Advent and Christmas @ St John's
Advent
The Advent Season consists of the four Sundays before Christmas. In the Episcopal Church this is a season of preparation and anticipation. The focus however is not on getting ready for Christmas. You will not hear Christmas Carols during this season. Advent begins the church year and prepares us for Christ's Second Coming. The color for the season is a deep blue--indicative of the dawn
Christmas Season
The Christmas Season consists of the twelve days between ChristmasEve and Epiphany (January 6th). Our principal service is a Candlight Eucharist on Christmas Eve, usually at 7PM. We offer a brief meditative serive of Christmas Day, usually at 10:30 am for those who wish to celebrate Chistmas on the day. On the Sunday after Christmas we offer the service of Lessons and Carols. Our children do a Christmas Pageant each year to help us celebrate the season.
Holy Week and Easter @ St John’s
Palm Sunday
On this day we remember Jesus entry in Jerusalem and the beginning of his Passion. The service begins outside (weather permitting) in our back yard with the blessing of palms and procession to the front doors of the church. The Holy Eucharist follows concluding with the reading of the Passion Gospel
The Triduum
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Vigil of Easter
One service over three nights
On Maundy Thursday we remember the Last supper and Jesus call to service as he washes the disciple feet and his gift of the Eucharist. “Do this in remembrance of me”
This evening we celebrate a simple reflective eucharist beginning with the lighting of the festival lights and foot washing. We conclude with the stripping of the altar.
On Good Friday we climb Calvary hill, we listen to the taunts, we witness human cruelty. Jesus remember me!
This evening’s service is reflective as we read the St John’s Passion, listen to the Reproaches and pray solemn prayers for the church and the world. We receive the final eucharist from reserved sacrament. Our tabernacle is empty as we reflect on a world without Jesus.
The Great Vigil is a service of contrasts. It is the oldest service done continually since the fourth century in this format. This is the night! We remember that Jesus descended to the dead so all might rise to glory!
As the sun sets the church gathers to remember it’s Passover story—passing over from death to life. We begin outside (weather permitting) to light the new fire. Led by the light of Christ we enter the church to listen to the story of salvation by candle light. We proclaim the Easter Gospel and listen to the Easter Sermon of St John Chrysostom. We renew our baptismal vows and celebrate the first eucharist of Easter.
The Day of Resurrection-Easter @ 10:30 AM
