Holy Week
T HE H OLY E UCHARIST Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Welcome to the Monastery Chapel. We warmly invite you to participate fully in our worship. Prelude
Improvisation
Entrance Hymn
Robert Humphreville
How wondrous and great
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Opening Acclamation Presider Blessed be the God of our salvation: People Who bears our burdens and forgives our sins. Confession & Absolution of Sin Presider God’s love is shown for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Let us then show our love for God by confessing our sins in penitence and faith. People
Presider
People
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
THE
SOCIETY OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST
980 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02138 617.876.3037 www.SSJE.org
Entrance Hymn
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How wondrous and great
Hymnal 532
Hymn of Supplication
Holy God
St. Sergius Orthodox Mass (Gregory Myers)
Collect of the Day Presider O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. People Amen.
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The Word of God First Lesson Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God." And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength-he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, "Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." Page 4
Isaiah 49:1–7
Gradual
Second Lesson
Psalm 71:1–14
1 Corinthians 1:18–31
The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
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Gospel Reading
John 12:20–36
Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-- `Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. The Sermon
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The Prayers of the People
The Peace Offertory Hymn
In the cross of Christ I glory
Hymnal 442
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The Holy Communion The Great Thanksgiving
Sanctus, Holy, Holy…
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St. Sergius Orthodox Mass (Gregory Myers)
The Lord’s Prayer
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Fraction Anthem
St. Sergius Orthodox Mass (Gregory Myers)
Longing Collect Presider Loving Father, we who are physically distant now, groan inwardly as we await the day when we are restored to the company of our neighbors and brought to the fullness of your presence in the Eucharistic feast. Comfort us in our longing to be near each other, assure us of your indwelling presence, and hasten the day when we will abide with you and all our beloved siblings in that kingdom where there is neither sorrow nor crying but the fullness of joy with all your saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. People Amen. Invitation to Communion Presider The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
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Post Communion Hymn
O Jesus, I have promised
Hymnal 655
Prayer After Communion Presider Faithful God, People may we who share this banquet glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, our salvation, life, and hope, who reigns as Lord now and for ever. Amen. Presider
People
Bow down before the Lord. Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Dismissal Postlude
Improvisation
Robert Humphreville Page 11
Announcements Welcome! We are delighted to welcome you to the Monastery today. If you are a visitor, or new to the Monastery or Community, please take a moment to introduce yourself to one of the Brothers following the Eucharist.
Some changes in our usual Holy Week practices Holy Week at the Monastery is a time when our bodies, as well as our senses, are fully engaged in our worship. This year only, we have made a number of modifications to our Holy Week rites. As a way to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety, we are inviting you to join the Brothers in heart and mind rather than in body as we process, wash feet, and venerate. It is our expectation to restore full congregational participation to the rites of Holy Week next year. We appreciate your understanding.
Holy Eucharist on the Tuesday in Holy Week at 5:30 p.m. The Brothers will celebrate the Eucharist as normal on Holy Tuesday. This service will be livestreamed.
Wednesday Tenebrae at 7:30 p.m. Tenebrae (from the Latin for shadows or darkness) is a beautiful and sustained monastic reflection on Jesus’ suffering and death. Psalms, canticles, and lessons from Lamentations and Jeremiah, are chanted. Candles are gradually extinguished in a Chapel that becomes silent. It is customary to depart from this service in silence.
Maundy Thursday Liturgy at 7:30 p.m. “Maundy” (from the Latin for mandate) refers to Jesus’ new commandment that we love one another as he has loved us. This is symbolized by foot washing and the institution of The Holy Eucharist. As a way to keep members of the congregation comfortable and safe, the foot washing will be done by the Community only. At the end of the liturgy, the Community will process with the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose in the St. John’s Chapel. You are invited to remain in your place. After the community has departed from the St. John’s Chapel, you are welcome to remain behind and pray for a brief time. This year, the All-Night Watch before the Sacrament will be livestreamed. You are invited to keep watch with us on-line.
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Good Friday Liturgy at 7:30 p.m. The liturgy begins with the solemn entrance of the sacred ministers, the Singing of the Passion, Solemn Collects, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. Following the Veneration of the Cross by the Brothers, the Cross will be processed through the Chapel to give members of the congregation a chance to venerate by a solemn bow or reaching out to tough it. An offering will taken to support Christian ministry in the Holy Land.
