Holy Week and Easter
at Christ Church
408 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California
www.christchurchrb.org
310.540-1722
Passion Sunday (March 16) marks the beginning of Holy Week. There is a dual nature for the liturgy of this day. It begins with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and shouts of "hosanna" to our King. These hosannas change to "crucify him, crucify him", as the Passion is narrated and proclaimed. The service begins in triumph and celebration and ends in silence. The liturgical color for this day and the following Holy Week is red, a symbol of God’s life that is poured out for us in the death of Jesus. (Services at 8 AM and 10 AM begin in the parish hall)
Monday in Holy Week (March 17) we gather for evening prayer in the church. There will be times of quiet reflection while musical portions of Handel’s Messiah are played in the background. (7 PM in the church)
Tuesday in Holy Week (March 18) we gather for evening prayer in the church. There will be times of quiet reflection while musical portions of Handel’s Messiah are played in the background. (7 PM in the church)
Tenebrae (March 19) comes from the Latin word for shadow or darkness as is a service that consists of psalms, readings from the Book of Lamentations, and responses from the offices of Matins and Lauds for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
Lighting is gradually reduced throughout the service. Initially 15 candles are lit and are placed on a special stand known as a hearse, which are extinguished one by one after each lesson. The last candle is hidden beneath the altar, ending the service in total darkness. The service will include a strepitus (Latin for "great noise"). The great noise is usually generated by slamming a book closed, banging a hymnal or breviary against the pew, or stomping on the floor, symbolizing the earthquake that followed Christ's death. This custom seems to have originated as a simple signal to depart in silence. Following the great noise a single candle, which had been hidden from view is returned to the top of the hearse. It is felt that the single candle signifies the return of Christ to the world with the Resurrection. (7 PM in the church)
Maundy Thursday (March 20) is the traditional English name for the Thursday proceeding Easter. This evening service is a celebration that commemorates Christ's institution of the Eucharist. Traditions on this day include a blessing of the holy oils, an evening Eucharist, the emptying of the tabernacle where the reserved Sacrament is kept, and the stripping of the altar.
Also, the traditional foot-washing ceremony is observed where we wash each other’s feet. The story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples is found in John and depicts the reversal of the expected master/disciple relationship. The disciples experience being served in order to learn how to serve. This liturgy gives us a chance to reflect on the spiritual process of being served and in turn, serving others. Those who choose may participate in the foot washing ceremony.
At the close of this service the reserved Sacrament is moved to the chapel for the service on Good Friday. Following removal of the reserved Sacrament, members of the Altar Guild strip the altar and the sanctuary is left bare and empty. The celebrant and people depart in silence. Those who wish may keep watch for a period of time.
(7 PM in the church)
Good Friday (March 21) is the final day of worship before our Easter Sunday celebrations of the resurrection. It is a powerful service of scripture describing the events leading up to the death of Jesus, the veneration of the cross, and the reception of communion from the reserve sacrament. At the conclusion of the evening service, the church is closed and left in darkness symbolizing the experience of the first disciples who were left in darkness at the death of Jesus. (10 AM and 7 PM in the church)
From 12:00 NOON until 3:00 PM, the church will remain open for anyone who wants to come in and rest and pray. The church bell will be rung and a spoken prayer and brief meditation will be offered at Noon, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
by the tree of the cross you have saved the world.
EASTER SERVICES (March 23, 2008)
The Easter Vigil (5:30 AM) is the earliest celebration of the resurrection of Christ that we celebrate at Christ Church. We will light the new Pascal candle from fresh fire kindled in the garden in front of the cross and then sing, “The Light of Christ! Thanks be to God!” as we process into the parish hall for prayers and the traditional readings that celebrate and record salvation history. We will also renew our baptismal vows and be sprinkled with Holy water. The service includes sermon and Holy Eucharist.
Easter Holy Eucharist (8:00 AM and 10:00 AM) offers the liturgy for resurrection Sunday that includes Easter hymns, a sermon, and Holy Communion. Child care is provided at both services and a special Easter Egg hunt follows immediately after the 10:00 AM service.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord has risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
