A GUIDE TO
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THE HOLY WEEK JO SUNDAY
THURSDAY
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FRID
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OURNEY DAY BY DAY
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SATURDAY
SUNDAY
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INTRODUCTION Lent has prepared us to journey with Jesus through
to celebrate the feast but also to remember and re-
Holy Week. But we do not walk with Jesus simply
present to each new generation the history of God’s
as observers of his passion, death, and resurrection,
saving deeds (Ps. 78:5-8).
seeking to recall what happened. The church invites us instead to enter into Holy Week as pilgrims.
This biblical understanding of “remembrance” is very different from our modern understanding. It was not
Pilgrimage in the Old Testament is a journey initiated
a mere memory, a recalling to mind of something
by God with a spiritual goal. Abraham was called by
that happened in the past. For the Jews to remember
God to make pilgrimage to a land that God promised
was to participate in what was being remembered—a
to show him. Centuries later God led Moses and
re-living of that event. Thus, every year at the Passover
Israel on a forty-year pilgrimage to that same Land of
seder, it was the job of the youngest child to ask the
Promise.
question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Then began the recitation of mighty works
Pilgrimage is different than a “trip.” It is not a
God enacted to deliver Israel from their bondage in
sightseeing tour or a desire to experience a change
Egypt under Pharaoh. In eating the Passover seder
of scenery. On pilgrimage, it is the “pilgrim” who is
they, too, were sharing the meal “eaten in haste” (Exod.
changed by God forever. Abram became Abraham,
12:11). They were participating in the Exodus from
the “father of all who believe” (Rom. 4:11). The
Egypt just as surely as those Jews who were there with
shepherd Moses was transformed into the giver of
Moses did.
the Law and one “whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deut. 34:10). Israel was refined and changed from
If you have never gone through Holy Week at Church
a multitude of slaves into God’s own people, a nation
of the Resurrection, you may be wondering the
ready to enter the Promised Land (Deut. 4:20).
same thing: “Why is this week different from all other weeks?” During Holy Week, the church celebrates the
Pilgrimage is not just for spiritual “superstars.” The
Passover of Christ, the “Lamb of God who takes away
Law of Moses called for all Jews to make an annual
the sin of the world” (John 1:29). By his blood God has
pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the three great feasts
delivered us from the slavery of sin and death and has
of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. In fact, our
brought us into the fullness of his promise that we, too,
Palm Sunday procession song, “Who Will Ascend
might share in his resurrection (Phil. 3:10-11).
God’s Holy Mountain?” is a contemporary setting of Psalm 24—one of the songs of ascent that those
Holy Week invites each one of us to go on pilgrimage:
Jewish pilgrims would sing together on their way up
to journey with Jesus through the gates of Jerusalem,
to Jerusalem. In the holy city they gathered not only
to eat with him and hear his commandment to love one 4
another, to stay and watch with him in the garden, to
To journey with Jesus, to be present with him here
accompany him on the way to Calvary, to be present at
this Holy Week, is a pilgrimage that will change us.
his death, and to dance for joy at his resurrection.
On Palm Sunday we join the crowds waving palm branches and singing “hosanna” to Jesus as an earthly
Gregory Nazianzen, a fourth-century bishop,
king, perceiving his glory in worldly terms based on
exhorted his congregation to be as fully present with
our own human experiences and expectations.
Jesus that week in Jerusalem as were his disciples, and to be changed by Christ’s death and resurrection even
By the time Maundy Thursday arrives we begin, with
as they were:
the disciples, to see Jesus with different eyes. He is the
Christ revealed to us in humility as the embodiment of
We are soon going to share in the Passover [of Christ]...
God’s love.
So let us take our part in the Passover... To be present at the cross on Good Friday, even as
If you are a Simon of Cyrene, take up your cross and
Mary and John were, is to finally see Jesus’ glory
follow Christ.
in God’s terms. He has won for us the victory over sin and death. His sacrifice on the cross for the
If you are crucified beside him, like one of the thieves,
forgiveness of our sins has made the saving power of
now like the good thief acknowledge your God. For
his blood eternally present to us.
your sake, and because of your sin, Christ himself was regarded as a sinner; for his sake, therefore, you must
On Easter Sunday we participate in the glory of God’s
cease to sin. Worship him who was hung on the cross
victory over sin and death as we “hasten to see the
because of you, even if you are hanging there yourself.
stone rolled back, and even the angels perhaps, and
Enter paradise with Jesus.
