Holy Week (NOT) at St. Cross (continued)

Last week I wrote about the deep connection that comes from walking through the Holy Week services. I know your lives are busy AND I hope and pray that you make time for this season of prayer and reflection as we walk toward the cross and the joy of resurrection.

Early Christian communities remembered all these gospel stories by going to the places where they took place. Their liturgies kept them on the move. They would read lessons and pray in the cemetery then go to the church then go to the garden and then to the civic plaza. This year we are living into that tradition in a small way by taking our faith and spirituality and cross crossing the South Bay to join with other Christian’s in the community to remember reflect and celebrate the gospel message. As you have heard us say, we are not holding all of the Holy Week services AT St. Cross. We are joining with Christ Church Redondo Beach, St. Andrews Torrance, and St. Francis Palos Verdes for our services. Different clergy will be leading and preaching different services. For the next two weeks in the weekly email we will be outlining WHAT and WHERE each service is as we move through the crucifixion to resurrection.

Why attend any or all of the Holy Week services? It may seem like a lot to get to services mid-week and to want to just have the joy of Easter. Walking with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, to Pontius Pilate, to Calvary and the cross is a part of our faith. As clergy are fond of saying, there is no resurrection without death. Experience the full emotion of our faith by attending the services as outlined below. If you cannot make all of them, do what you can. If you have never been to Holy Week services, pick one (or more) to attend, and see how it helps draw you deeper into the Easter message.

GOOD FRIDAY, Mar. 29, 12-3pm at St. Francis Palos Verdes

We are doing a different Good Friday service this year. It will be a three hour service with several spoken meditations on the last words of Christ. Each meditation is followed by a series of prayers. YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY ALL THREE HOURS, but you are welcome to! You may enter and exit at the end of each section of the service (about 25 minutes each). The labyrinth will in a nearby area of the St. Francis campus, where you will be able to walk the labyrinth before or after you enter the service. Come for as many meditations as you like. All of the clergy will be giving a meditation.

GOOD FRIDAY, Mar 29, 7pm at Christ Church

Veneration of the Cross: process, prayer and meditation on the cross.

THE GREAT EASTER VIGIL, Saturday March 30 at St. Francis

Perhaps the most profound service of the Christian year. It is a service that is steeped in the history of our being, and the mystery of the church. We will bless and light our new paschal candles for each congregation. There will be readings that tell the history of our faith, music that will stir your soul, we will celebrate the resurrection moment and celebrate Eucharist together in this Easter moment. Rev. Josh will be preaching

EASTER SUNDAY AT ST. CROSS 8AM AND 10AM

We will see you here for our festive services with a joyful brass quintet, your favorite Easter hymns, Rev. Rachel preaching, and an Easter Egg hunt after each service. We cannot wait to celebrate Jesus' resurrection with you and your family. We look forward to seeing you on this most festive of Sundays.