Thread: Holy Week Services Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, here we go again....

Our Palm Sunday Liturgy had to be held entirely indoors, owing to the wind and rain in this part of the UK - but a small congregation in a big church does have room to move about, and we duly made the most of our spacious nave and aisles this morning. The singing was good, too, so HW has got off to a good start for us.

How was it for you?

Ian J.
 

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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
We have the opposite problem in central Arizona. We used to start the Palm Sunday service outdoors, but it is too hot this time of year, so we start in the Parish Hall and process to the church. I really don't like doing this, but that's the way it goes.

At least the Easter Vigil can start outside in the courtyard.
 

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Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Our Palm Sunday Liturgy had to be held entirely indoors, owing to the wind and rain in this part of the UK.

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But better than the blizzard of two years ago (in Suffolk!) Here it - annoyingly - dried up during the service.

One question - we read (and joined in with) the St. Matthew Passion Narrative. I like that ... but I'd prefer to focus on the Entry on Jerusalem, and do the Passion on Friday.

Of course the real problem is not having a Sunday in between ...!

[ 29. March 2015, 13:26: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
 

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Posted by Adam. (# 4991) on :
 
Our outdoor procession precedes the main Mass only, which starts in 54 minutes. We're trying a new starting place this year, which should make us more visible to the neighborhood and passers-by. I have the late Mass today, and a Palm Sunday procession starting in the dark would be a bit strange, so we'll do the entry gospel at the back of church and then process in. This will actually be my first time reading the Christ part of the Passion. I have to balance one the one hand my ancient language geek (Aramaic! ooh!) and thormer fespian geek, with the other hand of the identification with Christ's self-gift.
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
We went to the early service as we usually do. This family service, an all age one today, had a reenactment of the entry into Jerusalem complete with Jesus on a wooden donkey and the children dramatically flinging down their coats in front of him. Also an action song (tell me I'm not the only person here who likes them) and a clip from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. All great warm family stuff. Then we stayed on for the second service as Mr Nen was doing the projection. This was a smaller and more sedate congregation, where the sermon went on for longer and was meatier.
 

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Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
It was damp at our place but not so much that it prevented the procession outside, which went well and the donkey was very good.

Services every day this week: Stations of the Cross and Compline for the first three evenings, then Commemoration of the Lord's Supper, etc, etc, etc.
 

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Posted by moonlitdoor (# 11707) on :
 
I'll be going to the stations of the cross tomorrow night, and if I like it I'll go Tuesday and Wednesday too. It is my first time and I don't really know what to expect. I know what the stations of the cross are as pictures, but not what it means as a service.
 

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Posted by Rosa Winkel (# 11424) on :
 
I went to an Anglican service in Warsaw today (in the parish of.....Poland) for the first time.

We had about 35 people (people were still coming in dribs and drabs till the Peace), more or less filling out the pews and chairs of the chapel. At one stage we went processing out through the sacristy, the back courtyard and round the front, getting bemused looks from Poles hearing us sing in English (saying that, about 10 of us were Poles).

We were given out the traditional Polish palms (a picture showing what I mean is here), though some like me had brought their own.

The palms weren't blessed and while the assisting priest wore a red stole, the celebrant wore a purple one. There was good playing from the organist.
 

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Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Wind and heavy rain meant we could't start ouside.

We did a figure of 8 procession in church - amusingly, a latecomer with her guide dog help u the procession.

So dog instead of a donkey.
 

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Posted by Liturgylover (# 15711) on :
 
The threat of heavy rain (which didn't materialise) meant that when we assembled with the brass band for the procession there were only about 80 in total, but when we arrived at the Church there was a good crowd waiting to greet the us.
 

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Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :
 
I live in a historical Brazilian city with many churches, so lots of processions here. I walked in a procession this morning (palm leaves are easy to come by here ) and then I went to Mass. The reading was Mark 15, which I found five days too early.
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
Quite thought the indoor procession would cause a huge traffic jam, but somehow we unwound ourselves, and found ourselves back in our original places, just as they hymn ended.

For the first time, we didn't have to stand for the very long Passion reading, for which I was very glad.

The children's play at the end was very well written, so it had a message for all ages: God's way is not our way (or the way of the original onlookers, either).
 