Jesus himself.” Christ is risen—and we are raised with him into the newness of eternal life.
If you are a Joseph of Arimathea, go to the one who ordered his crucifixion, and ask for Christ’s body. Make
Let this Holy Week be your invitation to set your
your own the expiation for the sins of the whole world.
countenance on Jerusalem and, like Jesus, to If you are a Nicodemus, like the man who worshipped
journey to the Passover feast. Let us experience the
God by night, bring spices and prepare Christ’s body
remembrance of God’s saving deeds and encounter
for burial.
firsthand the power of the crucified and risen Christ to save and heal us.
If you are one of the Marys, or Salome, or Joanna, weep in the early morning. Be the first to see the stone rolled
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us;
back, and even the angels perhaps, and Jesus himself.
therefore, let us celebrate the feast (1 Cor. 5:7-8)!
Scripture references in this introduction are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Scripture throughout the rest of this book is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version,® NIV.® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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HISTORICAL CONTEXT On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the entrance of Jesus
he will be victorious in his mission to defeat sin and
as a King into the city of Jerusalem, the historical
death once and for all.
capital of the kingdom of Israel. This kind of entry into the city was well-known in the ancient world. By the
The church has preserved this celebration and enters
time of Jesus, this was a celebration reserved for the
into Jesus’ triumphal arrival to Jerusalem through the
Roman Emperor and his family alone. Historically, the
liturgy and celebration of Palm Sunday, which marks
“Roman triumph” was awarded by the Roman Senate
the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday sets the
to generals and their armies who were returning from
tone for Holy Week as one of ultimate victory and joy.
a decisive military victory. Roman emperors would
The procession on this day holds special significance
stride into the city on horseback with a giant parade,
because it is the beginning of one liturgical movement
dragging along the spoils of war—both riches and
that arcs through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and
prisoners. As the emperor, his soldiers, and those who
the Easter Vigil. Historically, the clergy would begin
were part of his victory party rode into the city, the
the procession outside the church. The palms—an
crowd would join the procession behind them as they
ancient symbol of triumph and victory—are blessed
made their way to a temple for a sacrifice.
outside, prior to the procession, and waved by the crowd as the crucifix, Gospel book, and clergy pass
Jesus made an important statement to the people
by. The whole congregation joins the procession and
as he rode into the ancient city on a donkey colt (a
enters the sanctuary together. These palm branches
symbolic animal of peace). Like a great emperor
are saved and later burned to be used as ashes on Ash
returning victoriously from war, he was greeted by
Wednesday of the following year.
the crowds with shouts of triumph and joy and waving palm branches, “Blessed is the king who comes in the
Palm Sunday at Resurrection also has a special
name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38). Jesus’ triumphal entry
significance for us, as we held our very first service on
declares to everyone that he is King and Lord and that
Palm Sunday in 1954.
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WHAT YOU SEE & HEAR WAVING PALM BRANCHES: In Matthew 21,
congregation to the ruling narrative of Holy Week. The
it says that crowds placed branches at Jesus’ feet as
congregation participates in this reading by acting as
he made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Palm
those who call for Jesus’ crucifixion.
branches are an ancient symbol of goodness, victory, INCENSE: Burned as a tangible reminder of God’s
and triumph.
presence with us, incense is traditionally used on holy A PROCESSIONAL: We march through part of our
days. The incense is carried by a person called the
neighborhood both to partictipate in Jesus’ own entry
thurifer. The incense also represents our prayers rising
into Jerusalem as a victorious king and to announce the
to God in heaven. (Psalm 141:2)
beginning of Holy Week. LITURGICAL COLOR CHANGE FROM CHUPPAH: This structure symbolically honors the
PURPLE TO RED: A local custom dating back to
crucifix, which represents Christ’s presence.
the late ‘80s, the shift from purple to red is meant to visually capture the dramatic arc of the service. Purple,
SHOFAR: The blowing of this horn is a local custom
a royal color, is used for the processional as we usher
based on the Bible’s description of its use as a herald of
in King Jesus. Then, after the Passion reading, purple
the coming of a king.
is changed to red, which is the official color of Palm Sunday and a symbol of Jesus’ death and crucifixion.
