Holy Week 2022

All of these services will be live streamed.  The links for the services at St. Thomas are available here.

MAUNDY THURSDAY-April 14  Service at 7pm at Christ Church, Westerly

On this night we commemorate our Lord's last gathering with his disciples.  We hear his last words to them  He prays for them.  As he promised, he instituted the sacrament of his body and blood.  In an outpouring of love, he washes the feet of each one, including the feet of him who betrays him.  With solemnity we celebrate the Holy Eucharist as he commanded us to do.  Following his example, the priest washes the feet of the people.  When the service is completed, the altar is stripped and Psalm 22 is read.  The reserved sacrament is taken from the ambry. The congregation leaves in silence.  

GOOD FRIDAY- April 15  Service at 12 noon at St. Thomas'

Good Friday is a solemn day, but the liturgy must not contain even a hint of defeat. The service of Good Friday is not a "funeral for Jesus."  The Lord's victory over death was won in his dying.  The rite begins in silence   The collect of the day is followed by the Liturgy of the Word.  The Passion of our Lord is read again.  Solemn collects are offered for the Church. for all the nations and the peoples of the earth, for all who suffer and are afflicted, for those who have not received the Gospel and for the holiness of life.  The Holy Eucharist is not celebrated, but communion is administered form the sacrament that was consecrated at the Maundy Thursday service. After the final collect, the people leave with no blessing or dismissal.  

GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER  April 16  Service at Christ Church, Westerly

On this most holy night, the Church gathers in vigil and prayer to commemorate the night that Jesus passed over from death to life.  The service begins in darkness with the lighting of the new fire.  The Paschal Candle is lighted from the new fire. It represents "the light of Christ.”  These words are proclaimed 3 times as the Paschal Candle is carried to the baptismal font.  The Exsultet is sung.  The Exsultet is a song of rejoicing   It gives thanks for "this night" and recalls central moments in the history of Good's people.  The service continues with several lessons which trace the history of God's people in the Hebrew Scriptures.  After the lessons, the sacrament of Holy Baptism may be administered   Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into membership of the church.  The Peace is then extended to all present. The altar candles are lighted from the Paschal Candle.  The priest says. "Alleluia. Christ is risen."  The congregation responds, "The Lord is risen indeed.  Alleluia."  Everyone is asked to bring a bell to ring following this Easter proclamation.  The first Eucharist of Easter is then celebrated.  

EASTER SUNDAY-April 17  Service at 9am at St. Thomas

On Easter morning the Church celebrates the feast of Christ's resurrection.  Easter is the oldest and greatest holiday in the Church.  It is the culmination of Holy Week.  Easter's observances begin with the Easter Vigil and continue with the Eucharist o Easter Day.  The Paschal Candle, which was lighted at the Vigil, will burn until the Day of Pentecost.   

Easter egg hunt and coffee hour follow the service.