March 31, 2010

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

We have begun the most solemn week of the church's year that commemorates the death and resurrection of Christ. Please join us for these special services:

Wednesday in Holy Week: Taizé Holy Eucharist at 6:15 pm — includes the beautiful music developed at the Monastery of Taizé in France. The Tenebrae Service at 7:00 pm ("tenebrae" is Latin for shadows) recreates the emotional aspects of the passion story through Scripture readings and the extinguishing of candles.

Maundy Thursday: The Liturgy of the Lord's Supper at 6:30 pm recalls Christ's last supper with his disciples when he gave them the gift of the Holy Eucharist. The Journeys candidates who are preparing for baptism and confirmation will wash the feet of all who wish to come forward for this sign of service to one another and the larger community. At 8:00 pm the youth of the parish will begin "Night Watch" that will continue through Friday morning.

Good Friday: The Way of the Cross is presented at 8:30 am. At 7:00 pm, we will celebrate the Solemn Liturgy that includes the singing of the Passion, the reproaches, and holy communion.

Holy Saturday: The Great Vigil of Easter at 7:00 pm begins outside with the lighting of the new fire. The paschal candle is lit from the new fire and carried into the darkened church as we sing "Light of Christ." Candles are lit for the congregation symbolizing that the light of Christ overcomes the darkness of sin and ignorance. We listen to readings that tell the story of the liberation of the Israelites and the promise of a covenant for all peoples. Bells are rung as we sing the Gloria proclaiming the resurrection of Christ. At this service three adults and four children will be baptized. This is followed by the confirmation of six adults and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Our celebrant and preacher will be Bishop Barbara C. Harris, retired suffragan bishop of Massachusetts who is the first woman elected bishop in the world-wide Anglican communion.

Easter Day: At 9:00 am, our Schola Youth Choir and our Adult Choir will lead us in the celebration of the Lord's Resurrection at the Festal Holy Eucharist. At 11:00 am, the Adult Choir will present the magnificent music of Easter at the Solemn Festal Holy Eucharist celebrated at the high altar.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR EASTER SUNDAY

The reading from Isaiah expresses God's promise of renewal: "I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress ... They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD. (Isaiah 65:17-25)

Psalm 118 proclaims God's victory over death: "There is a sound of exultation and victory in the tents of the righteous: 'The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! the right hand of the LORD is exalted! the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!' I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD has punished me sorely, but he did not hand me over to death ... The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD'S doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. On this day the LORD has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

The reading from Corinthians expresses Paul's faith in the resurrection: "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:19-26)

The Gospel of Luke tells of the story of the first Easter: "On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.' Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened." (Luke 24:1-12)

Please join us for our worship services during Holy Week and Easter. May the blessings of the risen Christ fill your life this holy season.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

Worship Services for

The Great Vigil, Saturday, April 3, 7:00 pm: Preacher: Bishop Barbara C. Harris
Easter Day, Sunday, April 4, at 9:00 am: Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Easter Day, Sunday, April 4, at 11:00 am: Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian

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