Fr. Scott led us in a walk with our Lord through His last days as we commemorated Holy Week ending with our joyous Easter Sunday celebration!
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Maundy Thursday
Fr. Scott led a beautiful Maundy Thursday service. In his sermon Fr. Scott discussed how the Maundy Thursday commandment "To love one another as I have loved you" is the hardest commandment that our Lord could possibly give. Love is hard in the best of circumstances and we are called to love everyone. The ritual of foot washing is a symbolic way to express what we should be doing all the time, loving each other through serving one another.
After the sermon, Fr. Scott washed the feet of the members of the congregation. During this part of the service, Sue played beautiful, moving music.
After the service, Fr. Scott and the Altar Guild members stripped the altar . . .
leaving only a small Altar of Repose for use in the Good Friday service.
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Fr. Scott led a beautiful but somber service on Good Friday. The service was titled the Veneration of the Cross and Communion from the Presanctified. The service started in darkness and silence, picking up where the Maundy Thursday service left off. Fr. Scott began the service lying prostrate and praying before the Cross of Our Lord. After time for prayer, he started the service.
After reading an Old Testament Lesson, the Epistle, the Collects, and the Gospel Lesson, Fr. Scott presented his sermon. He started by recounting all the awful events of this day - from the betrayal by Judas, the mock trials, false witnesses, beatings, crown of thorns, and the crucifixion. In an age far removed from crucifixions, we need reminders of the horrors Jesus Christ went through. The power of Easter bears witness to His sacrifice on Good Friday and that He deemed us worthy of the price.
After the sermon, Fr. Scott led The Veneration of the Cross by the congregation present. This was followed by Holy Communion using the bread sanctified in the Maundy Thursday service.
Thank you Fr. Scott for a very moving service!
After a solemn and beautiful afternoon service, several of us met at Perkins for an early dinner.
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Holy Saturday
Earl graciously opened the church from noon to 3 pm for people to come and quietly meditate about a world without our Lord. He also had an Easter Even Meditation bulletin available for people to use during their quiet time at the church.
Thank you, Earl!
Before the Easter Even Meditation time, several people met to prepare the church for Easter Sunday. They did a beautiful job as the picture below shows!
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Our first Easter Vigil service on Saturday night including the Blessing of the New Fire, the Blessing of the Paschal Candle, Reading of the Prophecies, the Blessing of the Baptismal Font, and Holy Communion.
Sue and Scott provided beautiful music during the service!
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Easter Sunday
"For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead." John 20:9
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Fr. Scott's sermon asked us to consider the plight of the Disciples since Maundy Thursday. Their whole world was shattered - their Messiah had been defeated. Mary Magdalene goes to the Tomb to take care of Jesus's remains as a final act of love. She returns out of breath and distraught, reporting to Peter and John "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him". Both men ran to the sepulchre - John as a man who knew something supernatural was happening and believed immediately and Peter as a man full of guilt at his earlier behavior and seeking redemption. How do you run to the tomb? Either way, come and see that the Tomb is empty.
The complete sermon may be found at the following link:
Thank you Fr. Scott for the wonderful sermon!
Scott and Sue provided beautiful music for this special service. Thank you Sue and Scott for contributing so much of your time and talents to St. Peter's!
More beautiful pictures from the service!
Thank you to Fr. Scott for all the beautiful services!
Thank you to Garon, Mike, Earl, Scott, and Matt for Lay Reading and serving during this busy week!
Thank you to Lynn, Teresa, Agnes, Carole, Rose Marie, Claudia, Earl, and Mike for all your time and efforts making the church ready and beautiful for all the services!!
Thank you to Daryl, Teresa, Maryl, and Fr. Scott for sharing their pictures!
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In addition to erecting our new front sign last week, Mike removed our original sign. Many 'Thank You's' to Earl and Jack Anders (Carole's husband and founding member of St. Peter's) for erecting and maintaining the original sign over the years
Amber made good use of the new open area!
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Low Sunday, April 24, 11 am
Episcopal visit by Bp. Chad Jones
1 Baptism & 5 Confirmations!!
no Sunday School
Meal after services with the Bishop
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Sue continues to lead our weekly online prayer group on Tuesday at 11:30. Thank you so much Sue for taking the time each week to lead our prayers! If you have a special prayer request but cannot join us, please send your request to Sue. Please contact me (Rosalind) if you would like to join us on Discord.
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