The Triduum Sacrum, Latin for “the three most holy days” — Maundy Thursday evening through Easter — constitute the definitive core of the Christian church year. We gather as Christians around the world in celebrating the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Our remembering is more than a retracing of the last days of Jesus’ life. Rather, throughout these Three Days, through word, sacrament, prayer and ritual, we participate in the saving power of Jesus’ Passover from death to life. As the Three Days begin, we are invited to glory in the cross of Christ — our salvation, our life, our resurrection.
April 2 – Maundy Thursday Eucharist
We remember Jesus’ command to love one another, his washing of feet, his last supper and his arrest. This begins our Triduum — The Three Days. The liturgy begins at 7:30 p.m.
April 3 – Good Friday Tre Ore
This ancient liturgy is in seven parts, during the traditional last three hours of Jesus’ crucifixion. The liturgy (noon-3:00 p.m.) allows for coming-and-going between parts. Guest preachers offer meditations on each of the traditional seven words from the cross.
Noon – Pastor Jon Burnham (St. John’s Presbyterian Church)
12:30 p.m. – Pastor Matthew Vandagriff (Willow Meadows Baptist Church)
12:55 p.m. – Pastor Raymond LeBlanc (retired Lutheran pastor)
1:20 p.m. – Pastor Taylor Fuerst (Westbury United Methodist Church)
1:50 p.m. – Mr. J. Stephen Sandifer (Southwest Central Church of Christ)
2:15 p.m. – Vicar Gena Davis (Grace Episcopal Church)
2:35 p.m. – Pastor Edward Schlachtenhaufen (retired Lutheran pastor)
April 3 – Good Friday Prayer Around the Cross
Our Triduum observance continues Good Friday evening with a quiet, moving liturgy around the cross. The liturgy continues, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
April 4 – The Great Vigil of Easter
This begins the climax of The Three Days. The celebration starts outside and is followed by multimedia scripture readings, remembrance of Baptism and our first Eucharist of Easter. The liturgy continues, beginning at 7:30 p.m. After the Vigil, a joyous Easter celebration and champagne reception is in the Fellowship Hall.
April 5 – Easter Morning
Our grandest worship of the year — music, proclamation and Eucharist at 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord.
Between the Eucharists, our festive Easter Brunch is in the Parish Hall with serving beginning at 8:45 a.m. A children’s program including an Easter Egg hunt for small children begins the Garden Room at 10:00 a.m.