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Posted by Stephen (# 40) on :
 
It was very windy in my part of the world too, so we had the blessing of palms at the west end then a figure of 8 procession - down the central aisle across to the south transept and up, down the central aisle again across to the north transept and up and down our old friend the central aisle again! If you're going to do processions you might as well do it in style!

Setting was to Ireland in C and we had the usual suspects for the hymns.....
 

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Posted by TonyK (# 35) on :
 
Normal 7 minute procession between our two churches was abandoned - first time in many years, according to the 'oldtimers' - and we assembled in the old open-sided Market Hall for the Palm Sunday Gospel reading (by yours truly, in the teeth of most of a gale!) then processed the 150 yards to the church.

What it lacked in impact was more than replaced by wind and driving rain...

At least there were few onlookers...

Perhaps next year will be better!
 

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Posted by FCB (# 1495) on :
 
We did our traditional ecumenical procession with the Presbyterians and Episcopalians through the neighborhood. It was cold, but we warmed things up with heartier than usual singing.

The procession always arrives at our church about 20 minutes before the appointed time for Mass (due to the schedules of the other churches). Most of the people at Mass don't participate in the procession so we repeat the Palm gospel before the entrance into the church.
 

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Posted by PaulBC (# 13712) on :
 
Our catherdrals Palm Sunday procession was to have started in a park next door BUT given Victoria BC's rainy weather we started on the steps of the catherdral then processed around the interior of the church ending up coming down the nave. Interesting and well done.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
We were not at church for the 7 am service, but at 8 there was the Palm Sunday reading, followed by a short procession through the church grounds. Then the full Passion reading for the Gospel and no sermon. At 10 there was a procession through the streets with the local Catholic and Uniting Churches. There was the Palm Sunday reading and blessing of the palms we carried, and the asperges. Again the full Passion reading for the Gospel and no sermon. During the procession in the streets, we sang All glory laud and honour multiple times, then Ride on, ride on in majesty for that in church. Lots of smoke from us and the Catholics (none from the the Uniters).
 

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Posted by bib (# 13074) on :
 
We gathered in the forecourt by the west door for preliminary readings, prayers and blessing and distribution of palm crosses. Then we all processed singing into church, the procession doing a figure of eight which caused some bottle necks. Thankfully this year we were invited to sit for the very long passion reading. In my opinion the service was too long, particularly for young children, as it took about 2 hours to complete everything from the opening to the final blessing and procession out.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
A bit of drizzle set in so our narthex and baptistery became "outside Jerusalem" ... from there we processed, and sang (with two choirs) and read the Passion in voices, and made our communion, with solemn choral Mass (mainly Giovanni Gabrieli with an NZ plainsong by Peter Godfrey thrown in for the bits Gabrieli didn't cover ...) and I was buzzing

...until bailed up for banalities in the minutes afterwards by people who had no sense that perhaps in the post-liturgical; comedown we don't need to discuss toilets, miscreant clergy or the colour of doilies ...
 

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Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
But such is the joy of belonging to the Church, which combines heavenly glories with the mundanities of ordinary life - and is the better for so doing.

Nevertheless, some people certainly can be extremely insensitive to issues of time and place!
 

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Posted by Adam. (# 4991) on :
 
Would it be possible to rename this thread "Palm Sunday" and have separate threads for some of the other Holy Week services?
 

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Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
It was very chilly in the Chicago area yesterday, but we had a robust Palm procession! We gather in the parish hall for a brief liturgy of the palms; then process out the side door, out to the main sidewalk, then down the block a bit to the front door of the church. We had the best crowd in years: it took all five verses of "All Glory, Laud and Honor," sung through twice to get everyone into church! Our choirmaster had raided my supply of rhythm-band instruments, so the children had little drums, shakers, and bells to add to the festivity.

Our new rector has moved the reading of the Passion to the end of the liturgy, and I like that very much -- it seems people focus much better, and leaving the church in silence is very affecting. We had five or six people reading the various roles, with a narrator, and of course the crowd parts. There was a very long pause after Jesus breathed his last, and you could hear a pin drop, even with so many children in church.
 

