We are a small Episcopal Church on the banks of the Rappahannock in Port Royal, Virginia. We acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the first people of Port Royal, the Nandtaughtacund, and we respect and honor with gratitude the land itself, the legacy of the ancestors, and the life of the Rappahannock Tribe. Our mission statement is to do God’s Will in all that we do.

Holy Week

Good Friday videos, April 7, 2023

The service has 6 parts 1.  an entrance in silence,  2. readings which include the John 18:1-19:42 Passion reading, 3  the Solemn Collects, 4 The Entrance of the Cross, the Veneration of the Cross, 5 Musical Meditations and 6 Conclusion. 

The first reading is from Isaiah, the ever present Psalm 22, and Hebrews. John’s Passion Gospel reading, John 18:1-19:42.

Entire service

Selections from the service:

1. Opening Acclamation

2 “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” – Larry Saylor, Helmut Linne von Berg

3. Passion Reading

4. Sermon – The Rev. Catherine Hicks

5. “O sacred head, sore wounded”- Denise Gregory, piano. Mary Peterman, flute

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Sunday Links, Holy Week and Easter, April 9, 2023

  • Web site
  • YouTube St. Peter’s Page for viewing services
  • Facebook St. Peter’s Page

    • The week that changed the world continues to change our lives

  • The Psalms study Mon., April 3, 7:00pm Zoom link Meeting ID: 873 0418 9375 Passcode: 092098. We will cover Psalms 15-23 and concentrate on 22 since it is heard on Good Friday, coming up.
  • Ecumenical Bible Study, Wed., April 4, 10am-12pm in the Parish House.
    • Reading the lectionary for April 9, Easter Sunday

  • Holy Week Services. In the church and on YouTube, St. Peter’s Page

    • Wednesday, April 5, 7PM—TENEBRAE Description

    Thursday, April 6, 7PM—MAUNDY THURSDAY Description

    Friday, April 7, 7PM—GOOD FRIDAY Description

    Sunday, April 9, 7AM – EASTER SUNRISE at the home of Alex and Nancy Long

    Sunday, April 9, 11AM – EASTER SUNDAY HOLY EUCHARIST AT ST PETER’S Description

  • April, 2023 Newsletter
  • Stations of the Cross in our churchyard

    • Meditate on the last hours of Jesus’ life by walking the Stations of the Cross. Mary Peterman’s moving watercolors and the text for each station are on a series of fourteen banners which you will find placed outside the church for quiet meditation either in solitude or in small groups.

  • All articles for Holy Week and Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023

    • Sunrise Service, 2018

    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.

    Best of Holy Week, 2018, March 25 – April 1

    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.

    Best of Holy Week and Easter, April 13-20, 2014

    From Palm Sunday to Easter, 2014 we held 5 services with 203 in attendance, compared to 166 in 2013. 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 shared and proclaimed the resurrection.

    Sunrise Service, April 20, 2014

    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.”

    Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014

    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