Holy Week & Easter
at St. Nicholas

2015

My dear friends,

No other time of the Church year can compare to this particular season: the mysteries and solemnity of Holy Week and the glory and triumph of Easter powerfully overwhelm us. And, there is no better way to celebrate these sacred times and be embraced with said blessings than as a community at worship, together, as one.

It is my sincerest hope that we all examine, closely and carefully, that which is of such great importance: our relationship with Jesus the Christ. This is my hope and it is my invitation to each and all, that we gather, remember, celebrate, mourn and ultimately rejoice in this most wonderful of stories. That we engage in the life of the Church as we participate in the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus our Most Holy Redeemer.

I look forward to spending time with you in prayer and in rejoicing, in song and in silence. St. Nicholas Church has room for many...let us fill our worship space and, together, raise a most holy noise.

Sincerely,

Your brother in Christ
Fr. Manny Borg
Vicar
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church

We'll soon gather to begin a week of ancient worship liturgies (services) that enable us to share in the last days of Jesus' earthly life.

We hope you'll join us as we walk this journey. We are a story-telling people. Through our stories we remember, we share, we build community, and we enable the re-telling of our shared history.

During Holy Week, we tell the stories within the context of our communal worship. We journey together, not alone.

Come and share in the re-telling of the Story.

Palm Sunday Liturgy
Sunday, March 29
10:00 a.m.

Please note there will be no Saturday 4:30 liturgy on March 28, so that we all may experience Palm Sunday together.

Maundy Thursday Liturgy
Thursday, April 2
7:00 p.m.

This evening marks the beginning of the

Triduum (three days). Tonight we begin a celebration that will not end until the exultant conclusion of the Great Vigil of Easter.

We hear the story of Jesus' sharing of himself with us, and his ultimate sacrifice of love. In washing the hands of our neighbors, as Jesus once washed the feet of his followers, we are reminded that we are called to love one another.

Good Friday Liturgy
Friday, April 3
7:00 p.m.

When we return on Good Friday, we hear about Jesus' betrayal, capture and trial. We hear of his humiliation, his interrogation. We are reminded that the night, for him, was long and lonely.
During the liturgy we reverence the Cross because Jesus' death was, paradoxically, the moment of his triumph.

Blessing of Easter Food
Saturday, April 4
12:00 Noon in the Church

Come and experience this ancient tradition. Bring some of the food you'll serve on Easter Sunday and have it blessed. There are prayers of blessing for all kinds of food and drink. In Holy Saturdays past, some have even brought Easter Baskets that the Easter Bunny dropped off early!

All are welcome.

The Great Vigil of Easter
Saturday, April 4
8:00 p.m.

No other service in our shared experience is as full of the heritage of our faith; no other time in the year do we gather together all of the richest metaphors and symbols of faith. We gather outside around a new fire, itself a sign of creation renewed. From it we light the paschal candle to illumine our way. As the pillar of fire led the people of Israel in the wilderness, so the paschal candle will lead us to Easter -- the light of Christ our beacon. One by one, we proclaim and hear the stories of our faith. We recall our ancestors and God's saving work among us throughout the ages -- creation from a Word, the earth washed clean in the flood, the deliverance at the Red Sea, dry bones given life again. At our font we remember our own welcome into the community of faith, and we are reminded that at this font we welcome others into our faith. Finally, we hear again that death has been defeated. He is risen!

Please note: there is no 4:30 liturgy on this day.

Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 5
10:00 a.m.

Come and share the Good News of Jesus' resurrection with this community of faith. Let it transform you. Let it give you hope. Let it give you strength. Most importantly, let it remind you to give hope to others. Let it remind you to be light for the world.

Rumor has it that the Easter Bunny will be paying a special visit to St. Nicholas after this service. While the children wait, they can enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt in true St. Nicholas style!