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Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
This year my church decided to hold an Easter Egg Hunt directly after the last service on Palm Sunday. This meant that the earlier service was sparsely attended and blessedly calm. All the little ones (and their parents) were at the later service, and vast hordes of non-churchgoers turned up for the Hunt as well. There were so many children that it was something like standing in the surf at the shore -- a roaring tide rushing past you on either side with a loud noise.
I had foolishly agreed to meet some elderly friends in front of the church and it was impossible. We adjourned to a nearby restaurant and agreed that it is possibly a good thing, when there is a seething horde of people at church all shrieking with excitement.
 

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Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
This year my church decided to hold an Easter Egg Hunt directly after the last service on Palm Sunday.

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Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Mamacita:
There was a very long pause after Jesus breathed his last, and you could hear a pin drop, even with so many children in church.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
This year my church decided to hold an Easter Egg Hunt directly after the last service on Palm Sunday. This meant that the earlier service was sparsely attended and blessedly calm. All the little ones (and their parents) were at the later service, and vast hordes of non-churchgoers turned up for the Hunt as well. There were so many children that it was something like standing in the surf at the shore -- a roaring tide rushing past you on either side with a loud noise.
I had foolishly agreed to meet some elderly friends in front of the church and it was impossible. We adjourned to a nearby restaurant and agreed that it is possibly a good thing, when there is a seething horde of people at church all shrieking with excitement.

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Sorry, did you really just use the words "church", "Palm Sunday" and "Easter Egg hunt" in the same sentence?

If this is true, your Priest/Minister/whatever urgently needs to go back to theological college for retraining.
 

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Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
We did the whole thing at 11. Blessing of the palms at the altar, including the lesson from Exodus and the Palm Gospel. Vested in red for the blessing and procession out the side door of the church and around, back in through the front door.

Upon arrival in the sanctuary changed everything to violet and then went on with the Mass, starting with the Introit. Didn't get a chanted Passion this year, but we're shooting for next year; we want to use Burgess' edition with the turbae by Victoria.

All went well, and the retiring doyenne of the Altar Guild catered a barbecue lunch for all & sundry afterward, in place of coffee hour. Very nice!

Still on the plate : Evening Prayer on Wednesday, Maundy Thursday Mass, Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and then Easter Sunday followed by a well-deserved collapse.
 

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Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
It wasn't my idea, I assure you. The rector's idea was to rake in tons and tons of people, and yeah, that being the plan it worked great. Certainly a great many unchurched people were there. And it is true that if you hook the kids you get the parents in. But the level of sugar-powered noise was stupendous. And at least it wasn't Good Friday.
 

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Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
What's next--Midnight Mass on December 18?
 

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Posted by Barefoot Friar (# 13100) on :
 
We began outside (it was chilly but glorious) with the reading of the Gospel of the Palms. We made our way into the church singing "Hosanna Loud Hosanna", and then sang "All Glory, Laud, and Honor". Then we switched gears into the liturgy of the passion, with two readers helping me to read the entire (long form) Passion Gospel reading. I had one reading the narration bits, one reading the quotation bits, and I read Jesus' bits. I made sure the congregation shouted "Crucify him!" at the appropriate places, and had them stand when we got to Golgotha. After the Gospel, I didn't preach, but we had a moment of silence before continuing with the Creed, the prayers, and the offering. Finally, I used BCP Eucharistic prayer A (although I admit I like the UMC's prayer a wee bit better) and we sang "And Can it Be" as the recessional hymn. All in all, it was quite moving and beautiful. I had veiled the crosses and turned the paraments to red, using a trick Carys taught me to turn our bright red Pentecost paraments to the appropriate shade of dark red.

We have services all week long at lunchtime at one of my two churches; a different pastor from a community church is preaching each day. We have proper Holy Week services at the other on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Easter is going to be utterly glorious. We're worshiping outside if the weather will let us for the 7AM community service, and then the 11 service will be with all the smells and bells -- sans the smells, because I have a parishioner whom I will literally kill if we use smoke.

A wonderful, amazing, busy, tiring time of year. I love it.
 

