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.

We had 28 on a beautiful night with several visitors. While remaining cool, the clear conditions provided a wonderful backdrop for the service. Today we had the added benefit of watching osprey watch over a nest they are a making in an old sycamore tree in the front. This takes the old and brings new life, which is a theme of Easter.|Marilyn brought her new 60 string harp tonight for the first time and graced us with music in the prelude “Near the Cross and in the ending Keep Watch segment. Helmut and Nancy provided a vocal and violin duet in the offertory “O Loving Father.” Helmut also provided the mounful accompaniment to the foot washing in “Abendsegen (Evening Blessing).”

Tenebrae on April 16, 2014 was the opening of the Holy Week services. After several warmer than normal days, we had a refreshing (but cold!) rain on Monday day and Monday night that set the stage for a day with glorious sunshine and mild temperatures. We had 20 at Tenebrae which was a good turnout. This was an unusual service with its own Liturgy. 14 candles are lit and extinguished gradually throughout the service until one is left. “This service makes use of the power of light and sound to emphasize the darkness of death. The service ends on a note of hope. One candle remains, a solitary light in the darkness into which we depart.

Jim Heinbach introduced the service saying it was the 25th anniversary of the service St. Peter’s had a prominent role this year – Helmut as the chairman of the Ruritans providing the opening prayer, Catherine and Helmut leading the group with the music at the beginning and end. Alex reading the Apostle’s Creed and Catherine’s sermon. Her sermon is

We had 61 at our 11am Easter service which is close to the average over the last few years. There were some notable contributions. Charles McGuire provided the wonderful flower arrangement up front with the lilies adorned with cherry blossoms and curly willow. Cally had a gold egg and a basked of easter eggs to share with the Godly play children. Bonnets galore – it was wonderful seeing Myrtle there. Other bonnets present included Cookie, Andrea, Cherry (back from Florida), Marilyn and Barbara.|Easter is a time of celebration and that included music with Josh Sylke on the trumpet echoing the hymns, Brad performing the intricate ” Prelude and Fugue in A-minor ” (Bach) and the Helmut adding “Alleluia” during communion.

We had 17 people on an overcast day but warm in the 70’s. There was a “Good Friday” type of mood in the air – somewhat introspective thinking about what happened. Somewhat forboding looking outside. A severe storm was predicted but did not occur. In the midst of the gloom, spring is developing – the dogwoods are out, daffodils, hyacinths. The magnolia tree may be in full bloom at Easter.|After the sermon was the veneration of the cross, the dramatic entrance of the cross. It is slow but dramatic as it is raised and placed on the altar. Then a chance for prayer and to put a taper in the sand in the front and a rose in the vase. By the end there were 14 candles and many prayers said.

Our Maundy Thursday service on April 2 was handled differently this year. The crowd was small at 15 so that we could hold the first part of the service outside on a beautiful spring evening. Footwashing, homily, Liturgy of the Word, Communion were outside. After this we went inside for hymns – “What wonderous love is this”, “As in that upper room”, ” Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love” and “In remembrance of me” and the stripping of the altar singing “Stay with Me” continuously. A full moon greeted us through the windows of St. Peter’s as we departed in silence.

We had 18 at Tenebrae which was a good turnout, though two less than last year. This is an unusual service with its own Liturgy. There is only music – the readings carry the service. And it is not from the traditional Gospel readings. The readings range from Lamentations in the Old Testament to commentary from St Augustine, and at last a reading from Hebrews, in which the theology of Gods saving grace through Jesus Christ our great high priest is presented for our consideration. The Psalms dominate the service.

The day started out early for some of us at the Long’s for the 7am Sunrise service. Unfortunately, while the son came up briefly it was soon hidden by the advancing cloud cover.|St. Peter’s was well represented in scripture and song. Nancy and Helmut performed twice on “Because He Lives” and “Victory in Jesus.” Catherine provided the opening prayer and Gospel reading. Both Memorial Baptist and Shiloh were represented. Rev Joe Dobbin of Shiloh presented the sermon on “First 7 Words After Resurrection.”|The Longs offered a wonderful reception with various egg, sausage casseroles, doughnut, hash browns.