I lead a service each evening in Holy Week(except Saturday) and, while I tend to use themes rather than the reading of the day, I try to roughly follow Jesus journey through the week. I love to use the preface of the day found in a 1935 Scottish Prayer Book to set the scene each evening. I usually have a labyrinth set up too, with stations that change each day, for people to explore after the service but, due to refurbishment, there's no space for that this year. That has saved quite a bit of work! But I still have a few reflections to write on the Colours of Passion for the first part of the week.
(I'll share them on the blog)
What about you? Are you on the home straight, sprinting to the finish line or still slogging out a marathon?
Please join us here and on our Facebook Page to share how your Holy Week is shaping up and we'll keep on sharing comments and resources, nourishment and encouragement. We're almost there, so let's help each other "walk the mile and bear the load."
And may we all find space for that personal journey with Jesus in the midst of helping others prepare.
Combination of planned and panicked!
ReplyDeleteServices weds-fri.
Thursday I have more or less planned. But everything else, including Sundays early outside communion is awaiting moderation! Wish I knew what the weather was really going to do!
Thinking about a sensory experience for Wednesday night. Smells of incense and water bowls for washing....
Well, I thought my week was all prepped and rehearsed and ready to go except for Sunday's sermon. Then yesterday the organist let me know through someone else that she will not be there for the music-laden Vigil service Saturday night, so I am (a) re-thinking that whole service and (b) preparing for a difficult discussion concerning a situation re: which this is but one of many indicators. Reminding myself of my "serenity" word for the year and that we are all about resurrection.
ReplyDeleteRobin, sorry you're having to deal with underlying issues when there is so much else on the go. These "words for the year" often have a weird irony. Mine, this year, is "encourage" - I'm wondering who I have to encourage - I've never felt so isolated in leadership. Sigh...
DeleteI am afraid I would be over the top if the music person did me this way. Prayers abound for you, Robin. Serenity is a good goal, but I would understand if you were royally pissed.
DeleteI am, but the service will not be that difficult to alter. The difficult part will be dealing with the underlying issues.
DeleteMy sympathies! Palm Sunday my organists told me the substitute would be playing Maundy Thursday. Fine and dandy, except she plays no liturgy. So I am forced to speak the liturgy on this holiest of communion meals. Now to scramble to find appropriate hymns to replace the sung congregational responses that are too long to be spoken. As if we didn't have enough to do this week....
DeleteRobin, how unfortunate to have this happen in Holy Week. Sending serene thoughts and prayers your way.
DeleteIt's none of my business, so feel free to disregard, but I'm hoping that the larger issue will be handled by someone in the congregation - someone from the Board or Council - and not you alone.
Thinking of you....
I came into this week expecting to hear from two families about a death. THe FUneral Home just called to set a service for Thursday afternoon. About a family that is not one of the two I am expecting to hear from. SOmething tells me I am now going to crib liturgy pieces from past use/other sources rather than write new stuff for Easter Sunday....
ReplyDeleteGord, my oldest member who is 104! died yesterday. Alas, her funeral cannot take place until next week - when I will be away. That means that anything else that comes in this week will have to be picked up by someone else.
DeleteHope you can piece things together.
Robin, sorry to hear about your staff issue. What frustrating timing for a passive-aggressive outburst!
ReplyDeleteWe've alternated hosting Maundy Thursday with a UMC congregation in town, and since they're hosting, I'm on to preach. I like the Working Preacher commentary about the rowdy Corinthians letting social norms influence the eucharist, rather than vice versa. Think I'll start there. Good Friday is our fullest day, with 2 regular services (with sermon) and an adaptation of an experiential kids' program that a former (and fabulous) rector of mine wrote--with palms, sharing bread/"wine", singing. Labor intensive, but excellent and fun.
At this point, Easter Sunday feels miles away...but it's not, is it?
Hi all, Things are less liturgically intense at our place than for some of you. Thursday the choir does a big thing. Friday, prayer service with foot washing and labyrinth, Saturday decorating and Sunday 2 services. Only one sermon in all of that (and no funerals that I know of - sorry to hear about your big week, Gord. I had a lot of spring funerals last year and it was pretty hard).
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, things on the homefront have gotten MORE intense, with DH getting a pneumonia diagnosis this morning (after 3 hours hanging around in urgent care trying not to breathe in anyone else's germs). His is already disabled, so he is really knocked out, which makes extra stuff for me at home.
Anyway, taking advantage of nap time this afternoon to think about Easter Sunrise, as I am trying to get all bulletins to the office admin tomorrow. Am considering having a fire, but our service is at 8:00 - hours after the sun has actually risen, so I'm not sure how awesome it would be.
Also! By chance my son and I watched The Rise of the Guardians last night, which turned out to have a very Eastery theme, so if you are needing a break some time this week....
ReplyDeleteWell, my Holy Monday service is over - now to tweak the order a bit for Tuesday. Just Thursday and Friday still to put together.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of you folk that go beyond the big 2 (or 3) of Holy Week services and do the whole week! And just a bit envious...
DeleteI am preaching on Thursday and leading worship on Friday. I just found out that we are doing the mass of the pre-sanctified. I really don't like the theology that sustains that service, but I don't get to choose the service. Wind me up and I will follow the ordo!
ReplyDelete