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Posted by GCabot (# 18074) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Mamacita:
There was a very long pause after Jesus breathed his last, and you could hear a pin drop, even with so many children in church.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Adam.:
Would it be possible to rename this thread "Palm Sunday" and have separate threads for some of the other Holy Week services?

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Having just attended the first Compline of Holy Week, I vote we just carry on with other HW services on this thread, updating as the week progresses.

I love the wonderful sense of peace and calm that descends during a late evening Compline. And so silently home to bed (after first reporting on the Ship...)
 

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Posted by Rosa Winkel (# 11424) on :
 
An Easter Egg hunt on Palm Sunday doesn't surprise me totally

The priest of a church where I used to sing decided, one year, to do a special evening service for those who had known people who had died within the last year, including their names being read out. Which was fair enough, it's just that a few mutterings of "we have All Souls for that" could be heard.

I just remembered that the Gloria was sung at the Eucharist I went to yesterday. The Director of Music said that the Gloria was "essential" to the Mass setting...
 

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Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on :
 
There's a Presbyterian church in San Francisco that programs a Requiem setting to be performed every Good Friday, without fail.

"Rest eternal grant Jesus, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him."

#notclearontheconcept
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Barefoot Friar:
Then we switched gears into the liturgy of the passion, with two readers helping me to read the entire (long form) Passion Gospel reading. I had one reading the narration bits, one reading the quotation bits, and I read Jesus' bits. I made sure the congregation shouted "Crucify him!" at the appropriate places, and had them stand when we got to Golgotha.

We have services all week long at lunchtime at one of my two churches; a different pastor from a community church is preaching each day. We have proper Holy Week services at the other on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Easter is going to be utterly glorious. We're worshiping outside if the weather will let us for the 7AM community service, and then the 11 service will be with all the smells and bells -- sans the smells, because I have a parishioner whom I will literally kill if we use smoke.

A wonderful, amazing, busy, tiring time of year. I love it.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Adam.:
Would it be possible to rename this thread "Palm Sunday" and have separate threads for some of the other Holy Week services?

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(hosting) Probably not because we'll keep on rolling ... ( / hosting)

... so just my third 7.00 am eucharist for the week, my fifth eucharist in a week that is feeling increasingly arduous. Perfunctory liturgy delivered paradoxically with maximal pomposity, platitudinous comment vaguely relating to something in the newspaper or somewhere, and an order of service that is designed for nursing homes.

Where do I sign up to become a Quaker? Or do I control-freak and do everything my (humble ) self?
 

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Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
Time to kick some arses, Mr Dean...?
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
Another quiet, peaceful, candlelit Compline tonight. Except I'd been asked to fill in a review form for a person in training, who was taking the service - I did my best to retain the atmosphere. Fortunately, it went really well, so I was not too much discombobulated.
 

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Posted by Adam. (# 4991) on :
 
Chrism Mass last night went well. The (co-)cathedral was packed, standing room only. It was a much calmer service for me this year than last, when I was one of the deacons of the Mass. Not quite at my one year anniversary, this was my first time renewing my priestly promises. It was a good time of refreshment and renewal, but I found myself mostly focusing on prayer for those I have anointed and those preparing for various anointings coming up soon. There seemed to be much more of a focus on the use of the oils in the sacraments of initiation than on priesthood this year.
 

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Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
Very moving sermon from the Bishop of Liverpool at yesterday's Chrism mass. Not above poking some dead horses either.
 

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Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Our P-in-C went to +Richborough's Chrism Mass at Canterbury today. Having spoken to +Norman and ++Justin this morning, he bagged his third Bishop of the day at our next-door parish's Taize service.......our Diocesan, James, was present, as guest pianist, no less!

+James is conducting Stations of the Cross at another nearby parish on Wednesday, and is with us for our Good Friday Liturgy as preacher.....I guess multi-tasking goes with the job.

Ian J.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Albertus:
Time to kick some arses, Mr Dean...?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
At our church Easter starts at oh-dark-hundred with a fire, in a firepit out front. This fire is kindled with cards upon which (at Good Friday services) people have written their sins, hopefully in an illegible hand. From this fire the Paschal Candle is lit and then we swing into the 'lumen Christi' thing and the Easter procession.