THE PASSION READING: This passage from
The changing colors capture the dramatic juxtaposition
John’s Gospel is performed as a dramatic monologue
that takes place, as the same crowd of people goes
by a member of the congregation in order to orient the
from praising Jesus to calling for his murder. 8
DEVOTIONAL Palm Sunday is a service of invitation to the journey of
of rejecting Jesus. In the grittiness and length of the
Holy Week. The service begins on a spiritual high point
Passion reading, we realize the depth of suffering that
as we remember and celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry
Jesus endured for us.
into Jerusalem. Like the crowds in the Gospel accounts (Matt. 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-40), during the
The prayers of Palm Sunday focus on Jesus’ suffering.
processional we are invited to worship Jesus in all his
We are called to imitate Jesus in his humility and to
glory. We see Jesus for who he truly is: our King. As we
walk with him through his suffering and death. We do
wave our palm branches and walk with Jesus towards
this so that we might also share in his resurrection and
Jerusalem, we experience Jesus’ eternal victory.
victory—a victory that we have had a glimpse of in this service. This invitation is not to be taken lightly. If, by
However, when we arrive with Jesus in Jerusalem
faith, we embrace the call to share in Jesus’ suffering
there is a dramatic shift. In the service, we hear the
and allow the Lord to meet us, we will be changed.
Passion reading—the account of Jesus’ trial and
Whether this is your first or fiftieth journey through
crucifixion. The same crowd that was worshiping Jesus
Holy Week, the Lord Jesus is calling you to walk this
now turns against him, calling for his death. Again,
difficult and holy road with him.
we see ourselves in the crowd, realizing our own sin
YOUR RESPONSE How is the Lord inviting you to walk with him this week? What does it mean to walk with Jesus in his suffering?
What stands out to you most about this service?
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HISTORICAL CONTEXT On Maundy Thursday, we gather for the second
from Rome; they envisioned a second Exodus. Bread
service of Holy Week that marks Jesus’ Last Supper
and wine play a significant role in the Passover meal,
with his disciples prior to his arrest by the Jewish
and during the Passover meal, unleavened bread and
leaders. On this night, the apostle John recorded that
wine is consumed. The unleavened bread is called
Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and gave his disciples
“the bread of affliction” to remind the Israelites of their
the model for the Eucharist and a “new command”
suffering in Egypt and to remember how they left in
to love each other as Jesus loved them (John 13:34).
such a hurry that there was no time to let the yeast rise
Maundy is a word derived from the Latin which means
before baking. There are five cups of wine integral to
“mandate” or “command.”
the Passover meal. There is varied interpretation, but generally, the first four cups correspond to the four
Jesus takes on the position of a menial slave in the
terms God used to describe how he would deliver
act of foot washing. This would have been unusual
Israel from Egypt (Exod. 6:6-8)—literally, they are
behavior for a rabbi at that time—a rabbi should have
cups of salvation. The fifth cup of wine is left at the
humility but never give up his station of superior
place set for Elijah, who it was hoped would return to
authority. Jesus adorns himself as a slave and washes
announce the coming of the Messiah. Jesus connected
his disciples’ feet in the manner of ancient hospitality.
for his disciples the hope for a second Exodus to the
It was custom to wash the feet of one’s guests before
deliverance they would yet experience in his body’s
dinner when they had arrived from a long journey.
death and resurrection.
Normally, disciples would have been the ones serving their master, but Jesus’ behavior is different in order to
The church continues these practices today on
show his disciples how his Kingdom has turned social
Maundy Thursday. The foot washing after the reading
norms upside down. And, he is preparing them for the
of the Gospel and the sermon was a common practice
greatest dinner of all.
by the fourth century. Traditionally, the leader of the church washes the feet of twelve poor people on this
For this is also the night that Jesus institutes the
day. During the day, there is a ceremony to bless the
Eucharist, the meal we share as the family of God in
holy oils used throughout the year. Finally, this is the
remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. That
last Eucharist meal consecrated until Easter Sunday.
night Jesus and the disciples shared the Passover meal
The priest consecrates elements for this service and
as the first family of the new Kingdom of God; this
enough bread for reserve Eucharist on Good Friday.
meal remembers the most important event in Jewish
Customarily, Maundy Thursday extends into an all
history, the Exodus from Egypt. Many Jews of the first
night prayer vigil, commemorating Jesus’ request that
century were waiting for a Messiah who would lead a
his disciples stay up praying with him in the Garden of
military and political takeover of Israel and reclaim it
Gethsemane before his arrest.
