While we’re in the penitential season of Lent, we are preparing for Easter. The most important week of the year is “Holy Week,” where we retell the passion and resurrection of Jesus. At All Saints’ we’re having services at each major event of the week and we hope you will join us for some or all of them!
Palm Sunday - April 13, 10:30am (no 8:30am service)
We celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. We start outside waving palm branches and march into the church in a loud procession saying “Hosanna in the Highest!” We also read the Passion narrative in an exciting and dramatic fashion where each character in the story is assigned to a different reader.
The Easter Triduum
The “Three Days” of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and The Great Vigil of Easter are considered one continuous worship service. Through special liturgies and music, we retrace Jesus’ footsteps: the Last Supper, his Passion, his crucifixion, the waiting in the tomb, and his resurrection on Easter morning. It is a dramatic transformation from the darkest moments of Jesus’ life, the entering of light, and the blazing light of eternal life through Jesus’ resurrection.
There are no benedictions or dismissals between each evening, and we enter and leave in silent reverence. It is best experienced by attending all three services in a row. We hope you will join us for this intensely spiritual experience!
There are no benedictions or dismissals between each evening, and we enter and leave in silent reverence. It is best experienced by attending all three services in a row. We hope you will join us for this intensely spiritual experience!
Maundy Thursday - April 17, 7pm
We celebrate “The Last Supper” between Jesus and his disciples. He anticipates his crucifixion and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Join us for the Ceremony of Foot Washing representing service and discipleship. At the end is a solemn recitation of Psalm 22 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” while the altar is stripped of it’s vestments and decorations. It reveals the bare wood of the altar, not unlike the bare wood cross which functioned as an altar for the Lamb of God.
Stations of the Cross - April 18, 4pm
Deacon Connie leads us in the footsteps of Jesus’ passion. This is especially geared toward families and all our kids are welcome to experience Jesus in a more friendly context.
Good Friday - April 18, 7pm
We commemorate Jesus’ death on the cross and his entombment. It is probably the darkest service of the year. We read the Passion from John and sing “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”, often called the “Passion Chorale.” The choir sings the Latin anthem Ecce, quomodo moritur (See How the Just One Dies) in an unbroken centuries-old tradition from the time of J.S. Bach.
The Great Vigil of Easter - April 19, 7pm
The final service in the Easter Triduum is a service of waiting and celebration. It starts with the procession of the light and the Paschal Candle into the church using 1,000 year-old chants. As a counterpoint to the Christmas Season’s Lessons and Carols service, the Vigil is a collection of readings and special music to meditate on God’s actions in the world. Then we celebrate the first Eucharist of Eastertide with joy.
Grace Episcopal Church of Ossining will join us at All Saints’ along with members of other local Westchester County parishes. In a special treat, Bishop Mary Glasspool will be celebrating with us! Come and show your support before her retirement in June. This unique experience is a must-see!
Grace Episcopal Church of Ossining will join us at All Saints’ along with members of other local Westchester County parishes. In a special treat, Bishop Mary Glasspool will be celebrating with us! Come and show your support before her retirement in June. This unique experience is a must-see!
Easter Sunday - April 20, 10:30am
We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and his triumph over death. It is a huge contrast with the preceding Lent season with endless joy and praise. We will “pull out all the stops” with special music and brass players, classic hymns (Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today, Hail Thee Festival Day) along with more modern selections (In Christ Alone, Because He Lives).
Easter Egg Hunt - April 20, 12 noon
In a special treat for the kids, we are also having an Easter Egg Hunt after the Easter Sunday service! All our little Saints can go out among the grounds and Parish Hall and collect any eggs they can find filled with treats. Can you imagine the fun?!
We are looking for volunteers to help with the hunt logistics. Please contact Tessa Tokke at [email protected] if you are interested.
On Easter Sunday, we will also have an extended coffee hour to have fellowship together. Thanks to Mike Cavanaugh for coordinating!
We are looking for volunteers to help with the hunt logistics. Please contact Tessa Tokke at [email protected] if you are interested.
On Easter Sunday, we will also have an extended coffee hour to have fellowship together. Thanks to Mike Cavanaugh for coordinating!
