8:00 am Holy Communion (with distribution of palms and reading of the Passion according to Matthew)

10:15 am Holy Communion (with distribution of palms, hymns, choir, organ, and trumpet) - The double title of Palm Sunday in the Book of Common Prayer, “The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday,” well describes the liturgy of the day. The Liturgy of the Palms, with its triumphal procession, modulates into a penitential Eucharist dominated by the solemn proclamation of the Passion Gospel. The liturgy begins on the Front Circle, where the people gather and set out in procession into the church, carrying the palm branches in celebration of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Nursery Care: The Nursery on the lower level will be available for ages infant through 4 years old from 8:30 am to 11:45 am. All staff are vaccinated and boosted.

The Rev. Molly F. James, Ph.D, serves as interim General Convention executive officer, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Rev. Michael Barlowe. She previously served as dean of formation on the Connecticut bishop’s staff, and she has prior experience as chair of the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons, and as a deputy to General Convention and legislative committee officer and chair. She has a doctorate in theology from the University of Exeter in England, a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School in Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Tufts University in Massachusetts.

7:00 pm Joint Service of Tenebrae with the Clergy and Choir of St. Francis, Great Falls - Join us for this unique and reflective service.

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. As a sequence of readings and sung Psalms unfolds, candles and other lights in the church are gradually extinguished until a single candle, considered a symbol of Christ, remains. Toward the end of the service this candle is hidden, symbolizing the apparent victory of the forces of evil at the Crucifixion. At the very end, a loud noise (Strepitus) is made, symbolizing the earthquake at the time of the Resurrection. The hidden candle is then restored to its place, and by its light all depart in silence.

10:00 am Liturgy of Holy Saturday (Woodland Chapel) - A brief liturgy for Holy Saturday marks the time of waiting at the tomb with special prayers and lessons appropriate to the day. This service will be about 15 minutes. 

NOTE: Woodland Chapel is adjacent to Douglass Drive.

6:30 am Sunrise Service (Woodland Chapel) - A brief service that begins in the darkness of the early morning. The lighting of the New Fire and the Paschal candle will take place; the telling of the first Easter morning from the Gospel of John with a short meditation; prayers; and the singing of “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” accompanied by trumpet. Please be comfortable and dress for the weather. This service will be about 25 minutes.

7:30 am Holy Communion (with sermon, hymns, organ, brass quartet, and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus)

9:00 am A Festive Service of Holy Communion (with sermon, hymns, choir, organ, and brass quartet)

11:15 am A Festive Service of Holy Communion (with sermon, hymns, choir, organ, and brass quartet)

Following the 9:00 service an Easter Egg Hunt will take place on the Great Lawn with refreshments for all ages on the Front Circle. All are invited to bring flowers from home to Flower the Cross throughout the morning. 

Nursery Care: The Nursery on the lower level will be available for ages 0–4 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. All staff are vaccinated and boosted.