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WHAT YOU SEE & HEAR WASHING EACH OTHER’S FEET: We wash
SHROUDING OF CROSS AND LOWERING
each other’s feet to reenact the same servanthood
BANNERS: We fast with our eyes through these
that Jesus took on for his disciples, as told in John 13.
visual cues of the somber pilgrimage into the last hours
Even as King and God, Jesus stooped down to do the
of Jesus’ life and his crucifixion.
dirtiest and lowliest of duties for his disciples. As Jesus’ followers, we do the same for one another because this
RESERVED ELEMENTS: The priest blesses extra
is how Jesus modeled servant love.
Communion bread on Maundy Thursday, which is meant to be consumed during Communion on Good
STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR: We strip the altar
Friday. It is processed to All Saints Chapel and stored in
of all worship elements and wash it with water. The
the Tabernacle, a small locked box. Maundy Thursday
symbols of Christ’s presence in Communion are
through Easter Sunday is technically one long service,
removed as a reminder of how Christ was stripped and
known as the “Triduum,” (The Three Days) with no
exposed by the soldiers before his crucifixion and also
formal processionals or recessionals.
how his body was washed and prepared for burial by the women.
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DEVOTIONAL The Maundy Thursday service invites us to allow Jesus
is indignant when Jesus asks to wash his feet. Either
into our whole lives. Jesus shows his tender love for
Peter does not want his Lord to stoop to such a lowly
us through the vulnerability of washing our feet. Jesus
place, or he does not want to show Jesus his dirty feet
washes us of our sin through his broken body and his
(or both!). How easy it is to sympathize with Peter in this
blood spilled out on the cross through the sacrament
moment. But instead of appreciating Peter’s concern
of Communion. This service is intensely embodied—we
for him, Jesus says, “If I do not wash you, you have no
are invited to see, hear, and feel Jesus with us.
share with me” (John 13:8).
In the midst of a worship service it feels both bizarre
Jesus displays his incredible humility and the fullness of
and startlingly vulnerable to strip off our shoes and
his humanity—he is not above us or our bodies. Jesus
socks and place our feet in a basin of water. The foot
became one of us, and a servant to us, in order that
washing portion of the service forces us to be exposed
he might bring us into full relationship with God the
and vulnerable. It is in that place that we can receive
Father—that we might share eternal life with him. Jesus’
healing and the fullness of the Lord Jesus’ love for us.
servanthood, seen in the washing of feet, is then fully
In the Gospel reading for this service, the disciple Peter
realized in his death on the cross.
YOUR RESPONSE Is it more difficult for you to allow someone to wash your feet, or for you to wash the feet of someone else? Why?
What stands out to you most about this service?
How might the Lord want to minister to you during that moment?
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HISTORICAL CONTEXT Traditionally, the Stations of the Cross refer to
this experience to pilgrims around the world, no matter
images depicting the journey Jesus walked from his
where they might be. The fourteen stations begin with
condemnation and sentencing at trial to the laying
Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and end
of his body in the tomb. The images are customarily
with his followers laying his body in the tomb.
displayed around the sanctuary of a church, and people are encouraged to visit the stations during
At Church of the Resurrection, we take a journey
Lent. At each station there are prayers, reflections, and
around our building together at three different times
scripture read. This journey is thought to have been
on Good Friday. An officiant and a musician lead the
adapted from the practice of very early pilgrims to
service. Each station is marked by a plain wooden
Jerusalem at Easter who would follow Jesus’ path on
cross. At each station we read the passage of scripture
the Via Dolorosa, which was thought to be the actual
associated with that moment on Jesus’ journey and take
path Jesus took on his way to being crucified. The
a moment to reflect with song and prayer. Our Stations
Stations of the Cross developed in order to provide
of the Cross service was designed by Pope John Paul II.
