Tag Archives: Holy Week

Good Friday – 7 April 2023

We strongly encourage you to wear a high-quality medical mask for in person attendance at worship. Although not required, this advice comes from the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health and Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health, and from diocesan guidelines. Wearing a mask while indoors in public is the best way to protect yourself and others.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream and the service will begin at 10 am. You are able to watch or re-watch it on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, all the responses, and the words of the hymns, to help you join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is Good Friday. This morning we gather in an empty church, and recall the trial, execution, death, and burial of Jesus. We venerate the cross–the symbol of how God takes evil and brings forth good, destroying death and bringing us into new life. We receive the reserved sacrament. And we depart in silence, waiting to gather and hear what comes next in what God does for us and the world. Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the day and the readings we’ll hear:

Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ’s death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devotion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently, and we anticipate the culmination of the Three Days in the Easter Vigil.

Maundy Thursday – 6 April 2023

We strongly encourage you to wear a high-quality medical mask for in person attendance at worship. Although not required, this advice comes from the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health and Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health, and from diocesan guidelines. Wearing a mask while indoors in public is the best way to protect yourself and others.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream will begin at about 6:45 pm, and the service will begin at 7 pm. You are able to watch or re-watch it on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, all the responses, and the words of the hymns, to help you join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is Maundy Thursday. Tonight we remember Jesus washing the feet of the disciples–and remember the service we’re called to by washing the feet of all who wish. We remember the giving of the new commandment, and the institution of the eucharist. After communion, the sacrament will be taken to the altar of repose in the chapel, and the church will be stripped bare. Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the day and the readings we’ll hear:

This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.

Sunday, 2 April – The Sunday of the Passion

We strongly encourage you to wear a high-quality medical mask for in person attendance at worship. Although not required, this advice comes from the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health and Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health, and from diocesan guidelines. Wearing a mask while indoors in public is the best way to protect yourself and others.

Coptic Icon of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream will begin at about 9:45 am, and the service will begin at 10 am. You are able to watch or re-watch it on YouTube at this link at any later time.

The order of service is available here. It includes the readings, all the responses, and the words of the hymns, to help you join in as fully as possible via the live-stream.

This is the Sunday of the Passion, with the Liturgy of the Palms Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the day and the readings we’ll hear:

Today, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the centre of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work.

Good Friday – April 15th, 2022

All are welcome to attend in-person services. We no longer need attendees to preregister, and you will be able to choose where to sit. One side of the church still has some pews blocked off to support those who need to maintain physical distancing. All entry to the building is from the King Street East main doors.

Everyone–without exception–must wear a mask properly at all times while inside the building.

You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream will begin at 10 am, and the service will remain viewable on YouTube thereafter.

You’re encouraged to keep the order of service handy: it has responses and hymn texts so you can join in as fully as possible from afar.

Pen & Ink drawing of Christ on the Cross

What’s so good about Good Friday? It gets its name from Old English: Gōd Frīġedæġ — God’s Friday. Today is the second part of our celebration of the Triduum–the Great Three Days–as we remember the trial, execution, death, and burial of Jesus. Together these events are often referred to as the Passion of Our Lord.

The first part of our service this day takes the form of the Way of the Cross: a series of short readings and prayers as we hear the proclamation of Jesus’s Passion, from his being condemned to death through his burial in the tomb.

In response to the Passion, we enter the second portion of the service: the Veneration of the Cross. Those worshipping in person may choose to come forward and bow before, or otherwise reverence, the large wooden cross that will be brought into the church; at home, you may wish to have a cross nearby to support your reflection. During the Veneration, we will share in reciting the Reproaches: remonstrances that lament our culpability in Jesus’s Passion and death.

Finally, the reserved sacrament–consecrated at our Maundy Thursday service the night before–will be brought back into the church from the altar of repose. We will receive the eucharist in silence, and then depart in that silence, awed at what God undertakes for us.

Maundy Thursday – April 14th, 2022 at 7 pm

All are welcome to attend in-person services. We no longer need attendees to preregister, and you will be able to choose where to sit. One side of the church still has some pews blocked off to support those who need to maintain physical distancing. All entry to the building is from the King Street East main doors.

Everyone–without exception–must wear a mask properly at all times while inside the building.

