Holy Week and Easter at Christ Episcopal Church
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
HOLY WEEK and EASTER
at CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Holy Week is when the foundational story of Christianity – Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection – is remembered and retold, both in words and in ritual actions, at services throughout the week. We gather together as a community of faith to journey with Jesus to Jerusalem, to stand with him before his accusers, to walk to Golgotha, and to stand at the foot of his cross. Finally, on Easter Sunday, we will joyously celebrate the resurrection of Christ, lifting our voices in praise of the hope that is ours and the world’s.
Join us for all of it, if you can, remembering that without the journey of Holy Week, Easter loses its deep meaning.
Yours in faith,
Christ Episcopal Church
Tenebrae
Wednesday, April 16
7 p.m. in New Brick
As Jesus draws ever closer to the events of Good Friday, the church readies itself by reading the service of Tenebrae, taken from the monastic tradition. In this Wednesday evening service, a candelabrum with candles is used, and one by one, the candles are extinguished until the only light remaining symbolizes the light of Christ. This light is taken and hidden momentarily, as Christ was laid in the tomb. Then, as a loud noise resembling that of the earthquake is heard, the light is returned to its stand, and the congregation departs in silence.
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 17
5 p.m. Seder meal in the Great Hall
7 p.m. Eucharist in New Brick
Overnight Vigil in Old Brick
On this evening of Maundy Thursday, we gather to remember the Last Supper of our Lord and the Institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We hear and remember the words of Jesus as he states, “Do this in remembrance of me.” As the service concludes, the altar is stripped of all of its appointments, so the focus of all can be upon the cross alone on Good Friday, the following day. We then hear of the Agony in the Garden as Jesus is arrested. The Vigil then takes place through the night in response to our Lord’s question: “Could you not watch with me for one hour?”
Seder Meal
The Christian observance of the Seder meal celebrates our tradition of Christ's last supper. On Maundy Thursday, we hold a communal supper before our service in New Brick.
"Stay with Me a While" Vigil
Our Vigil takes place in beautiful Old Brick, and you can sign up for any available time slots between 8:00 p.m. Thursday and 12:00 noon on Friday. Email us for the sign-up link.
Good Friday
Friday, April 18
12 noon and 7 p.m. in New Brick
Christians throughout the world recall Good Friday as the day upon which Jesus died. As it remembers the great sinfulness of man, it also points to the glory and love of God. It is most somber in its offering and includes the Veneration of the Cross, another ancient custom of the Church. A plain wooden cross is carried into the church and is held before us. The congregation is then invited to come forward in reverence of the cross - by touching the wood, a simple bow, a genuflection, or the act of kissing the wood of the cross.
The noonday service lasts one hour and draws our attention to the extraordinary love that God has for each of us in giving His son to die on the cross. The evening service is slightly longer, as we also receive communion from the Sacrament Reserved, as church tradition prohibits the celebration of the Eucharist on this day.
Holy Saturday
Saturday, April 19
Easter Vigil and Eucharist, The Lighting of the New Fire, and Baptism
7:00 p.m. in New Brick
As the church awaits the glory of the resurrection, Holy Saturday is a day of preparation. As the sun sets, bringing with it the end of the Lenten season, one of the most beautiful services of the entire church year is held. We begin in utter darkness, signifying Christ in the tomb, and then a new fire is lit & blessed, and with it, the Paschal Candle symbolizing Christ. Then, within that light, lessons are read which remind us of God’s desire for man’s salvation. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism focuses on the priesthood of all believers, and then we celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter. The darkness is now full light!
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 20
8:00 a.m. in Old Brick
9:00 and 11:00 a.m. in New Brick
We have now reached Easter Day – a day of joy, celebration, and the gift of life to God’s people. There are three services, and you are welcome to be with us at any of these.
The 8:00 worship is in historic Old Brick and is without musical accompaniment. At the 9:00 and 11:00 services, a full choir and procession with all the rituals appointed for the day help us celebrate and express our joy. At all three, the Easter sermon is given, and the glory of the day radiates from our worship into the community.
Celebrations on this day include the annual Easter Egg Hunt and the Flowering of the Cross. These are beloved celebrations for the youngest among us, and the rest of us ensure a safe and fun time for all. Please be sure to bring any cut flowers you might have, plus your basket or bag for the egg hunt!
Look Right... Look Left...
Search High and Low!
After the 9 a.m. Easter Sunday Family Worship, the younger members of our parish can gather downstairs in the Great Hall for the Christ Church Easter Egg Hunt, a fun-filled activity where everyone comes out with treasure!
You're also welcome to join us for egg decorating on Saturday, April 19th, at 10 a.m. Parishioners are invited to donate a dozen or so freshly hard-boiled eggs, if you can, and stay for the fun part - we'll all decorate eggs in preparation for the next morning's festivities!
Give Thanks by Donating Towards
Easter Altar Flowers
Easter is a time that we honor, remember, or give thanks for someone or a blessing in our lives by donating flowers to adorn our worship spaces as we celebrate our risen Lord.
If you would like to present Altar gifts this Easter, you can find our online Easter Offering form at https://onrealm.org/christchurchcolumbia/-/form/give/lenteaster. Be sure to place the dedication name(s) in the MEMO line. You can also drop your donation in the plate on Sunday or to the Church Office during the week; please include the same dedication information on the MEMO line of a check.
Email the Church Office with any questions.