What is fun, because of course it is very dark and usually cold, is that there is a webcam set up to film the fire. This is projected or shown or however it is one does it, on the big screens inside the sanctuary. Thus one may sit on a comfortable pew in the warm, and watch the Rector light the Paschal candle in the predawn darkness as a stiff breeze threatens to set his stole alight.

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This describes exactly our experience last year when, for the first time, Mr Nen and I attended the Easter morning dawn service at our local Anglican church. However, it was without the firecam so we all stood outside in the cold trying to stay upwind of the billowing smoke.

We were stunned at the length of the service, which included full sung Eucharist and renewal of baptismal vows. We were due at our usual morning service at the Baptist church and almost didn't make it.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
We are just home from the Maundy Thursday service - numbers down a fair bit, I'd say probably around 70. Smaller numbers earlier in the week of course. As usual, the service this evening was very moving, but for some reason Psalm 22 was not chanted by the choir as the altar was stripped. An excellent sermon, enough there to think about for a week, but there'll be another in the morning.
 

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Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :
 
A couple of inches of snow overnight. Noon Wednesday filled the chapel of the church. The snow and treacherous road conditions will keep people from venturing out. We've snow forecast until next week now. -- we don't generally do the outside dawn services, the vigil, inside, being the emphasis.

Such conditions have always made us wonder how a cold, snowy Easter would have been in the Middle East. Faster if outside services.
 

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Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
....dunno, but it's likely to be 18-20C and sunny in Jerusalem this w/e!

(probably raining/cloudy in SE UK, though......)

Ian J.
 

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Posted by Adam. (# 4991) on :
 
Meant to be processing from the church to the altar of repose set up in the school cafeteria tonight, but there are possible thunderstorms forecast. Hope this goes OK!
 

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Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Yes - I am leading the procession from one church in the benefice to the other after the mass of the last supper to the altar of repose in the other church - rain forecast so I can now see the point of those 'omnbrellinos' that some carry over the blessed sacrament
 

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Posted by Wm Dewy (# 16712) on :
 
We had a very nice Tenebrae service last night with two good cantors and the congregation of a dozen or fifteen people singing the plainsong psalms. It started before twilight, but it got quite dark before the end. The readers swithed off too often, but next year, Jerusalem.
 

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Posted by Qoheleth. (# 9265) on :
 
Maundy Thursday mass - busiest service of the year, and the thurifer* failed to check his stance and clobbered one of the sanctuary lamps with the 360' at the end of the canon. Crash. Smithereens of red glass. Barely suppressed giggles from the celebrant and altar party. Nothing daunted, broken glass cleared up in a liturgically reverent manner during the Lords Prayer and completed the evening with a wet purificator wound round a bleeding finger.


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*[your humble author]
 

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Posted by Arethosemyfeet (# 17047) on :
 
See, the worst I did was stub a bare toe on the sanctuary steps while stripping the communion table in the dark.

But I also nearly cried watching an elderly and disabled member of the congregation, supported by the minister and the organist, determined to wash the feet of his neighbour.
 

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Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :
 
Palm Sunday for me this year a new experience, as I began work as organist at a large Benedictine abbey just after Christmas.

Palm liturgy outside (at what I guess was the original monastery entrance). A sort of metrical psalm (I think) chanted as the procession headed for the church, accompanied by hand chimes. I was prepared not to like that, but it was very effective. I was sitting at the organ, poised to hit 'All Glory Laud' and I was quite moved by the way it all worked.
The passion was sung by 3 EXCELLENT cantors, with 9 of the brethren singing choral 'turba' parts in a setting written by one of the monks -- stunning! We sang Lotti's 'Vere languores' (sp?) at the offertory, and 'O Sacred Head' after communion. I got feisty and used the fancy JSB harmonization for the final stanza, coupling it with Virgil Fox's 'dying organ' accompaniment. I was just a bit nervous about it, but it was well received.
Time to sign off and go to warm-up rehearsal for tonight's liturgy.
 

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Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Just back from our Maundy Thursday service.

Mass for Four voices and Ave verum by Byrd, Duruflé's Ubi caritas et amor, then the plainsong psalms chanted in an almost entirely dark church.

The junior choristers were awe-struck.
 

