The day’s full name indicates its dual focus. The reading of the Passion Narrative (the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion) is preceded by the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The Liturgy of the Palms is the entrance rite but the Passion Gospel is the central focus. The euphoria and triumph of Jesus’ entry is short-lived and the tone of the day changes dramatically. We, who moments earlier, shouted “Hosanna” now cry “Crucify him! Crucify him!” The stage is set for the rest of the week.

At Bethesda, the service begins outside in the garth (weather permitting). Palms are blessed and distributed and we all process into the church singing the traditional Palm Sunday hymn All Glory, Laud, and Honor. As the gospel is announced, the customary responses are omitted. Throughout Lent, the Alleluias have been silenced and now there is not so much as a “Glory to you, Lord Christ.” A dramatic reading of the Passion takes place according to one of the synoptic gospels—Matthew, Mark, or Luke are read on a three-year cycle—with John always read on Good Friday.

Two ceremonial notes: palms are traditionally held during the reading of the Passion, and at the verse that mentions the arrival at Golgotha, the people stand. The rest of the liturgy follows as usual with the Great Thanksgiving and Holy Communion. It is still a Sunday and even though we have read the story of Christ’s death, we proclaim the resurrection through the Eucharist and recognize the living presence that still sustains the Church.

The Daily Office of Morning Prayer is offered at 8:30 a.m. in the chancel Monday through Thursday. This brief service of Scripture, canticles, and prayers serves as a spiritual anchor throughout the week.

We offer a service of Holy Eucharist at 12:05 p.m. on the first three weekdays of Holy Week. The Wednesday in Holy Week, traditionally known as Spy Wednesday, gets its name because this is the day on which Judas betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin. Because Judas is thought to be sneaky, his actions conjured up the image of a spy. A light lunch follows these three services in the Guild Room.

This service takes its name from the Latin word Mandatum, meaning “commandment.” At the Last Supper, Jesus gives the new commandment, “love one another as I have loved you.” The foot washing that takes place at this liturgy reminds us of the specificity of love. It also pushes against our natural inclinations. Like Peter, people are often hesitant to have their feet washed; it is uncomfortable and awkward. Yet it is important to allow others to serve us sometimes, as Christ offers to do for his disciples in the Upper Room and for us to serve others. Parishioners are welcome to have their feet washed during this service but it is certainly not a requirement. On a practical note, it is helpful to wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off to this liturgy.

This day also commemorates the institution of the Eucharist (i.e., Holy Communion/The Mass) at the Last Supper in the Upper Room as Jesus tells his followers to “do this in remembrance of me.” After Communion is celebrated and distributed, what remains, the Reserved Sacrament of bread and wine, is kept for use on Good Friday. It is placed at the Altar of Repose in the Chapel. As the altar is stripped bare, we are reminded that Christ’s crucifixion leaves a void in our church and in the world and we experience something of the disciples’ sorrow as their Lord was taken from them. Following the liturgy, parishioners are welcome to stay for The Watch in the chapel from 10:00 p.m. to midnight. A live stream of the chapel altar lasts until 8:00 a.m. on Good Friday, allowing all the opportunity to heed Jesus’ invitation in the Garden of Gethsemane to “watch with me for one hour.”

This day is both a day of mourning and triumph. Mourning because it is our sin that has crucified Christ but triumph because our Lord transforms the cross into the instrument of our salvation.

The Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday

On Good Friday, we offer the Liturgy of the Day in the morning (spoken service) and at noon (with the Choir).

The Opening Rite is primitive in its starkness. The church, stripped of its furnishings and adornment on Maundy Thursday, reflects the somber mood of a people whose Savior has been crucified. The clergy enter and all kneel for silent prayer before the opening acclamation and collect. By ancient tradition, The Passion according to St. John is read or sung on Good Friday.

The Solemn Collects, an extended form of intercession, take the place of the Prayers of the People. A large wooden cross is brought before the people and venerated — at Bethesda this is done either through our prayers or by physically approaching the cross and touching it, kissing it, or simply kneeling before it.

During the veneration of the cross, the Reproaches, an ancient text of Western Christendom, are sung by the Choir. Communion from the Reserved Sacrament, set aside on Maundy Thursday, is austere as it is administered in silence. The church is left in silence, bleak and bare as the empty tomb.

Stations of the Cross

The devotion known as the Way of the Cross, or Stations of the Cross, is an adaptation to local usage of a custom widely observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem: the offering of prayer at a series of places traditionally associated with our Lord’s passion and death. The number of stations, which at first varied widely, finally became fixed at fourteen. Of these, eight are based directly on events recorded in the Gospels. The remaining six (3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 13) are based on inferences from the gospels or pious legend. At Bethesda, we offer an opportunity to walk seven Stations outdoors around the church campus, beginning inside the church.

This is a day of both silence and intense activity. The liturgy of the day is simple and brief, with no music or celebration of the Eucharist, and its focus is the tomb. At Bethesda, as in almost every church, the silence quickly gives way to intense preparations. Good Friday leaves the church bare and empty. Within a few hours it is transformed with flowers, altar hangings, and candles so that the joy of Easter is proclaimed in beauty and splendor. Then after sundown, all is ready for the central liturgy of the year: The Easter Vigil.

THE RESURRECTION
The Great Vigil of Easter

This service is the most ancient of the Church’s liturgies. It is by far the most dramatic and moving service of the year as the movement from death and darkness to resurrection and light is powerfully told in word and action.

The service begins in a darkened church as a fire is kindled and blessed. The Paschal Candle, a symbol of the Light of Christ through his resurrection, is lit. The Paschal Candle leads everyone into the church and individual candles are lit. The Exsultet, the great hymn that calls on all of creation to rejoice, is sung and readings follow. These include the Creation story, and the liberation of Israel through the Red Sea, and the Valley of Dry Bones.

The liturgy continues with the blessing of the water at the baptismal font and the renewal of our baptismal vows. Through the water of Baptism we remember that we have died to sin and have been raised to new life in Jesus Christ; that we have “passed over” from darkness to light.

Then the central moment of the church year occurs: the announcement of the resurrection by the Celebrant with the words “Alleluia, Christ is Risen.” The people respond “The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia” and the veil of darkness is lifted, the Hallelujah Chorus is sung as the people are sprinkled with Holy Water, and the procession moves to the altar for the first Eucharist of Easter.

This day needs little comment. After the walk through Holy Week and its complicated rites, the Easter Eucharist is straightforward, distinctive only in the intensity of joy and hope in the readings, music, and the number of people present. We offer four services on Easter Day, including a sunrise service in the garden chapel. There will be hymns at 7:30 a.m., and then at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. we will celebrate with full choir, brass, and percussion. An Easter Egg Hunt for children will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.