Holy Week & Easter Services

Posted on March 24th, 2022 in

From early times Christians have observed the week before Easter as a time of special devotion. As the pilgrim Egeria recorded in the late fourth century, Jerusalem contained many sacred places that were sites for devotion and liturgy. Numerous pilgrims to the holy city followed the path of Jesus in his last days. They formed processions, worshipped where Christ suffered and died, and venerated relics. From this beginning evolved the rites we observe today on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These services provide a liturgical experience of the last days of Jesus’ earthly life, as well as the time and events leading up to his resurrection. (Definition from The Episcopal Church Glossary).

All Services (except for the Holy Saturday Liturgy in the Chapel) can be watched on Facebook Live or on the front page of our website here.

Church Open for Individual Prayer During Holy Week

During Holy Week, the church and Memorial Garden will be open and available for quiet prayer and silent meditation. Below are the days and times the church will be open.

Palm Sunday Worship and Blessing of the Palms | Sunday, April 10 @ 10:00 a.m.

There are two options to join the Blessings for the Palms.

10:00 a.m. – Blessing of the Palms in Memorial Garden moving into the church (or)
10:00 a.m. – Join the Downtown Church Ministries for a short ecumenical blessing at Centenary Methodist Church (411 East Grace Street) and then regather at St. Paul’s for worship.

Service of Tenebrae | Wednesday, April 13 @ 7:00 p.m. | LIVESTREAM

Our experience of Jesus’ suffering is deepened in this service of “Shadows,” using traditional chants and expressions of lament from the Hebrew Scriptures, led by the gentlemen of the St. Paul’s Choir.

Maundy Thursday Service | Thursday, April 14 @ 7:00 p.m. | LIVESTREAM

Maundy Thursday’s service will include foot washing and stripping of the altar. This very beautiful and intimate service commemorates the night Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and administered the Last Supper. Featuring the St. Paul’s Choir.

Good Friday Service | Friday, April 15 @ 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. | 12:00 PM LIVESTREAM

We stand at the foot of Jesus’ cross to lament the suffering that violence produces and to receive again the promise of God’s undying love for us.

12:00 p.m. – Good Friday Service with reflections on the Last Words of Jesus offered by St. Paul’s clergy.
7:00 p.m. – The Stations of St. Paul’s. Join the community as we pray these unique prayer stations that mark 14 moments in the racial history of St. Paul’s. READ MORE about the development of this special liturgical art expression. In-person only

Holy Saturday Service | Saturday, April 16 @ 10:00 a.m. (in Chapel off of 9th Street)

A brief service of remembrance as we keep watch at the place of Jesus’ burial. In-person only

Great Vigil of Easter | Saturday, April 16 @ 8:00 p.m. | LIVESTREAM

After sunset, we huddle in the dark and look forward to the coming of Easter. We light the Pascal candle and hear again the stories of God’s continuing care for us. In the early church, this was the traditional time of Baptism for new converts, looking forward to their first celebration of the Eucharist on Easter morning. This service begins in the Memorial Garden with the lighting of the Great Fire of Easter, then moves indoors with readings, hymns, and the ushering in of Easter with a festive “Alleluia.” Featuring the St. Paul’s choir.

Easter Sunday | Sunday, April 17th @ 10:00 a.m. | LIVESTREAM

10:00 a.m. – Festive Eucharist with Brass and Choir
11:15 a.m. – Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Capitol Square – Bring your own basket and gather next to the Bell Tower on Capitol Square (near 9th and Franklin). The hunt is open to all – so be sure to bring friends and family. In case of inclement weather, the hunt will move inside St. Paul’s to the second floor of the Parish Building.

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Holy Week & Easter Services

Church Open for Individual Prayer During Holy Week