the

Sacrament, and Washing the Altar), Nave (incense will be used) & Livestream to Youtube

The word “Maundy” comes from a Latin word meaning “commandment.” The evening of Maundy

Thursday is the beginning of three days in Holy Week known by the Latin title, “triduum

sacrum” (Sacred or Holy Three Days). During this service we remember Jesus’ institution of Holy

Communion and his command to “Do this in remembrance of me.” The gospel reading will recall Jesus’

washing of the disciples’ feet, and this act of Jesus is repeated by the congregation. Experiencing this

action of mutual service and love for one another is often a profoundly moving experience.

9:00 p.m. Garden of Repose: A Vigil before the Blessed Sacrament, Shalom Chapel & Livestream to Youtube

The practice of keeping watch with our Lord can be traced to Christ’s appeal to His disciples in the

garden of Gethsemane on the eve of the crucifixion: “Could you not watch one hour with me?” By

keeping an hour of vigil with the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar of Repose, we can answer Jesus with

an emphatic “yes,” knowing that we are in the presence of the same Jesus, now veiled in the form of

bread and wine, as were the disciples who witnessed His resurrection. The vigil begins at 9:00 p.m. on

Maundy Thursday, and continues overnight until 8:00 a.m. on Good Friday. You are invited to sign-up

and go to our Youtube channel for prayer or at any time that is convenient for you.

Good Friday, April 18

6:00 p.m. Children/Youth/Family Service, Warden’s Hall

This special service is open to all and designed to meet our families where they are. Come join us!

7:30 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy, Nave & Livestream to YouTube

In the Episcopal Church, Good Friday is one of the days in the Church calendar set aside for “special

acts of discipline and self-denial.” Traditionally this means a day of fasting and church attendance. On

this solemn day we remember that Jesus was “obedient unto death” and do not celebrate the Eucharist.

Instead, Holy Communion will be administered from the reserved Sacrament.

The Good Friday Offering

Traditionally the Good Friday offering in all Episcopal congregations is designated for ministries of the

Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has encouraged

congregations to contribute to the Good Friday offering or you may place your offering in the basket

located in the inner narthex.

Holy Saturday, April 19

9:00 a.m. Holy Saturday Liturgy, Nave

The Saturday after Good Friday recalls the day when the Christ’s body lay in the tomb of Joseph of

Arimathea. In the Episcopal Church there is no Eucharist on Holy Saturday. The Book of Common

Prayer provides a simple liturgy of the word with collect and readings for the Holy Saturday service.

The funeral anthem “In the midst of life” (BCP, p. 492) is used. In the ancient church, those preparing for

baptism and perhaps others continued the fast they began on Good Friday. Holy Saturday ends at

sunset. Fasting and other preparations end at sunset or with the Easter Vigil, which begins the

celebration of Easter.

9:30 a.m. Children’s Activity, Outside

Meet at Sophie’s Garden located to the right of the entrance driveway. The story of Sophie will be

remembered as we re-plant the garden. Then we will dye Easter eggs and conclude by hanging the Alleluia banner in the outer Narthex.