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Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Minimalist MT service for us, but with foot-washing, congregation all gathered around the altar for the Eucharistic Prayer and Communion, procession to the Altar of Repose (in the Lady Chapel), followed by silent stripping of the altars etc.

The Faithful Few, I guess, remained for the Watch until Compline at 1045pm (i.e. just about now).

Ian J.
 

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Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by L'organist:
Just back from our Maundy Thursday service.

Mass for Four voices and Ave verum by Byrd, Duruflé's Ubi caritas et amor, then the plainsong psalms chanted in an almost entirely dark church.

The junior choristers were awe-struck.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
We washed each others' feet -- i.e., the person whose feet was just washed, washed the feet of the next person in line, etc. It took me completely by surprise but it was very moving.

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We always do it this way in my parish and it is incredibly moving every time.

The big news was that this year, for the first time that I can remember, the servers candles weren't blown out by the wind as we processed to the altar of repose, which was set up in the rectory across the street from the church.
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
For Maundy Thursday, we had our usual small dinner in the church--Vietnamese curry soup and bread, with various fruits and cakes--and the Lord's Supper at table, with readings up to Gethsemane. Very quiet.

While putting things away after communion, I fell foul of the Americans stripping the altar at the very same time and bringing everything into the tiny sacristy we share--so had to be quiet as a mouse and hide out in the dark at the back, as the American congregation can hear everything with the door open.

[ 03. April 2015, 13:05: Message edited by: Lamb Chopped ]
 

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Posted by daisymay (# 1480) on :
 
We had our church this afternoon and lots speak about Jesus and also lots singing about Jesus.
It was very good in the church and we were given bread and not wine !
We also had a big brown one about what He was in and we all went part of it.
 

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Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Minimalist GF Liturgy at ours, but all complete with Passion Gospel, Homily by our Diocesan, Intercessions, Veneration of the Cross and Communion from last evening's Reserved Sacrament.

An eclectic trio of hymns:
Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle during the Veneration (plainsong tune, but not sung very well, I'm afraid);
A purple robe during Communion (guitar and three voices - beautifully played and sung);
When I survey the wondrous cross just before the final prayer, and sung with great gusto, vim, vigour, and enthusiasm!

Three major services down......one to go....

Ian J.
 

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Posted by moonfruit (# 15818) on :
 
Having grown up in a non-liturgical tradition, I really appreciate 'living through' Holy Week in my current C of E church.

This week has consisted of Compline Mon, Tues, Weds, then Eucharist and Vigil on Thursday - the stripping of the altar always hugely moving as the choir chant Ps. 22.

Then today Stations of the Cross, using a selection of the Bread Broken posters by Sr. Mary Stephen CRSS, with readings, prayers and both choir and congregational items interspersed throughout. About 35 in attendance, including the choir, so not a bad show.
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
Went to the first hour, for a change, and was bowled over by how many people turned up - there were not enough service booklets to go around! Very impressive thoughtful meditations on Mark's Gospel readings, prayers and hymns. Then missed Stations of Cross (middle hour) as getting ready in choir vestry for final hour. Sang 'God so loved the world' as cross processed through nave and into chancel. Knee-crippling wait on stone floor for slow-moving administration, but I suppose we were meant to partake, in a small way, in the much greater suffering of Jesus Christ.

The best part, for me, was seeing the children's Easter Garden with the stone still across the tomb - I don't normally see it until rolled away on Easter Day.
 

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Posted by Rosa Winkel (# 11424) on :
 
My local RC church was ramming for the Holy Friday Liturgy this evening (today isn't a public holiday, in Poland, bizarrely). The service lasted about two hours, the kissing of the Crucifix took an absolute age, accompanied by the singing of about ten hymns/pieces.

Afterwards I stayed for the adoration of the holy grave, complete with a monstrance on top; I've never seen any such use of a Sacrament (Ciboriums were also in evidence behind a veil) before. Anyway, I found this all moving.
 

