HOLY WEEK & EASTER, 2009

Liturgy helps us to remember and in remembering, it shapes us into a faithful people.

"I have set an example so that you also should do as I have done for you."  JOHN 13:15

Our style of worship grew out of the early Christian practice of going 

to one another's houses after synagogue and telling stories about Jesus, 

offering prayers and sharing a meal. 

The meal  that they shared was much the same meal that Jesus had shared 

with his friends on the night before he died.

And when they did that, they remembered, as he had asked them to. 

They remembered what he said and what he did and they became aware,

beyond a doubt, that he was truly with them. 

Liturgy is about all of this--about remembering, and more than this--liturgy is theology-in-the-making.

Liturgy helps us to think and talk about God in a way that has the potential to heal us, change us,

and shape us.

After Christ's death and resurrection, the early disciples didn't go around formulating 

theological dogma. Rather, they practiced liturgy and the practice of liturgy helped them

share ideas about God and about Christ. This is why liturgy, what we do when we worship together, 

is so important. It helps us to formulate our ideas and it helps to shape our lives.

Liturgy is intended to renew us, to transform us, and to form us into God's community.

It isn't done for its own sake, but for the effect it has on our lives.

Good liturgy does not call attention to itself. We sing hymns and repeat actions because they help

to lift us out of our daily selves to a different place--a liturgical place, a sacred place.

Good liturgy works on the heart of each participant which is why we don't applaud in liturgy--

it's not about the leader, but about you and the change that is slowly, inevitably taking place in

you, and in me, as we faithfully perform the sacred liturgy together.  

Maundy Thursday is a day when we remember all of this.

We remember that the night before Jesus died-- he took bread, blessed it and gave it to his 

disciples. We remember how he took a towel and wrapped it around his waist and invited 

his disciples to have their feet washed. We remember how he gave them a new commandment,

that they "love one another as I have loved you." We remember Jesus in the garden, 

in earnest prayer to God, praying that he might not have to die. And we remember his sleepy friends

and Judas' betrayal.

On this night we wash each other's feet. It makes us feel uncomfortable, but this is the point.

I suspect that the disciples were equally uncomfortable, having Jesus kneel down before them!

But this is the stuff of servanthood-- of the change, transformation, and conversion needed to become

followers of Christ.  If what we pray for is a world in which Christ's command to love takes precedence 

over everything else, then we must learn to wash each other's feet. For, as we practice this, we will learn 

to carry each other's pain and share the peace and joy of being disciples of Christ. 

On Good Friday the Stations of the Cross will help us to ponder the mystery of God's love in Christ through 

the last hours of his life, his passion. The liturgy and reserved Sacrament will be offered at the evening 

service--a series of prayers and the sacrament as a continuing presence of Christ through the darkness and despair of life.

The Easter Vigil is an opportunity to cross over--to crossover the dark waters of our despair into the first

Light of Christian faith. Beginning in the ancient darkness as we light the new Paschal Candle,

as we are called to be bearers of Christ's Light to the World. Like the first witnesses of Christian hope

we proclaim: Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

Our liturgy prepares us, urges us, moves us to renewed hope and faith. It happens for each of us

in the images and language that we are given and in the depths of our own hearts. Let this be a time

when we gather in our common home--Epiphany Church--to retell the stories about Jesus, offer prayers 

and share meals. As we remember what Jesus said and what Jesus did, may we also become aware

of the mysterious and lifegiving way that he is truly with us now, and forever. 

PLMcP+

Dear Members & Friends,

Thank you for helping to create a Green Lent at Epiphany Church. I hope that we have

all become more mindful, and in the process more thankful for God’s wonderful and mysterious

creation. We are now recycling each week at the church, cutting back on waste, and as a symbol

of our desire to honor God’s creation, many of the church’s Easter flowers will be selected so

that they can be added to the church’s gardens. Let us not only Go Green for Lent, but for Life. 

As Holy Week approaches, you are invited to gather with the community to focus on the

love and sacrifice made by God through Jesus Christ--who for us reached out his arms upon the

cross in love that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us. 

We will add to our offerings during Holy Week a Meditation Room with Stations of the Cross

designed to help us commit ourselves to Christ’s mission and ministry today. Members and

friends of all ages are welcome to come to the Church and Meditation Room anytime on Good

Friday from Noon until the Good Friday Liturgy which begins at 7:30 PM.

The following prayer written by Margaret Cropper is offered to help us in our daily

devotions throughout this most Holy Season. I pray that we will each be touched anew by the

mystery and wonders of God’s creative and eternal love. In thanksgiving, may we offer with

new awareness and resolve to be faithful ourselves, loving our neighbors and being more mindful

and grateful for the world which has been given into our care.

                                                                In Christ’s Name,

                      The Rev. Dr. Phebe L. McPherson

Lord, let us be with you, wherever you are crucified today.

Wherever the will of man crosses the will of God:

God and man,

you are stretched out on the cross of God’s purpose and our rebellion.

Where the will to use armed forces crosses God’s will for peace,

Where lying and corruption cross God’s will for truth,

Where greed and possessiveness cross the use of God’s plenty,

Where we live not for others but for ourselves,

Where ugliness and disease cross the will of God for beauty and well-being,

There let us find you, racked on the cross,

And there let us be with you, and share your suffering,

And bring about with you, and share your sacrifice,

That redemption which you are accomplishing in your passion.

Holy Week Schedule 2009

Thursday, April  9th   Maundy Thursday

Commemoration of the Last Supper & Service of Tenebrae

7:30 - 8:30 PM

Friday, April  10th   Good Friday

Community Prayer, Meditation, and Reserved Sacrament

7:30 - 8 :30 PM

Saturday, April  11th   Easter Vigil

Lighting of the Paschal Candle, Baptism, and Holy Communion

8 - 9:30 PM

Sunday, April 12th   Easter Sunday

Holy Communion & Sermon  8 & 10:30 AM

12 Noon Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday, April  19th    Easter Sunday II                                                                Holy Communion & Dramatic Presentation 8 & 10:30 AM

2009 Easter Gifts

Memorials and Thanksgivings

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Flowers: $  ______ 

Rector’s Discretionary Fund: $  ______

Memorial:____________________________________

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Thanksgiving: ________________________________

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Given by: ____________________________________

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All Gifts are Tax-Deductible  EIN 52-1613123

                     

Epiphany Episcopal Church                                                                                                                                                                     PO. Box 110, Odenton, Maryland 21113