Holy Week and Easter
Holy Week and Easter at St. Paul’s from April 2 to 9, 2023 is one of the most important times of year at St. Paul's. There are a lot of opportunities throughout the week for you to join the community in worship. Here is an outline of important dates and times.
Easter Offering
This year’s Easter Offering will benefit the St. Paul’s Crisis Fund. This fund provides financial assistance with rent, utilities and other critical housing needs. Due to the increased volume of assistance requests, the Easter offering will help St. Paul’s continue to offer this critical assistance to our neighbors in need. To donate, click here, and be sure and select "Easter Offering" under the "To" option.
April 2 | Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday Service at 7:30, 9, 11:15 am, and 5 pm in the Nave
Adult Formation at 10:15 am: Hot Cross Buns & the Tridumm
Join the Rev. Dr. Dixon Kinser for homemade hot cross buns and a conversation about the liturgies of these three Sacred days of Easter (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Day). Perfect for anyone wanting to bring intentionality to their Holy Week observance or lovers of sweet baked goods. Or both. You can view the service here >
April 3-5 | Mon-Wed in Holy Week
12 pm, Holy Eucharist at the Side Altar
5 to 6 pm, Confession in the Nave
4:30 to 6 pm, Labyrinth Walks in the Chapel
Confessing one’s sins is a powerful act of prayer and an important ritual for every Christian to practice. The Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Holy Week, we invite all who would like to make a Confession individually to one of the priests to join us in the Nave from 5-6pm. You can also walk the Labyrinth during this time in the chapel, either before or after making your Confession.
April 6 | Maundy Thursday
12 pm, Holy Eucharist in the Side Altar
5:30 pm, Holy Eucharist with Foot Washing, Nave
The Holy Triduum, a Holy period of three days leading up to Easter begins with Maundy Thursday. Maundy Thursday commemorates the first Eucharist and follows the Gospel reading today with the washing of feet. The service ends with the stripping of the altar as we prepare for Good Friday. This Holy Week, consider deepening your experience of Easter by participating in all the services of the Holy Triduum beginning on this day. You can watch the service here >
April 7 | Good Friday
12 pm, Good Friday Liturgy in the Nave
Through moving liturgy and beautiful music, the Good Friday service at St. Paul’s commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus. On this day, we hear the Passion from the Gospel of John. The service is solemn, but a powerful part of the Triduum that helps us prepare for Jesus’ resurrection. You can watch the service here >
5:30 pm, Outdoor Stations of the Cross
Walking the Stations of the Cross is a spiritual practice often celebrated during Holy Week. Many churches and Holy Sites have unique traditions for the Stations, and here at St. Paul’s, we walk the Stations within the West End neighborhood. All our welcome.
April 8 | Holy Saturday
12 pm, Holy Saturday Service in the Chapel
Join us for a simple service in the chapel specifically created for space after Good Friday and before the Easter Vigil. Meant for the time while Jesus laid in the tomb as we await his resurrection, this is a great service to attend before coming to the Easter Vigil later in the day.
5:30 pm, The Great Vigil of Easter in the Nave
The Great Vigil of Easter is a cherished service in the Episcopal Church and a central part of the Holy Triduum. This service is the first Eucharist of Easter and begins in the dark, by candlelight. With lessons and baptisms to follow, this service first begins with the lighting of the Holy Fire. If you have never attended this service, or you have not been in a long time, this is a great opportunity to hear beautiful music, participate in ancient liturgy, and worship in a service unlike any other service in the year. All are most welcome.
April 9 | Easter Day
7, 9, and 11:15 am, Festival Holy Eucharist, Nave
5 pm, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
He is risen! Easter Day is the culmination of Holy Week and the Holy Triduum and one of the most important Feast Days in the church year. While the structure of each service is similar, each service is a little different. The morning services (7 am, 9 am, and 11:15 am) are all in the Nave (the main worship space) while the more intimate 5 pm service is in the Chapel. Cannot attend in person? The 11:15 am service, which is the only service to feature incense, will also be livestreamed. Questions? Email us at info@stpauls-ws.org. Happy Easter! You can watch the service here >