Holy Week
The culmination of the Church Year, we journey through the Passion of Christ beginning with Palm Sunday, moving to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and finally, Hallelujah! - Easter Sunday!
Scroll down to find a description of what we remember on each of these days as well as some ways you can celebrate at home.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. The procession with palms, which was already observed in Jerusalem in the fourth century, calls to mind the triumphal entry of Jesus, our Lord and King, into Jerusalem. The procession is an act of worship, witness, and devotion to our Lord. The purpose of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem was to fulfill his Father’s will; thus it is fitting that this service continues with the reading of the Passion Gospel in which the whole story of the Holy Week is anticipated. We who hail Jesus as King one moment, may in the next deny him, even joining with the crowd in shouting, “Crucify him!”
Invitations:
The Palm Sunday liturgy can be found in the BCP on page 554. You will need a Bible and palm branches. Simplify as needed if you have young children.
Go for a walk carrying your palms
If you have young children, read the story from your favorite story Bible. With chalk, draw a path of palms and coats leading to Jerusalem on your driveway or sidewalk. Encourage the kids imagine!
Meditate on Matthew 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-40 or John 12:12-15.
Wednesday Seder Meal
Our Eucharistic service every Sunday emerges from elements of the traditional Jewish Seder meal.
Jesus highlighted the “third cup” of the Seder meal and the unleavened bread as symbolic of the
redemption found in his body and blood. We celebrate the Seder every year during Holy Week to
reenact the final week of Jesus’s life and to breath historical life into our contemporary communion
service.
The Seder meal was the Jewish celebration of Passover. This meal celebrated the Israelite’s
deliverance from slavery in Egypt. As Christians, we celebrate the Seder meal so that we can
remember the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”! Many aspects of the Exodus
story serve as types for Christian sacraments. We remember Baptism in the crossing of the Red Sea
and the Eucharist through God’s provision of manna in the wilderness. We pray your family will have a rich experience through celebrating this important meal!
For more information you can check out the following. resources:
A detailed explanation of the Seder liturgy with Messianic explanations
Seder meal preparation tips on Chosen People Ministries
*To celebrate a Seder Meal you will need to plan ahead with shopping and meal preparations as well as take time to look over the leader's guide.
Here is a shopping & prep list.
Here is a leaders guide. The Leader Guide is setup with the liturgy on the left side of the page and the instructions on the right side of the page.
Here is a participant guide. Please have multiple participant guides handy based on your family size!
Maundy Thursday Foot Washing
Maundy Thursday receives its name from the mandatum (commandment) given by our Lord: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (JOHN 13:34). At the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and commanded them to love and serve one another as he had done. This day commemorates the Lord’s example of servant ministry, the institution of the Eucharist, the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal leading to the crucifixion.
Invitations
The Maundy Thursday liturgy is on page 560 of the BCP. You will need a Bible, a chair, a basin of water and a towel or two. You might want to have music ready to play during the foot washing.
Daily Readings can be found on page 744 of the BCP.
If you are alone for this liturgy, consider prepping a warm, fragrant foot soak for yourself and take time to imagine Jesus washing your feet.
Meditate on John 13:1-20
Good Friday
The Good Friday liturgy is the second part of the Triduum (the sacred three days). This most somber of all days is appropriately marked by fasting, abstinence, and penitence, leading us to focus on Jesus and the meaning of his Cross. Some churches do not use musical instruments or bells on this day. The church is often darkened. The bare, stark appearance of the church serves as a reminder of the solemnity and the sorrow of the day. The Lord of Life was rejected, mocked, scourged, and then put to death on the Cross. The faithful are reminded of the role which their own sin played in this suffering and agony, as Christ took all sin upon himself, in obedience to his Father’s will. By the Cross we are redeemed, set free from bondage to sin and death. The Cross is a sign of God’s never-ending love for us. It is a sign of life, in the midst of death.
Invitations:
The Good Friday liturgy is on page 565 of the BCP. Simplify as needed for young children.
Daily Readings can be found on page 744 of the BCP.
Walk through the Stations of the Cross created by All Saints friends this week!
Travel through the Stations of the Cross. If you have children, they might enjoy the tactile symbols we have assembled in the Holy Week @ Home resources.
Here is a complete guide we have used in the past approx. for ages 10&up. It takes about 45 minutes.
Here is a children's movie version for approx. ages 4&up. It is 10 min.
Build a resurrection garden out of things found in the yard or a park.
Turn off electric lights to remember the darkness that came upon the earth at Jesus' death. Use candles if you need light from Good Friday through Easter morning.
Holy Saturday
& The Great Easter Vigil
The Great Vigil, when observed, is the first liturgy of Easter Day. It is celebrated at a convenient time between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter morning. It is appropriate that the service begin in darkness. The liturgy normally consists of four parts:
The Service of Light: a new fire is kindled symbolizing Christ the light of the world. The Service of Lessons: key passages from Scripture recount the history of God’s mighty acts and promises. Holy Baptism or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.
The Holy Eucharist is the proper culmination of the Easter Liturgy. As we keep this holy feast, we share the joy of our Savior’s triumph and are strengthened by his grace to walk in newness of life.
Invitations:
A simple Holy Saturday liturgy is on page 578 of the BCP.
The Easter Vigil is found on page 582 of the BCP. Simplify as needed for children.
Daily Readings can be found on page 744 of the BCP.
Recount favorite Bible stories of God's faithfulness. Retell your own personal stories of God's faithfulness.
Renew your baptismal vows, page 194 of the BCP.
Practice silence for part or all of the day.
Easter Sunday
Hallelujah!
The Lord is Risen!
He is Risen, Indeed!
Today we celebrate Christ's victory over death! Visit the Easter page for more details.
Invitations:
Make "empty tomb" cookies on Saturday night, that will be ready for Easter day.
Wake up early and head outside to watch the sunrise from a good spot.
Daily Readings can be found on page 744 of the BCP.
Decorate your car for the First Ever All Saints Easter Car Parade! Use paper or fabric streamers, signs, balloons and window paint to deck your car with joy. We will meet at 11am (location TBD) and drive through the neighborhood celebrating. We are hoping to have a live stream of the Easter morning celebration for those of you who can't be there. See Slack for updates.
Plan for your Easter Season celebrations!