Holy Weeek | Trinity Ashland

Palm Sunday at Trinity
The Palm Sunday 10 a.m. service on March 29, begins on the Trinity Labyrinth at the corner of 2nd Street and Lithia Way. (There is also an 8 am service that begins outside the door of the church at the 8 a.m. early service.) We hear the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and bless palm fronds to carry in procession. Upon entering the church, the focus of the service shifts to the Passion story, which we present in a dramatic reading. But because this is a Sunday, we place the remembrance of Christ’s suffering and death in the larger context of God’s mighty acts of love, concluding the service with the celebration of Holy Communion. It is traditional to keep the palm fronds from this day until Shrove Tuesday the following year, when they are burned for the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday. Some will choose to fold their fronds into palm crosses, and instruction for those who need it will be available in the Parish Hall after church.
The following week is Holy Week and the services of Holy Week form a single great liturgy. Their meaning and power is cumulative, bringing participants deep into contemplation of the mystery of Christ’s passion and resurrection. That said, even if it only possible to attend one of these services, each highlights a particular aspect of the great Christian drama of redemption.

Maundy Thursday Service at Trinity
Maundy Thursday: April 2, at 7 p.m. This service begins the Great Three Days, the Church’s Passover feast of liberation from the powers of sin and death. Tonight we commemorate Jesus’ last supper with his disciples and his new commandment to love as he loves. We celebrate the signs he gave them to confirm this teaching: washing one another’s feet as he washed theirs; blessing and sharing the bread and wine that he told them would be his body and blood. Participation in the foot-washing is optional. If you wish to receive washing of feet, please remember to wear shoes and socks that are easy to remove. Those who participate will have the opportunity to wash another’s feet after their own have been, but if you are unable to kneel to perform this service, or prefer not to, ministers will be standing by to do it for you. This was also the night in which one of Jesus’ disciples betrayed him, and so we conclude this service with the solemn stripping of the altar, and by reserving bread and wine for our communion on Good Friday. We will depart the church in darkness and silence. Some will return throughout the night to keep quiet vigil with the reserved sacrament, as Jesus waited and watched in the Garden of Gethsemane. You can sign up for an hour or more of the vigil on the sheet in the narthex.
The services of the Holy Week form a single great liturgy. Their meaning and power is cumulative, bringing participants deep into contemplation of the mystery of Christ’s passion and resurrection. That said, even if it only possible to attend one of these services, each highlights a particular aspect of the great Christian drama of redemption.

Good Friday Service at Trinity
On April 3 at 12 p.m., the liturgy of this solemn fast coincides with the hour of Jesus’ crucifixion, and includes readings and a sermon, chanting of the Passion Gospel according to John, the traditional Solemn Collects, the Veneration of the Cross and communion from the reserved sacrament. We arrive and depart in silence for this service.
The services of the Holy Week form a single great liturgy. Their meaning and power is cumulative, bringing participants deep into contemplation of the mystery of Christ’s passion and resurrection. That said, even if it only possible to attend one of these services, each highlights a particular aspect of the great Christian drama of redemption.

The Great Vigil of Easter

The Easter Vigil on April 4 at 8 p.m. is the climax of the Christian year, which begins after sundown on Holy Saturday with the lighting of the new fire in the parish courtyard, and the procession of the Paschal candle into the dark church. A candlelit service follows, with readings from the Hebrew Bible recounting our journey from creation in the image of God, through the loss of freedom and innocence, to the promise of a new redeemed humanity in eternal loving relationship with God and the whole world. This story comes to life in person among us as we celebrate Holy Baptism, followed by the proclamation of Christ’s resurrection and the first Eucharist of Easter. Incense will be used at this service.
The services of the Holy Week form a single great liturgy. Their meaning and power is cumulative, bringing participants deep into contemplation of the mystery of Christ’s passion and resurrection. That said, even if it only possible to attend one of these services, each highlights a particular aspect of the great Christian drama of redemption.

Easter Sunday Services at Trinity
The Day of Resurrection rings with joyous music of choir, organ, and brass at both 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services on April 5, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Join us for a festive reception in the Parish Hall and Easter Egg Hunt for children at 11:30 a.m. Bring flowers from a shop or from your garden to adorn the flowery cross. Visitors expected.
The services of the Holy Week form a single great liturgy. Their meaning and power is cumulative, bringing participants deep into contemplation of the mystery of Christ’s passion and resurrection. That said, even if it only possible to attend one of these services, each highlights a particular aspect of the great Christian drama of redemption.