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Sunday,
March 16: Palm Sunday
The
Sunday of the Passion
7:45 a.m. Rite I
9:00 a.m. Rite II
11:15 a.m. Rite II
Wednesday,
March 19:
Holy Eucharist with Stations of the
Cross following 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
From
even the earliest of times, Christian pilgrims visited the Holy Land to see
the places Jesus lived and walked.
It was especially popular to follow the path Jesus took on the first
Good Friday. The pilgrims would stop for prayers at different places where special
events took place.
For
those who could not visit the Holy Land, a custom arose to set up Stations
along the Way of Sorrow, so that the faithful could make a spiritual
journey. Eventually, the Stations were formalized to the fourteen we now
use, in this simple, solemn, and powerful service.
Thursday,
March 20: Maundy Thursday
6:00 p.m.—The Last Supper/Holy
Eucharist with Children’s Homily
Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before
Easter, is the day when the disciples gathered for the Passover meal, and
that meal became known as the Last Supper. Given that, Maundy Thursday is
the perfect time to deepen
our appreciation and understanding of the meaning of Eucharist. Please join us at 6:00 p.m. for
this service of Eucharist and teaching.
7:30 p.m.—Liturgy for Maundy
Thursday with foot washing and stripping of the Altar
The
service at 7:30 p.m. includes the washing of feet. During the Last
Supper, as a sign of his love and service, Jesus wrapped a towel around his
waist, took a wash basin, and washed the feet of his disciples. It is therefore a custom on this day to
observe the ceremony of the washing of feet as a way of remembering our
Lord’s example. By custom, the
clergy and others in positions of leadership wash the feet of all those who
desire to take part in the service.
After
Holy Communion, the service transitions to the stripping of the altar
and preparation of the Altar of Repose.
“Could
you not watch with me one hour?” Jesus asked his disciples the night before
he was crucified.
After
the Last Supper, Jesus went with his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane,
and asked his disciples to stay with him and keep watch through the night,
as he contemplated the fact that soon he would be betrayed and handed over
to terrible suffering and death.
At
this point in the Maundy Thursday liturgy, therefore, it is the church’s
custom to make a visible transition to Good Friday – the most solemn day of
the year:
· All
decorative objects (lectern and pulpit hangings, cushions, etc.) are removed;
· All
Eucharistic vessels, candlesticks, flowers, and other adornments are
removed;
· All crosses
are veiled in black;
· The altar is
stripped;
· The altar is
washed with wine and water;
· An Altar of
Repose—a separate altar upon which the consecrated bread and wine from the
Eucharist are reserved for communion on Good Friday, reminiscent of the
Garden of Gethsemane—is prepared.
Because
there is no celebration of the Eucharist on Good Friday, a portion of the
consecrated bread and wine, along with the Sanctuary lamp, is then set
aside to the Altar of Repose.
Then begins
an all-night prayer vigil during which you are invited to keep watch
with fellow Christians around the world.
You are welcome to take part in the vigil, staying for as little or
as much time as you are able. The
vigil ends with the first service of Good Friday, at 6:30 a.m.
Friday,
March 21: Good Friday
6:30 a.m.—Liturgy for Good Friday
12:00 p.m. (noon) - 3:00 p.m.—The
Three Holy Hours with a guided meditation and silence
The
Three Holy Hours commemorate the hours (probably much longer than three)
that our Lord suffered on the cross. The service includes a liturgy of
readings, including the Passion, solemn collects, the Procession of the
Cross, the Veneration of the Cross, hymns, duets, meditative organ music,
guided meditations by clergy, and the Stations of the Cross. Throughout the service of the Three Holy
Hours, extended periods of silence are observed.
6:00 p.m.—Children’s Good Friday
Liturgy with Stations of the Cross
7:30 p.m.—Liturgy for Good Friday,
featuring sacred music of Good Friday and sermon.
Easter Sunday, March 23:
5:00 a.m.—The Great Vigil of Easter
with Baptisms
For
the Great Vigil of Easter, when we gather in the darkness of the
Parish Hall, we begin the liturgy with the lighting of a new fire and the
Pascal Candle. We process by candlelight to the Sanctuary for the reading
of salvation history, the chanting of the Exsultet, Baptisms, and the first
Eucharist of Easter Day itself. The
Great Vigil is followed by a festive reception.
7:30 a.m.—Festive Holy
Eucharist
9:00 a.m.—Festive Holy Eucharist
11:15 a.m.—Festive Holy Eucharist
St. James’
Episcopal Church
14 Cornwall Street NW
Leesburg, Virginia 20176-2801
(703)777-1124
info@stjamesleesburg.org
www.stjamesleesburg.org
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