You can join in worshipping on Maundy Thursday, live or later, via YouTube. The live stream will begin at 6:45 pm with a welcome, followed by prelude music. The service will begin at 7 pm. The service will be posted to YouTube once the live stream concludes, and you can use the same link to join in later.

If you’re joining the service via the live stream, keep this order of service handy! It has all the responses and hymn texts you’ll need, together with some prayers you might choose to use to make spiritual communion during the reception of the eucharist.

Coptic Icon of the Footwashing

Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Triduum–the Great Three Days, in which we celebrate Jesus giving his life on the cross and conquering sin and death, raising us with him to new life in the resurrection.

It’s a busy night! We hear of the institution of the First Passover from the book of Exodus (12.1–14).

Next, we’ll hear John’s description of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples and giving them an example of the kind of servant life we are called to (John 13.1–17). Larry Collinson will offer a short reflection on the passage, and then offer the foot washing to all who wish to participate.

Then we hear the portion of John’s gospel that gives this day its name, as Jesus gives the new commandment to the disciples. (John 13.31–35). The Latin word ‘mandatum’ means commandment, and from mandatum we get the shortened form, ‘Maundy.’ Canon Mike Deed will be with us to offer a brief reflection, and then we’ll embody the instruction to love one another as we share the peace.

Coptic Icon of the Institution of the Eucharist

Our final portion of Scripture in this section of the service is the description to the Corinthians of the Institution of the Eucharist. (1 Corinthians 11.23–26). Our rector will offer a short reflection, and we will celebrate the Eucharist.

After all have received, the sacrament is placed into a monstrance. (More Latin: monstrare means ‘to show,’ and the monstrance is a vessel to show the Eucharist to adoring worshippers). A procession takes the sacrament out of the church and into the chapel as we sing a hymn.

A photo of the Garden of Gethsemane, 2017.

Finally, we hear one more portion of Scripture: Matthew recounts how Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, before being betrayed and arrested. (Matthew 26.30–50) While this passage is read, members of the parish strip the chancel and the sanctuary of their adornments. The rector washes the altar, and we depart in silence.

It’s helpful to think of the liturgy of the Tridduum as one service with a couple of distinct movements, like in a symphony. There is no blessing or dismissal as we make our way this night; nor will there be either on Good Friday. Instead, we wait–meditating on the staggering gift of God’s love for us, revealed in Our Lord’s Passion.

Sunday of the Passion with Liturgy of the Palms

Sunday, April 10th

A note about continuing Covid protocols. All are welcome to attend in-person services. We no longer need you to preregister, and you will be able to choose your own seat. One side of the church still has some pews blocked off to support people who need to maintain physical distancing. All entry to the building is from the King Street East main doors.

Everyone, without exception, must wear masks properly at all times while inside the building.

You can join in worshipping on Sunday, live or later, via YouTube. The live-stream begins at 9:45 with a welcome, followed by prelude music. The service will then begin at 10 am. The service will be posted to YouTube, and you can use the same link to join in later.

If you’re joining the service via the live-stream, keep this order of service handy! It has all the responses and hymn texts you’ll need, together with some special prayers you might choose to use during the reception of the eucharist.

Coptic Icon of the Triumphal Entry

This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. Our service will begin in the narthex with the Liturgy of the Palms, and then we’ll process into the church singing “All Glory, Laud and Honour.”

From the Hebrew scriptures, we’ll hear from the prophet Isaiah. This is the third of four of what are often called Servant Songs in Isaiah; this one speaks of the servant of the Lord submitting to suffering. (Isaiah 50.4-9a)

Then from the gospels, we’ll hear Luke’s account of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem. (Luke 19.28-40) Though we often call today Palm Sunday, Luke’s description of the moment doesn’t mention anything about palm branches! He focuses instead on the people laying their cloaks on the road before Jesus’s path, and their rejoicing in the new future they hope that Jesus will bring.

Here’s what Sundays and Seasons says about this day and its readings:

Today we follow Christ from triumphal entry to the cross, each waypoint of the journey marked by Jesus’ compassion for those who would betray, mock, accuse, or do violence to him. Though persecuted and beaten, Jesus the Son of God is not disgraced; instead, he asks forgiveness for those who put him to death. We have walked the Lenten pathway these forty days, each of us invited through baptism to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” We enter this holy week accompanying Jesus to the cross with both grief and thanksgiving in our hearts, trusting in God’s redeeming love.

Be sure to join in Holy Week Services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, too!