When the prolific theologian, Karl Barth, was asked to sum up his work into a single sentence, he replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” As Christians, we believe that God said what God needed to say in one word—the Word made flesh, Jesus. Our faith is most succinctly expressed in a three day period called the Triduum. The Triduum begins on Maundy Thursday. Jesus gives us a new commandment (Mandatum) “to love one another as he has loved us.” We celebrate Jesus’ institution of the Holy Eucharist in which Jesus invites us to take bread, bless, break and eat it in remembrance of his body given for us, and to drink wine, blessed, and poured out as a sign of his blood shed for us. This meal of thanksgiving unites us in worship, prayer, and praise, and gives us strength and solace to do the the work God has given unto do. On Good Friday, we stand at the foot of the cross, confess our sins, and remember that Jesus willingly submitted himself to an agonizing death as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. On Easter, we sing alleluia , and marvel at the power of the resurrection, and rejoice that Jesus gives us hope and new life. Please join us for the observance of the Triduum in person, via an Eventbrite reservation, or online. Invite your neighbors too.
Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m. — Holy Eucharist and the Stripping of the Altar
Good Friday, 12:00 p.m. — The Liturgy for Good Friday
Easter Day, 8:00 a.m. — Spoken Eucharist, 9:15 a.m. — Choral Eucharist, 11:00 a.m. — Choral Eucharist
It is appropriate that as we get ready to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we can also experience the resurrection of some pre-Covid rhythms of our common life. We will return to in-person services on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. beginning on Sunday, April 11. You will still be asked to wear a mask, and there will be a temperature check at the door. The good news is that we can accommodate up to 80 people at each service. Christian Formation will remain on Zoom, and I encourage other meetings to remain on Zoom as well. We will gradually re-introduce in-person meetings and activities as appropriate. For the time being, we cannot serve any beverages or food, so Coffee Hour will not immediately resume. Baby steps will mark our return to normal.
I pray that you can join us on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m. for an outdoor Eucharist followed by a catered Parish Picnic at Long Leaf Park. Have a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter!
Be kind to one another. Pray often. Keep the faith!
Peace,
Ray