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WHAT YOU SEE & HEAR CRUCIFER AND ACOLYTES: The crucifer
FOURTEEN WOODEN CROSSES: We journey
bears the shrouded Crucifix and the acolytes bear
to fourteen wooden crosses that mark the traditional
the torches, as is standard for a procession in official
fourteen stations. At each station, we sing, pray, and
church liturgies. The acolytes are youth in the
reflect on scripture.
church who have been invited into a role of liturgical leadership.
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DEVOTIONAL Amidst the intensely corporate pilgrimage of Holy
journey to his death, we are invited to ponder the
Week, the Stations of the Cross stand out as an
intentionality with which Jesus embraced his rescue
opportunity for a uniquely individual encounter with
mission. Each station takes Jesus deeper into betrayal,
the Lord. With a liturgy of only two voices, no homily,
suffering, and death, thereby bringing us closer to the
and a multitude of scripture readings, this service is
moment of our redemption. This paradox evokes an
crafted to be a private devotional experience. We are
overwhelming love for our Savior as he suffers and
invited into a one-on-one encounter with Jesus as we
stumbles, and it brings us hope amidst the darkness of
walk alongside him on the road to his crucifixion. As
human sin.
we contemplate each action that took place on Jesus’
YOUR RESPONSE What difficult burden are you being asked to bear in this season of your life? How does the way in which Christ carried his cross apply to your journey?
What stands out to you the most about this service?
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HISTORICAL CONTEXT Good Friday is a solemn remembrance of Jesus’
and from the sermon to the Hebrews in which the
sacrifice of his own life so that we might find forgiveness
author explains Jesus’ role as our great High Priest and
and reconciliation with God. This is not a somber
Mediator (Heb. 10:1-25). At this time, we return to the
recapitulation of Jesus’ death, but rather a thankful and
same Gospel reading that we read on Palm Sunday—
reverently joyful recollection of his death that gave
the Passion (John 18:1–19:37). This service also
us life. This day and the next—Holy Saturday—are the
includes the praying of the Solemn Collects in which
only two days of the church calendar when there is
we intercede for the church, our nation, and the world.
no Eucharistic celebration. Traditionally, this service
Our Communion for this service consists of wafers
can be held at three o’clock in the afternoon or later
that have already been blessed during the previous
to mark the hour of Jesus’ death according to the
night’s Maundy Thursday Eucharist. Good Friday is not
Gospels.
a Eucharist service because we are remembering that Christ’s body was in the grave, and we are waiting for his resurrected body to bring us new life.
It is believed that the liturgy for this service is derived from the earliest days of Christianity. The service begins in silence and with prayer. The clergy process
Finally, we take time to venerate the cross. At Church
into the room silently, dressed in black. In some
of the Resurrection, we lay the cross down on the
traditions, they prostrate themselves before the
chancel stage, and all who are led take time to touch
cross at this point. Our readings for the day are from
the cross and pray. It is a powerful time of connection
Isaiah’s Suffering Servant poem (Isa. 52:13–53:12)
with our sacrificial Savior.
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WHAT YOU SEE & HEAR SILENT PROCESSION: The clergy enters the
Resurrection, we believe that this practice takes us out
room in silence to highlight Good Friday as the
of time and, by the Holy Spirit, into the event of Christ’s
continuation of the long service that begins on Maundy
crucifixion. It is not a reenactment, but instead a sacred
Thursday and ends with the Great Vigil of Easter.
moment when we are given the gift of repentance as we physically touch the cross and are moved by Jesus’
PROCESSION OF THE CROSS: The
healing presence on the cross.
congregation is invited into the immediacy of the wood of the cross as it is carried through the sanctuary.
PRAYER MINISTERS: Because this service is marked by the immediacy of the saving power of the
VENERATION OF THE CROSS: This tradition
cross, we fill the room with prayer ministers who are
dates back to the fourth century, when Christians
trained and ready to enter into that moment with you in
venerated the wood of Jesus’ actual cross. At
prayer.
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DEVOTIONAL In the pilgrimage of Holy Week, Good Friday brings
much time savoring the reality of the cross.
us to a somber and contemplative halt. From the
On Good Friday, we celebrate both the specific instant
moment the silent procession enters the sanctuary until
in history when Jesus redeemed us and the reality
we all leave in silence, we are invited into a focused
that it can meet us in our sinfulness today. We invite
contemplation of Jesus’ death on the cross. Each
the Holy Spirit to give us the grace to acknowledge
scripture reading, prayer, and song points us to one
our personal sinfulness and and then to immediately
man’s experience on an ancient instrument of torture.
find forgiveness available at the cross. It is a stunningly
Why? Because we believe that the moment Jesus died
personal opportunity to ask the Lord to highlight the
on the cross was the moment the entire world was
sins keeping us from drawing close to him and then to
rescued from sin and death. That is why we spend so
set those sins down on the wood of the cross.
