Holy Week

The day started out cool and cloudy and then warmed up with the sun coming out about 9am. Such an important transition for resurrection Sunday!

We had 40 in attendance which included 4 online through Zoom. The inhouse attendance was at a maximum based on pandemic guidelines. This was only the second Sunday service we have been open.

A highlight of Sunday was the music. Andy Cortez provided a festive note with his trumpet. He had a workout, with opening hymn “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”, “The Day of Resurrection” as the concluding hymn and “Trumpet Voluntary” as the postlude. Helmut added his violin on Mozart’s “Alleluia”. Brad was featured in the prelude “Prelude and Fugue in C Major” by J. S. Bach. The music was warmly received by the congregation.

Also to be mentioned was Charles McGuire’s Calla Lilies which provided company to the Easter lilies. The lilies were on the altar and all the windows.

Since there was no gathered service in 2020 due to the pandemic, this service had a special meaning as we are finding new life in our fight over the pandemic.

We started out at the Sunrise Service at the Long’s House at 7:00am. It was a half an hour later than last year. The weather returned to overcast conditions two years ago in contrast to the sunny warmer with a gentle warm breeze last year. However, there was a nice glow of the sunrise along the river for much of the service. St. Peter’s had some key roles. Catherine preached. Nancy provided the welcome and Alex the opening prayer and Apostle’s Creed. Shiloh brought their band as they have in former years. The three ministers met after the service and planned a meeting to talk about security.

The full Holy week page is here with all the Holy Week related scriptures and services.

From Palm Sunday to Easter, 2018 we held 5 services this year, serving 155 people. There was a special Maundy Thursday event for the tailer court in Port Royal as well. The services varied as well as mood – Psalm Sunday with the procession, the darkness and shadows of Tenebrae, the communal footwashing of Maundy Thursday, the the cup of salvation of Good Friday and then the wonderful celebrations of Easter day. We also participated in the Port Royal Sunrise service on Sunday morning. Yes, we did walk with Jesus in his suffering and hardships and then sharing and proclaiming the resurrection. with all the Holy Week related scriptures and services.

From Palm Sunday to Easter, 2018 we held 5 services this year, serving 155 people. There was a special Maundy Thursday event for the tailer court in Port Royal as well. The services varied as well as mood – Psalm Sunday with the procession, the darkness and shadows of Tenebrae, the communal footwashing of Maundy Thursday, the the cup of salvation of Good Friday and then the wonderful celebrations of Easter day. We also participated in the Port Royal Sunrise service on Sunday morning. Yes, we did walk with Jesus in his suffering and hardships and then sharing and proclaiming the resurrection.

We started out at the Sunrise Service at the Long’s House, bright and early at 6:30am. The sun was clearly visible down the river but did fully manifest itself until the Rev. Bobby Greene of Memorial Baptist was in the midst of his sermon. Catherine read twice, the opening prayer and the Apostles Creed and Nancy and Helmut provided the music for the opening hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” and “He Lives.”

By 11am we were basking in full sunlight with blue sky. Temperatures were in the 60’s. The Osprey were out building nests in the gentle breeze, certainly one of the memories of this week. 75+ people were in attendance augmented by some families – Longs and Dukes, especially. Bonnets were everywhere including Boyd’s. A great time to greet parishioners.|Easter is a time of celebration and that included music with Marilyn providing music inside during the lighting of the Paschal fire, Mary Lawrence on trumpet echoing the hymns, Brad performing the intricate “Prelude and Fugue in F major” (Bach) and the choir adding “Up from the Grave” during communion

We had 30 people on an overcast day with still a chill in the air. There was a “Good Friday” type of mood in the air – somewhat introspective thinking about what happened.|Certain images come to mind after tonight’s service. First the wonderful music. Marilyn played her best on” Domino”, an introspective but biting melody that could be easily remembered as Marilyn went through variations. A very moving rendition to say the least. The music swirled around the church|After the sermon was the veneration of the cross, the dramatic entrance of the cross. Then a chance for prayer and to put a taper in the sand in the front. By the end there were 18 candles and many prayers said.