Lent and Holy Week 2006

Below are photos from some of the events of Lent and Holy Week 2006 at King of Peace. Photos of more recent events are at the top of the page. Easter 2006 photos are online here. Click and photo below to see a larger version of the picture.

The Great Vigil of Easter

On Saturday, April 15, we closed out the season of Lent with the first service of Easter, the great vigil. We began in the gathering darkness with kindling a new fire to use in lighting the Paschal (or Easter) candle signifying the light of Christ coming back into the world with the resurrection. By the light of our own candles lit from that one light, we read stories from the Old Testament and reaffirmed our baptismal vows before moving into the sanctuary to continue with Easter readings a sermon and communion.

Good Friday

We held our Good Friday worship together with Christ Episcopal Church in St. Marys with the 12 noon service at King of Peace and the 7 p.m. service at Christ Church. We also offered a 1 p.m. Stations of the Cross on the trail in our woods and the labyrinth was available for prayer from 1-3 p.m. The photo above shows the altar with a crown of thorns on it for the Good Friday liturgy.

Maundy Thursday

Thursday in Holy Week is called Maundy Thursday from the Latin Maundatum, or commandment, for on that night of The Last Supper Jesus gave his disciples the commandment to love one another. He also gave them the example of washing their feet. Our Maundy Thursday worship was preceded by an Agape Meal, a simple soup supper. Then during the worship we offered a time for those in the congregation who wished to do so to take part in footwashing.

Passover Seder

April 12, was the Jewish Passover and King of Peace celebrated a joint Jewish-Christian service using the traditional Passover service of Jews.

Passover is the central act of remembrance of the Jewish year which remembers the Exodus experience as it looks forward to the coming of the Messiah.

Palm Sunday

On April 9, we began Holy Week with a traditional Palm Sunday service, which included a procession from outside to in the church with the congregation waving palm branches and singing as we remembered Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the week of his crucifixion. The service also included reading the Passion Gospel in parts so that nine readers took the parts of Jesus, Judas, Pilate, Peter and others as we read the story of Jesus' betrayal, trial and crucifixion.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. We marked the day with three worship services held together with Christ Episcopal Church in Saint Marys. The ones at 6:30 a.m. and 12 noon were held at their church building, the one at 7 p.m. (pictured below) was held in ours. Though not pictured below our worship service included marking the sign of the cross in ash on the foreheads of those who came forward for the imposition of ashes. At King of Peace we also allow, as part of confession, an opportunity for sin burning. A smokeless fire (made of rubbing alcohol soaked rock salt) is lit and the congregation can consume to the flames whatever anyone wishes to write down on paper, leaving behind those things that separate us from God as we begin the season of preparation for Easter. Though confession of sins is a traditional part of Ash Wednesday, the "sing burning" is not. It was adapted from something done at a middle school retreat to be added to worship at King of Peace.

Easter 2006 photos are online here.