Palm Sunday - Holy Week Begins

Dear Friends,

This Sunday we begin our observance of Holy Week. For nearly two-thousand years Christians have gathered themselves to remember and celebrate the events leading up to our Lord's passion, his death, and then his glorious resurrection.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday: The Sunday of the Passion. It has two names because it's really two services. Outside we remember our Lord's triumphal entry into Jerusalem with the palm branches and the people's praises, inside we hear the story of his arrest, trial, and crucifixion as a criminal. That movement -- from praise to sin -- is not meant to give us whiplash, but it's a reminder that we too can be as fickle as the crowd that cried "Hosanna" and "Crucify him" in the same week! It's a wonderful, powerful service. Ending with the crucifixion gives us a Sunday-to-Sunday connection with Easter story of the empty tomb next week.

But in between we have the services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (see the "Upcoming" section for the schedule of services). These services unpack the days and hours leading up to Jesus death.

I get that that functionally these services are like "bonus material" – the "director's cut" of Holy Week or something. But I'd gently suggest the "director" is God here, so the full Holy Week cut is pretty good.

I also know that I have never heard from anyone who made the decision to participate in all the Holy Week services who didn't find the experience incredibly powerful and enriching of their Easter joy.

"The Watch"

From the end of the Maundy Thursday service (about 8:15 pm to the beginning of the first Good Friday service, about 11:15 am), we have "The Watch." The Watch commemorates Jesus' taking his disciples into the garden at Gethsemane after dinner before he was arrested, and asking them to watch with him just one hour while he prayed. We build a garden indoors at St. Andrew's, have Jesus there in the form of the consecrated bread and wine, and take turns being with him for one hour. Unlike the disciples, we don't fall asleep.

Simply put, this is an hour (or more, if you sign up for multiple spots) to spend in the presence of God. Some people read (we'll have books and suggested devotions for those who want them), some people pray, some people just be with Jesus. And some people have their life profoundly changed. This is a powerful, moving, and (especially depending on what time you go) sacrificial devotional act. You can sign up for a particular hour online (we'll also be sure to always have someone here so no one is alone in the building, even if you're the only one signed up for a particular slot).

I'm looking forward to a wonderful and moving Holy Week with you, whether you're online or in-person.

In Christ,
Fr. Andrew