A New Guide to Holy Week
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church
A Guide for Holy Week and Easter 2020
Creating a “St. Pat’s Altar” in your home
Recognizing that your home is already a sacred space, and that we do not have any access to our usual church building, designating a special focus spot for family prayer and worship can help bring context and meaning to your devotions during this “exile.” A room, a corner, a stand, a table, or even a cushion on the floor might be the spot. Use a special cloth or cover of some kind to identify the space.
Gather several symbols for use during Holy Week services:
Palm Sunday: A live green branch
Maundy Thursday: 1) A small loaf or piece of unleavened bread 2) A glass of wine or sparkling grape juice 3) A bowl of water and a towel, and/or a container of body lotion
Good Friday: A Cross
Great Vigil: A Candle and bells
Easter Sunday: A flower, packet of seeds, or picture of a loved one
Children, including adults, may want to help decorate the space with drawings, favorite figurines, stuffed animals, and icons. However, keep it simple and elegant. You are being sent a packet of service bulletins to use as you wish with your prayers for our community.
+ You are invited +
….to join this year’s celebration of Holy Week and Easter, including *Collaborative services for Friday and Saturday with St. James, Old Town and St. John’s, Bangor.
Maundy Thursday April 9, 6pm
Agape Meal, Foot Washing, Stripping of the Altar
Live streamed at www.stpatsbrewer.org or www.facebook.com/stpatsbrewer Overnight Prayer Watch immediately following Hosted by St. James, Old Town via Zoom Check your email for a link to participate in the prayer watch. To sign up for a prayer time slot, please contact Peggy Day at peggy.day71@gmail.com.
Good Friday April 10, 6pm
The Way of the Cross
Hosted by St. John’s, Bangor via Zoom Check your email for a link to participate.
Holy Saturday April 11, 7:30pm
Easter Vigil Fire, New Light, and the Story of our Faith
Live streamed at www.stpatsbrewer.org or www.facebook.com/stpatsbrewer
Sunday April 12 at 11:15am
Festival Celebration of Easter Pre-service Zoom Brunch gathering Hosted by St. Pat’s, Brewer via Zoom. Check your email for a link to participate. + Celebration of the Risen Lord with people from around the world at our National Cathedral in Washington.
Prayers during the Pandemic
May we who are merely inconvenienced, Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home, Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close, Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home, Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, Let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, Let us find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen. (Author: Cameron Bellm, Seattle, WA)
O God, in our global distress we pray earnestly to you.
God our Sanctuary, gather us when separated into your presence.
God our Physician, heal those who have contracted the virus. God our Comforter, embrace all who mourn the dead.
God our Homeland, mother all who are quarantined.
God our Friend, accompany all who are alone or afraid.
God our Guardian, protect physicians and nurses.
God our Hope, assist researchers searching for a vaccine.
God our Mighty Fortress, preserve our societies from devastation.
God our Governor, guide the leaders of nations toward wise policies.
God of Everlasting Arms, in you we live and move and have our being.
God our Creator, make once again a world of Sabbath rest.
God our Savior, redeem the suffering world by your cross.
God our Light, shine your radiant peace into our darkness.
O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and preserve us. Amen.
(Author: Gail Ramshaw)