YOUR RESPONSE Is there a sinful habit or pattern that the Lord may be asking you to give to him this Good Friday?
What stands out to you the most about this service?
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REZ CONTEXT Because Resurrection was a mobile church from 1991-2012, each move into a new worship space pushed us to a new level of creativity. The move into Glenbard West High School gave us the space for our theatrical and artistic vision to come to full fruition. As the Vigil service grew, we moved into Edman Chapel at Wheaton College, and our artists were challenged to fill a larger space than ever before. Now that we are finally celebrating in our own home, a new level of joy has been unleashed as we adapt to our own space. Through each of these moves, however, Easter has continued to be marked by a bold, creative spirit that is inspired by scripture, liturgy, and the Holy Spirit.
The day before Easter is called Holy Saturday and marks the day that Jesus’ body rested in the tomb. On this day, we do not celebrate Communion. Essentially this is a day of waiting for the resurrection. During the early days of the church, this was a day of fasting for remembrance and peaceful contemplation. At a later point in church history, those who were newly converted to Christianity used this as a day to publically declare their faith in Jesus. After sunset on Saturday, the Great Vigil of Easter (p. 27) would begin, marking the first part of the celebration of Easter. At Church of the Resurrection, the Great Vigil of Easter developed over the years into a service that highlights our deep desire to meet the Lord through Word and Sacrament by the power of the Holy Spirit. Starting in the 1980s when Resurrection was led by Canon William Beasley, there was a desire to make Holy Week not a series of rituals but a profound time of meeting the Lord. Thanks to his background in theater, Fr. William understood the ability of the arts to make abstract concepts concrete and accessible, and he drew artists to Resurrection. When he brought actors, visual artists, and musicians into the same room and gave them freedom to interpret the Salvation History readings, an explosion of creativity flowed forth. This continues to be true at Resurrection to this day, as artists are asked to be preachers by using their gifts to proclaim the heart of the Gospel.
In the past, we combined the theatrical celebration of the Salvation History readings with the Great Vigil of Easter—but in order to give more people an opportunity to hear the Gospel, we have taken these dramatic readings and created a separate afternoon service with a missional focus. We chose the name “Easter Festival” to be more accessible to those outside the church, but we preserve its identity as a service in which we dramatically reinterpret the readings of the Great Vigil through visual art, theater, dance, and song. The artists of Resurrection prepare for months in advance, writing original songs, crafting new art, and theatrically interpreting these scripture stories to tell the story of salvation to the church and those who may never have heard of God’s saving deeds for all people.
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WHAT YOU SEE & HEAR SERVICE OF LESSONS: Old Testament readings are presented dramatically at our Easter Festival in order to bring a sensory immediacy to the sacramental reality of the texts.
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DEVOTIONAL The Easter Festival presents a unique opportunity
inheritance as children of God. It is through the lens
to witness the full arc of God’s rescue mission for
of this story that Easter holds such power, as it is
his people. These incredible stories also provide a
the climax of the narrative: God’s rescue mission is
special chance to invite people who are in need of
fulfilled when he takes on a physical body, bears our
God’s saving power. In the service, we are led through
sins upon himself on the cross, and then defeats death
the Old Testament to see how each passage points
through his resurrection. It makes our family’s story
us to the saving work of the Resurrected Christ.
our story—and so every year we listen to the narrative
These readings tell the epic story of God coming
of how God has been rescuing us from the moment
to the rescue of a creation and a people whom he
sin entered the world, and we rejoice in the reality that
loves, and gathering them around himself to live in
we have a part in the tale.
his love forever. They are our family history and our
YOUR RESPONSE Reflect on your personal history. Where do you see God’s rescue plan breaking into your story?
What stands out to you most about this service?
This service is uniquely invitational. Who could you invite to the Easter Festival?
