Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, a seven-day span that culminates the day before Easter Sunday. The Gospels describe Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion, riding on a donkey. A crowd of people greeted him with cries of Hosanna, which is an expression of prayer or joy, and threw coats and branches at his feet to honor him. The Gospel According to John specifically mentions palm branches, which were a sign of victory in pre-Christian times. 

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This service is the commemoration of the institution of Holy Communion by Jesus as we reflect on his commandment to love one another as He loved us. We recount Jesus’ last supper with the disciples, being betrayed and waiting in the Garden of Gethsemane.

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It is a somber service where the altar is stripped and clergy wear black vestments. We'll have readings, music, foot-washing, and celebrate the Eucharist. 

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- Please plan to have a basin and water to participate in the foot-washing from your home. 

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On Good Friday we remember Christ's crucifixion. It is a somber service and the clergy wear black vestments. We will wait and watch with Jesus. We will meditate on the death of Jesus. 

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We will read the Passion story, the story of the betrayal of Jesus, his friend Peter’s denial of their relationship, the sentence of death from the Roman governor, the journey through the city carrying the cross, and finally the crucifixion. 

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- There is no Eucharist on Good Friday.  Instead, we will recite and sing songs of lament. 

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Easter Vigil also called the Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter, is a beautiful service held in traditional churches as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Historically, it is during this service that people are baptized and that adult catechumens are received into full communion with the Church. It is the first celebration of Easter and traditionally begins at sunset.

- There is a celebration of the Eucharist during this service. 

Easter is the most important celebration of the church’s year!  This day is the joyful observance of Jesus rising from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. 

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The Collect for Easter 

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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- There is a celebration of the Eucharist.