A monastic service used on the last three nights of Holy Week. The scripture foresees the death of Jesus, and the gradual extinguishing of candles indicates the apparent victory of the forces of evil. The single candle representing our Savior is momentarily hidden to emphasize this. A loud noise represents the earthquake at the resurrection, and once the candle is restored to its place, all leave silently.

Maundy Thursday - April 21
8:00pm  Proper Liturgy & Washing of Feet

A service commemorating the "Last Supper" of Jesus with his disciples, taking place at the Passover Seder.  At this Seder, Jesus again affirms the two great commandments: "Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind," and "Love your neighbor as yourself."  In the Gospel of John, he also performs another act: the washing of the disciples' feet, providing yet another great example of service to others.  Jesus then commands his disciples to serve others as he has been willing to serve them.  Jesus' command-the mandatum-is the source of the name "Maundy" Thursday.  The final acts- the Stripping of the Altar and the singing of Psalm 22-remind us of the conflicts of Jesus as he saw the events of his life's end unfolding.

A Vigil continues through the night in Bradley Chapel

Good Friday - April 22

8:00am   Mass of the Pre-Sanctified  (Bradley Chapel) 

Communion from  reserved Sacrament.

12:00pm Stations of the Cross

Prayer, short sermon, hymns and  music observing the journey of Christ to the cross.

With the First Reformed Church of Nyack.

8:00pm  Proper Liturgy & Veneration of the Cross

The story of the events of Good Friday with the Grace Church Choir.  A time to meditate and pray on this day when one may experience most fully the sacrifice of Jesus.

Holy Saturday-April 23 

8:00pm  Great Vigil of Easter & Baptism

Readings, prayers, first Easter Eucharist, and Renewal of Baptismal Vows. With congregations of St. John's Episcopal Church of New City, St. John's & Trinity Garnerville, and St. Paul's of Spring Valley.  Followed by a reception.

Easter  Sunday-April 24

8:00am   Holy Eucharist (Rite I)    

9:30am   Holy Eucharist (Rite II; Parish Choir, Joyful Noise Gospel Choir, & St. Cecilia Choir)   
 11:00am  Festal Eucharist (Rite II; Senior Choir)

PARISH FORUMS - between 9:30 and 11:00am services

April 17 - Easter Fair  following Way of the Savior 

Games*Crafts*Bake Sale & more!!!!

Organized by the Senior Youth Group to raise money for the CYSM trip to West Virginia.

WAY OF THE SAVIOR   Saturday, April 16 & Palm Sunday, April 17

TRAVELING TABLE

Starting this April, the Fellowship Commission invites everyone to join us at our "traveling table": through a variety of gatherings and activities, we hope to extend the idea of the "table" and invite people to find their place in new ways.  

This month, we will take an excursion to the NyackCenter on Wednesday, April 27 for Rivertown Film's screening of the inspiring film Today's Special and stay for a Q&A with the filmmakers.  The screening is at 8:00pm, but we can meet at 7:30 and take advantage of the great treats offered by the Rivertown Film cafe. Visit: todaysspecial.com  for more about the movie, and contact

MEDIEVAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL  Saturday, May 21

Calling all squires and ladies, join the Amazing Grace CIRCUS! for a Medieval Circus Festival on Saturday, May 21, 2011 from Noon - 6:00pm.  Don't miss this opportunity to see amazing feats, colorful costumes and fabulous stunts by young performers led by instructors from Big Apple Circus, Acrobrats Inc. and Lux Entertainment under the 150 year-old Gothic cathedral of Grace Church Nyack.  Rockland's own circus performers are sure to dazzle your eyes and inspire your imagination.  Special guest Ringmaster is Bishop Catherine Roskam. This family event offers interactive entertainment for everyone including comedy jousting, acrobats, aerialists, artisans, crafts, face painting, period music and food.  Tickets are available by calling (845) 348-8740 or sending an email to carlo@amazinggracecircus.org. Adults $35, Children $15 and youngsters under 3 are free.  Proceeds benefit the community outreach programs of Grace Church Nyack including services that feed and provide shelter to the homeless in Rockland and NYC and the safe youth and educational initiatives offered by Amazing Grace CIRCUS! For more information about the Amazing Grace CIRCUS!, and to buy tickets for the Medieval Circus Festival, please visit www.amazinggracecircus.org.

FELLOWSHIP  TO BEGIN SUMMER WITH A ZANY FARCE

The Comedy of Errors, believed to be one of Shakespeare's first plays, is a terrific choice for our thirteenth season attending The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival at Boscobel. This madcap comedy follows the misadventures of two sets of identical twins who were separated in their infancies and each grew up sharing the same names: Antipholus and Dromio. They find  themselves in the same town and much mayhem ensues over the course of just one day.  

It will be a rollicking good time and we invite you to join us for the 6:00pm performance on Sunday, June 26^.  When the box office opens, the Fellowship Commission will reserve 50 seats for our Grace Church family and friends. So mark your calendars now. Details will follow in the next Messenger and reservations will be accepted beginning in May.     Barbara Cross, Fellowship Commission