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Come Walk With Us

 

St. Stephen’s invites you to join us as we experience the mystery and meaning of Holy Week.  We begin on Palm Sunday by celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem only to find out how quickly the tables turn in a dramatic reading of The Passion narrative by members of our community. 

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Join us for a Midday Eucharist in-person or online Monday through Thursday.

On Wednesday in Holy Week we will offer a special service of Tenebrae.  

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Our journey continues with the Triduum or The Great Three Days, each with its own special and unique service.   We remember Jesus’ call to love and serve one another on Maundy Thursday, commemorate the crucifixion on Good Friday and honor the history of God’s active presence in the world at The Great Vigil of Easter on Holy Saturday.  Everything culminates with our festive celebration of the resurrection on Easter morning with Easter Egg hunts following both services for the little ones!

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You can find service bulletins for livestreamed services on our homepage. Child care will be provided at 10AM on Palm Sunday, at all midday services and at both services on Easter Sunday.

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We look forward to sharing a rich and powerful Holy Week here at St. Stephen’s and hope you will join us. You can find detailed information below.

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Palm Sunday

 

Join us Sunday morning, March 24, 2024 at 7:45 AM and 10 AM PT in-person or live on Facebook at 10AM as we begin our observance of Holy Week on Palm Sunday by celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem with the ceremonial Blessing of the Palms. However, we will soon realize how quickly the tables turn through a dramatic reading of The Passion narrative by members of our community.  

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Midday Eucharist

 

Join us in-person or on facebook at 12:30PM PT Monday through Thursday of Holy Week for a simple service of Holy Eucharist as we walk the holy steps of this sacred journey together as a community of faith. Childcare will be available.

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Tenebrae

 

Our journey through Holy Week continues on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 7 PM PT with a service of Tenebrae.

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The name Tenebrae (the Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows”) has for centuries been applied to the ancient monastic night and early morning services of the last three days of Holy Week, which in medieval times came to be celebrated on the preceding evenings.  As we meditate on Christ’s journey to the cross in scripture and song one by one the candles and other lights in the church will be extinguished until only a single candle, considered a symbol of Jesus Christ remains until at toward the end of the service even this candle is hidden, which signifies the apparent victory of the forces of evil. A sudden loud noise is made at the end of the service, symbolizing the earthquake at Christ's death. The lighted candle is then restored to its place, suggesting Christ's eventual triumph. Childcare will be available.

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Maundy Thursday

 

Join us Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 7 PM PT in-person or live on Facebook as we begin our observance of The Triduum with Maundy Thursday.  This is an intimate service where we commemorate the institution of Holy Eucharist at the last supper and Jesus’ command to love one another with the memorial foot washing concluding with the moving Stripping of the Altar.  For those who wish to spend time in meditation on these events you can sign up for The Watch that will begin immediately following this service and run until Noon on Good Friday.  There will be also be an 90 minute virtual vigil broadcast from the Altar of Repose in the Chapel for those who wish to join online. Childcare will be available.

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Good Friday

Gather with us Friday, March 29, 2024 at 12:30 PM in-person only and 7 PM PT in-person or live on Facebook at 7PM to commemorate the tragedy of the crucifixion and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus’ own life given for us as we take time to grieve his death.  Childcare will be available at both services.

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Easter Vigil

 

On Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 7 PM PT we invite you to join us live or on facebook for The Great Vigil of Easter.  This stirring service starts with the lighting of the new fire out in the courtyard.  We then move into the church by candlelight to hear the stories of God’s active presence in the world and renew our baptismal vows before joyously proclaiming the resurrection with music, the ringing of bells (seriously-grab a bell!) and the celebration of the first Eucharist of the Easter Season!  For many, this powerful and dynamic service is a highlight of the Holy Week experience. 

 

Easter Sunday

 

Join us on Easter Sunday morning, March 31, 2024, 2023 at 9 AM and 11 AM PT in-person or live on Facebook at 11AM! as we celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death by raising our voices in song and praise with a festival service where we get to bask in the glow of the resurrection and share in the immeasurable joy that Easter brings. Childcare will be available.

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Whoever you are, come as you are. The Episcopal Church welcomes you, especially here at St. Stephen’s.

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