The Proper Liturgy of Holy Saturday at 12:30 p.m. At 12:30 on Holy Saturday, the Brothers sing The Proper Liturgy of Holy Saturday in place of the Midday Office. Following the shape of the Eucharist until the sermon, this liturgy contains the hauntingly beautiful anthem, In the Midst of Life We are in Death. This service, which lasts about 20 minutes, will be both in-person and livestreamed.
Evening Prayer of Holy Saturday at 6:00 p.m. The Brothers will sing Evening Prayer on Holy Saturday. This service will be livestreamed.
The Great Vigil of Easter at 4:30 a.m. As a way to minimize the need to move the congregation through narrow doorways, the New Fire will be kindled at the back of the Chapel. Please remain in your seats and wait for the Light to be passed to you.
Easter Day There will be a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. on Easter Day. Evening Prayer will be livestreamed at 4:00 p.m.
Ring Your Bells! You are invited to bring a bell with you to the Great Vigil of Easter and the Easter Day Eucharist to join us as we ring bells to announce the Resurrection
Live-streamed Services In addition to in-person worship during Holy Week, all the major liturgies will be live-streamed. We invite you to join us in-person or online. After Evening Prayer on Easter Day, the next livestreamed service will be First Evensong of the Second Sunday after Easter on Saturday, 23 April at 6:00 PM
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St. John’s Day We will be celebrating our annual patronal festival, The Feast of St. John, the Beloved Disciple, on Saturday, 7 May at 11:00 AM. Our Guest Preacher that day will be The Reverend Jennifer Strawbridge. Jenn is an Associate Professor of New Testament Studies and the G.B. Caird Fellow In Theology at Mansfield College in the University of Oxford. She is a longtime friend of the Society and member of the Fellowship of Saint John. During the Eucharist we will be receiving new members into the Fellowship. Following the service there will be our annual garden party and luncheon. All are welcome. No need to RSVP. Please invite someone who doesn’t yet know the monastery to join you.
SSJE and the Holy Week Rites It is hard to believe that some of the Holy Week rites are almost entirely new to many Episcopalians, having been first introduced with the advent of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The same cannot be said for SSJE. SSJE has been instrumental in the introduction of these rites to the Anglican Communion through St. John’s Bowdoin Street, and later the Monastery, as well as other parishes served by the Brothers over the years. Palms were first used at Bowdoin Street as early as 1906. That same year a Maundy Thursday Eucharist was celebrated in the morning, and a watch was kept through the day and overnight until Good Friday. Later that evening a foot washing service took place during Evening Prayer. Communion from the Reserved Sacrament on Good Friday (known as the Mass of the Presanctified) took place in 1906 (although until the 1960 only the priest received Holy Communion). Ashes were first used on Ash Wednesday in 1908. (Although there is a story of someone finding Fr. Benson burning his palms to make ashes for Ash Wednesday in the 1890’s, indicating that both palms and ashes were used well before 1906/ 1908.) The Lighting of the New Fire, Blessing of the Paschal Candle and First Mass of Easter began in 1909 (on Holy Saturday at 10:00 AM!). It was not until 1920 that the full Easter Vigil with the Prophecies and Renewal of Baptismal Vows took place. Tenebrae was first sung in 1917, and the Reproaches had been in use since at least 1906. One year Fr. Field SSJE was so unhappy with how the Reproaches had been sung, he wrote in the service register that next year the Reproaches MUST be sung faster, or something else MUST BE USED! For more information about the Society, please check our website at www.SSJE.org.
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❖ Br. Geoffrey Tristram, Presider & Preacher Mr. Robert Humphreville, Monastery Organist ❖
St Sergius Orthodox Mass, from An Order of Worship for the Holy Eucharist and Evening Prayer, in Commemoration of Sergius, Abbot of Holy Trinity, Moscow, 1392 © 1988 The Episcopal Church Center. Supplementary hymns are used by permission and licensed to be reprinted for this service by OneLicense.Net: #A-725463
The Monastery as Sanctuary We want our Monastery to be a sanctuary for our guests and for the Brothers. Please silence your electronic devices. We also ask you not to photograph, video, or record services in the Chapel, or to photograph other guests or Brothers without their express permission.