Holy Week

 Holy Week and Easter at St. Peter’s

Holy Week is meant to walk us through a very familiar story all over again. We are used to doing the same things in the same way year after year. Of course, that can't happen this year. Telling the same story in the same way simply isn't possible, and I fear that trying to pretend that we can will leave us all without that which we most deeply need, which is a real immersion in the last week, the death, and the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

So, we won't be doing the same things in this week to come. But we will be entering the story. Here is what you can look for as we approach Holy Week:

Palm Sunday - My original plan was to bless palms and have them available for you to pick up outside the church. With the latest "shelter in place" order from the mayor, I believe we can no longer do that. So, new plan: palms are very common in the Holy Land. Find a common leaf or shrub in your yard and place it on your door to remind you and those who live nearby that we are walking the way of the cross. You can watch our service of Morning Prayer below:

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in Holy Week - watch Fr. Quinn’s reflections below:

Maundy Thursday - On Maundy Thursday, as it is the day when Jesus gives us the new commandment -- to love one another. So, call a friend who is lonely, cheer up those who live in your home, or say special prayers for all who serve others in medical professions. Find a way to serve as we remember Christ the servant.

We are offering video reflections for everyone on Maundy Thursday. See Fr. Quinn’s reflection, and Mrs. Lauren’s Godly Play story, which is particularly appropriate for children:

Good Friday - We offered a digital Way of the Cross service. You can find the recording below. You can find the stations we used here.

Holy Saturday - Fr. Quinn offers a reflection on Holy Saturday below. For our Easter Vigil, We have drawn together this bulletin that you can use in your home to remember the night on which our Lord passed from death to life. The best experience of this offering will be with others. So, plan a time for your household to join together after sunset on Holy Saturday. If you live alone, find a friend or family member you can call or Zoom with to join in keeping vigil. If you'd like help connecting with someone in the parish, please let us know!

Easter Day - Mrs. Linda offers a Godly play story, and we will say Morning Prayer at 10:00 a.m. on our YouTube channel. Find both videos below. You can find the bulletin for Morning Prayer here.

May God bless you as we move into Holy Week and on to Easter joy.

Grace and Peace,

Fr. Quinn+