Holy Week and Easter at St. John’s
During Holy Week (April 2-9), we follow Jesus from His arrival in Jerusalem to His rising from the grave. These are the events by which we are saved, and are the source of our hope. May God bless our St. John’s community as we journey to the cross and empty tomb!
Palm Sunday (April 2, 9:30 AM)
We celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We will begin worship in the Faith Chapel (weather permitting) and process with palm branches into the sanctuary. As the service continues, our attention shifts from the entry into Jerusalem to the upcoming Passion of our Lord, culminating in the cross.
The Gospel of the Passion will be read in dramatic narrative format. The Choraliers will be singing a Palm Sunday anthem as well as a choral benediction. This will be a communion service.
Maundy Thursday (April 6, 7:00 PM)
We join Jesus and His disciples in the upper room as they gather to celebrate the Passover. During the course of this meal, Jesus will transform the Passover to what we celebrate today as Holy Communion. The service will conclude with the “stripping of the altar,” a symbolic commemoration of Jesus’ humiliation on His way to the cross.
We will also be celebrating with nine young people who will be making their first communion.
Good Friday (April 7, 7:00 PM)
We celebrate the death of our Savior. This will be a Tenebrae service, the gradual darkening of the sanctuary as we anticipate Jesus’ death. We will journey with Jesus to the cross and tomb through readings from the Gospels, songs and hymns.
Easter Vigil (April 8, 8:00 PM)
We wait outside the tomb, waiting for the announcement of resurrection, reviewing the story of salvation from the creation to the resurrection. The service begins in the Faith Chapel with the service of light, and then processes into the sanctuary by candlelight. We conclude with the church fully lighted as we celebrate the resurrection.
Easter Sunday (April 9, 8:30 and 10:30 AM)
We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. There will be two communion services on Easter. The 8:30 service will be a traditional service in the Sanctuary with choir and organ. The 10:30 service will be in the Faith Chapel with the band.
Please note that only the 8:30 Easter service will be streamed.
The Easter Breakfast will be served in the Parish Hall beginning at 9:00 AM. There will also be an Easter Egg Hunt for the children between the service.