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HISTORICAL CONTEXT The Great Vigil of Easter is the crowning jewel of Holy Week; it begins after sunset on Holy Saturday and extends through the night, culminating in a sunrise Easter Acclamation service. Of all the services celebrated during Holy Week, the Easter Vigil is the oldest known service of the week. The earliest references to the Vigil are found in the second century. In the third and fourth centuries, Christians believed this was the most significant holy day for new Christians to declare their faith and become full members of the family of God. The Easter Vigil celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and looks forward to his coming again in glory to fully reconcile the world to himself.
time. It is a time for us to slow down and dig deeply into the story of salvation presented to us through the Vigil readings. It is also an opportunity for the many lay preachers and worship leaders at Resurrection to have an opportunity to lead. Throughout history, the number of readings has varied. There are nine readings currently found in the Book of Common Prayer, and at Resurrection we add a tenth passage for the second reading—the Fall. At 6am the Easter Acclamation service begins, and candidates for baptism are presented even as the congregation renews their own baptismal vows. Finally, we reach the moment that we wait for patiently during Lent and all of Holy Week: the Easter Acclamation and the Holy Noise. The celebrant exclaims to the people: “Alleluia, Christ is risen!” And the people respond: “The Lord is risen, indeed! Alleluia!” At this time, we shout and sing and dance as we celebrate the hope given to us all those many years ago on that first Easter Sunday morning, and we rejoice in the expectation of the return of Christ in the future. This is truly the greatest moment of the entire year.
The Easter Vigil has four important parts: the Service of Light, the readings, baptism, and the Eucharist. The Service of Light is often referred to as the Exsultet. The light represents our passage from the darkness of death on Good Friday into the light of life on Easter Sunday. It is at this time that the Paschal Candle is lit from a new fire outside of the church. Clergy members then process into the sanctuary with the light. As they reach the doors of the sanctuary, they stop and knock prior to entering. As the Paschal Candle enters the room, it is the only light. The Paschal Candle will burn during every service through Easter until Pentecost.
We then conclude the service by celebrating the Eucharist, enjoying together the meal that makes us one with Jesus’ body and blood and unites us with the church throughout the ages. The Eucharist reminds us throughout the year of the death and resurrection of Jesus which we celebrate during Holy Week, and the first Eucharist of Easter is an especially poignant moment as it concludes our Holy Week pilgrimage.
For the rest of the night, we celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, or the Vigil readings. At Resurrection, we spend one hour exploring each reading through worship, an original song, preaching, and Holy Spirit ministry
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WHAT YOU SEE & HEAR SERVICE BEGINS IN DARKNESS: The Great
reminder of the pillar of fire that led the Israelites to
Vigil of Easter begins in darkness because this service
safety in Exodus 13.
moves us from the darkness of Jesus’ death on Good Friday to the light of life found in Jesus’ resurrection at
THE EXSULTET: Also known as the “Easter
sunrise on Easter morning.
Proclamation,” this poetic hymn is sung by a cantor and brings the salvation narrative of Holy Week into focus around the Light of Christ.
POUNDING ON DOOR: Bishop Stewart pounds on the doors of the sanctuary as a reminder that Christ
CONGREGATIONAL CANDLES: The light from
broke down the doors of Hell when he defeated death.
the Paschal candle is spread to the whole congregation BISHOP CARVING ON NEW PASCHAL
as a symbol of the intensely personal nature of Christ’s
CANDLE: Every year, Bishop Stewart carves the
presence with each of us.
Greek symbols “Alpha” and “Omega” (“beginning” and “end”) to highlight Christ’s eternal presence
THE HOLY NOISE: The conclusion of the Great
with us.
Vigil of Easter takes place at 6am when the celebrant declares that Christ is risen. Resurrection has taken
“THE LIGHT OF CHRIST”: The early church would
the ancient custom of ringing bells in celebration to
strike a light on Jesus’ tomb and carry the flame with
new heights through the “Holy Noise,” when the entire
them throughout their celebration of his resurrection.
congregation makes a “joyful noise unto the Lord.”
