Named for the branches the people laid on the road before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem for the culmination of his earthly ministry, this first day of Holy Week takes us on a liturgical journey from the hope of Jesus’ triumphant entry to the despair of his death five days later.
The 10:15 service begins in the courtyard. After the Saint James’ Episcopal School Choir sings a prelude, the congregation waving palm leaves as the procession makes its way forward, asking God to “Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life.” The SJES choir leads us in singing “All Glory, Laud and Honor” as we process into the church.
The 8 a.m. service also features a triumphant procession, from the back of the church.
Turning abruptly from the triumphal procession to the gravity of the coming days, the liturgy quickly reminds us that the altar for Jesus took the form of a cross, and we hear the poignant story of Jesus’ arrest and execution. As the story ends with Jesus’ body laid in a tomb, we pray “that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection.”
Nursery is available for young children during the 10:15 service, and all kids through fifth grade are invited to Children’s Church during the time between the procession and the peace.
This day is named for the “new commandment” (“mandatum novum” in Latin) that Jesus gives to his followers at the Passover meal on the night he was arrested: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” We hear as an example of that love how Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.
This is also the moment when Jesus institutes the Eucharist, telling his followers on that solemn night, “I am with you only a little longer,” but that “as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
This service includes the choir and the celebration of Holy Eucharist. After we break bread together, we acknowledge Christ’s impending death by stripping the altar. Finally, we silently depart with the reserve sacrament into the courtyard for a time of silent prayer and reflection — our Garden of Gethsemane — to pray and “stay awake” in solidarity with Christ.
On this day of Jesus’ crucifixion, a minister holding a simple cross leads a silent procession toward the bare altar as the congregation kneels in silent prayer. We stand symbolically with Jesus’ family watching as he was led to the cross and reflect on the lament of Psalm 22 — “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” — and take in the story of Jesus’ arrest, suffering and death.
At the 7 p.m. service, the choir and guest musicians illuminate this story through the music and words of Mozart’s “Requiem in D Minor” throughout the service as we reflect on the heaviness of this day. “You who absolved Mary Magdalene and called out to the thief — you have given hope to me as well,” the choir sings.
This is the only day during Holy Week in which Holy Eucharist is not celebrated. Instead, we leave the church after praying “to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death."
This is the culmination of the Christian story: that in the depths of darkness, “Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave.” The Great Vigil of Easter is the most profound service of the year, and harkens to the early Christian tradition in which baptismal candidates kept an all-night vigil until their baptism on Easter morning, thereby reflecting the truth that “we are buried with Christ by Baptism into his death, and raised with him to newness of life.”
The service begins in the courtyard around a small fire representing the hope of new light. As the service continues in the church by candlelight, we hear the story of creation, of the Israelites’ deliverance from the Egyptians and of Ezekiel’s vision of a multitude of dry bones receiving life. We renew our own baptismal vows in solidarity with those early Christians.
Then, the lights come on and bells sound as we proclaim in that moment of light overcoming darkness, “Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!” We then celebrate the first Holy Eucharist of Easter, proclaiming to the world, “by his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.”
In recognition of the end of Lent, a reception in the Parish Hall with sparkling wine, chocolate-covered strawberries and other treats will follow the service.
This is the morning when we find the tomb empty and proclaim the resurrection with joyful songs and a refrain of “Alleluia!” The service begins with children flowering the cross before it is brought to the chancel in recognition of the new life this day symbolizes. The choir and guest musicians will lead us in triumphant songs as we proclaim, “Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!” The 10:15 service uses the music of Joseph Haydn’s “Little Organ Mass” as the setting.
An Easter egg hunt for kids of all ages will follow each service, and nursery is available during the 10:15 service for young children.
73 Culpeper St, Warrenton, VA 20186
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