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Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
At our church everybody files up to the front; your feet are washed and then you wash. Much removal of shoes and socks in pews, hard luck on you if you foolishly wore pantyhose.
A vast huge stock of bath-sized towels has been laid on for this, in a color that matches the carpeting. (They are also used whenever there is an immersion baptism.) I brought an armload of them home to run through the washing machine.
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Just back from Good Friday Tenebrae service with communion--yes, I know, shocking. we're Lutherans.

quote:

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Ruht wohl, ruht wohl, ihr heiligen Gebeine,
Die ich nun weiter nicht beweine,
Ruht wohl und bringt auch mich zur Ruh!
Das Grab, so euch bestimmet ist
Und ferner keine Not umschließt,
Macht mir den Himmel auf und schließt die Hölle zu.

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quote:

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Rest well, rest well, O holy bones,
And I will cease my weeping,
Rest well, and bring me also to rest!
The grave that is prepared for Thee
and holds no further pain, for me
opens heaven and shuts off hell.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
Just back from Good Friday Tenebrae service with communion--yes, I know, shocking. we're Lutherans.

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* Leaf coughs politely *
Lutheran liturgical practice varies. Holy Communion on Good Friday is unknown to me.
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Hey, I didn't know you were Lutheran! I'm guessing the difference is down to heritage and place. We're Vietnamese, out of German-American.
 

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Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Our practice on Easter Eve/Holy Saturday is to have a simple by-the-book 1662 BCP Matins, instead of our usual Mass, followed by much to-ing and fro-ing as the Church is prepared for Easter Sunday (no Vigil at Our Place at the moment ).

OK so far, but then...... O CALAMITY!!!! Father suddenly tells us that he is feeling unwell, and possibly coming down with the Dreaded Lurgy! What to do - supposing he is not able to be in Church tomorrow? Quick thinking by Blue-Scarfed Menace (me), and on to Plan B (we have a reputation for efficacious Plans B).

A retired PTO priest who usually worships with us is possibly due at a neighbouring parish tomorrow, but we're not sure, so a quick phone call and message. No reply (yet).

On, then, to Plan C - get Father (before he retires to His Bed Of Sickness) to consecrate enough Hosts to see us through tomorrow.....this is duly and reverently done (in accordance with the sensible Anglican provision that allows a Eucharist in case of emergency on this day), so we now have enough Hosts for the faithful to receive on Easter Day - the C of E's ONLY Day of Obligation.........phew.....

If Plan C has to be brought into play, The Blue-Scarfed Menace will have to preach.......so I have just downloaded and printed out The Easter Homily Of St. John Chrysostom.......what more would I need to say?....

...except.....

Please, dear God, pretty please - HEAL FATHER NOW!!

Ian J.
 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
Hey, I didn't know you were Lutheran!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
There are, I believe, salves and unguents to ameliorate this rare condition.....

Ian J.

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I will have you know that I am proudly bidenominational, and any attempts to "heal" me of this identity will be both misguided and ineffective.



 

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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Leaf:

quote:

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Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
There are, I believe, salves and unguents to ameliorate this rare condition.....

Ian J.

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I will have you know that I am proudly bidenominational, and any attempts to "heal" me of this identity will be both misguided and ineffective.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Leaf:

quote:

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Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
There are, I believe, salves and unguents to ameliorate this rare condition.....

Ian J.

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I will have you know that I am proudly bidenominational, and any attempts to "heal" me of this identity will be both misguided and ineffective.

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Well in view of the fact that ECUSA and ELCA have joined up not to mention the Porvoo communion, that is not unreasonable.....

 

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Posted by Stephen (# 40) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Forthview:
Rosa Winkel as I've said several times in different places Good Friday is not a public holiday in traditionally 'Catholic' countries (except Spanish areas!!).

It has been so since the 1600s.The church prefers that people go to work on Good Friday,rather than go watching football or horse racing.

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But wouldn't it be better if they went to church?

 

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Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Our prayers were answered, Father was much better this morning, and the Mass went ahead as planned!

Ian J.

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Posted by Forthview (# 12376) on :
 
But,of course,yes.
The fact that Good Friday is a holiday in England does not necessarily mean that everyone in England goes to church on Good Friday - or do they,ask I who have never been in England on Good Friday ?
 

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Posted by Stephen (# 40) on :
 
I don't know, I'm Welsh....

But yes, you do have a point
 

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Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 
First holy week service tonight: Bridegroom Matins. And so our holy week begins.
 

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