Today, we light a Paschal candle every year as a 28 28
DEVOTIONAL The Great Vigil of Easter is the crowning jewel in our
As we keep vigil through the night with Jesus, we join
Holy Week pilgrimage. While you may be tempted
with believers who, for millennia, have understood
to think that of Easter Sunday, in reality it is this quiet
the incredible significance of this evening and have
service that begins in darkness on Holy Saturday and
given up sleep, despite being near the end of a long
erupts into joyous celebration at sunrise on Easter
pilgrimage, in order to worship and pray. This is how
morning that encapsulates our pilgrimage. Hour by
we find ourselves dancing and singing at sunrise on
hour, we walk with the Lord from death to life, until the
Easter Sunday, sleepless as we may be. The joy of the
glorious moment when a Spirit-filled impartation of joy
Gospel overtakes us and we celebrate with childlike
is released and we celebrate that the resurrection is,
freedom the hope that we have as children of the
indeed, real.
living God.
YOUR RESPONSE When was the last time that you were moved by the joy of the resurrection?
What stands out to you most about this service?
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HISTORICAL CONTEXT Easter Sunday marks the first Sunday of the Easter
empty tomb or to consecrate a new church.
season, which continues through Pentecost. Originally,
At Resurrection, we continue our celebration from
in the ancient church, Easter Sunday did not have a
the Easter Vigil into Sunday morning. For each of our
proper liturgy because the Easter Vigil continued
Easter services, we repeat the Easter Acclamation,
into Easter Sunday and concluded with the Eucharist.
we baptize people, and we share the Eucharist. These
Different parts of the church throughout history used
services minister the joy that was released through the
this time to dramatize the women returning to the
Great Vigil of Easter.
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WHAT YOU SEE & HEAR BAPTISMS: Baptism as the passage from death to
FLOWERS AND BANNERS: After a season of
life is powerfully reinforced by the celebration of Jesus’
visual fasting, the beauty of the Lord’s resurrection is
resurrection.
reflected in the sanctuary being filled with fresh flowers and bright banners.
ASPERGES: We rejoice in our own baptisms as the clergy sprinkle the waters of baptism on the
DANCING: This Resurrection tradition began in the
congregation.
early ‘90s as a spontaneous response to the healing and joy of the Lord’s presence. It has since grown
EASTER ACCLAMATION: To mark the end of the
to be an integral part of our Easter experience, as
Lent and as the climax of our Holy Week pilgrimage,
children and adults alike overflow with the joy of the
Bishop Stewart proclaims, “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”
Resurrection.
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DEVOTIONAL We have arrived at our culminating Holy Week service:
be with God forever. We will not be with God simply in
Easter morning. One word perfectly sums up this
a metaphorical or ethereal way—no, we are promised
service: joy!
that we will share in Jesus’ resurrection. We will be able to physically walk with Jesus in our heavenly home.
Having walked with Jesus through the suffering, pain, and anguish of this week, the celebration of the Easter
The palpable joy in this service comes from being in
service is all the sweeter. Experiencing the weight of
the presence of the Lord and is a taste of the heavenly
our sin and the cost of Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday
joy we will one day experience in fullness. This service
gives us all the more reason to rejoice at Jesus’ ultimate
invites us to enter into this glimpse of heaven with
victory. We recognize the depth of the darkness from
childlike faith and to revel in the joy of being with God
which Jesus has saved us. We also rejoice in what we
and in his power. Dance and proclaim that the Lord
are saved for: eternal life with the Lord. Through Jesus’
is good and that the Lord has done it: he has won the
final victory, the victory over death itself, we are able to
victory!
YOUR RESPONSE When was the last time you experienced or witnessed true joy? How was it different from feeling simply happy?
Easter Sunday is a wonderful day to bring guests. Is there someone you could invite? What stands out to you most about this service?
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A PRAYER FOR HOLY WEEK:
Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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CHURCHREZ.ORG/HOLYWEEK
© 2016 Church of the Resurrection. All rights reserved. 935 W. Union Ave. Wheaton, IL 60187 churchrez.org Editor: Meghan Robins • Assistant Editor: Ellen Richard Design: Alan Miller • Illustrations: Brittney Dunn Introduction: Canon Dr. Stephen Gauthier and Dr. Barbara Gauthier Writers: Meghan Robins, Ellen Richard, Sarah Graham • Copyediting: Anna Robbins, Ellen Richard Production: Bethany McLellan • Photos: Michael Johnson, Ryn Manby Resurrection History: Bp. Stewart Ruch III Resurrected Christ: Laura Tabbut, Janice Wood, and Ray Wu, 2011