The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness
It's Holy Week, and You're Invited
Welcome to Holy Week at St. John in the Wilderness: join us as we journey to Jerusalem this week to recall God's saving work in Jesus Christ. Watch the video above for a personal invitation from Fr. Josh, and read on for more detailed information.
April 10
Palm Sunday
Join us for services in the church at 8:45 and 11am. On this day, we recall Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his Passion on the cross.
Gather outside the Carriage Entrance for the Liturgy of the Palms and then process inside the church for the Liturgy of the Word.
April 14
Maundy Thursday
Join us for a Maundy Thursday service with foot washing and stripping of the altar in the church at 7pm. Part of the Triduum, or the three days before Easter, Maundy Thursday commemorates the institution of the eucharist by Jesus on the night he was betrayed.
Wear your sandals and share in the radical servant ministry of Jesus of Nazareth! This service ends in darkness, and we leave the church in complete silence as our vigil begins.
April 14-15
Gethsemane Watch
Three times Jesus prayed. Three times Jesus said to his disciples, "Stay awake with me." Three times he found them asleep. The Gethsemane Watch is a vigil during which we, as disciples of Jesus, step into the story of his final hours and do something that the Twelve could not do: we stay awake for one hour and we pray.
Beginning at the end of the Maundy Thursday service and running until the clergy gather for Morning Prayer at sunrise on Good Friday, you are invited to sign up for an hour of prayer in the church.
April 15
Good Friday
On Good Friday, we will commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus beginning at 11am with the Stations of the Cross.
Meet in the Parish Hall parking lot to take turns carrying the cross up to the church as we complete the Stations and then enter the church for our Good Friday liturgy at noon.
We will have Good Friday services in the church at 12 and 5:30pm, with the Veneration of the Cross from 1 to 4pm.
Come by the church at your convenience for time in silent prayer before the Cross, this instrument of shameful death that has become for us the means of life.
April 17
Easter Sunday
The story of Jesus did not end on the Cross, because the love of God cannot stay locked in a tomb. On Easter, we celebrate Jesus' conquering of death to bring new and abundant life to us all. Join in the celebration at one of our Rite II Easter Eucharist services in the church at 8:45 and 11am.
Gather in the church. Bring flowers to share in the flowering of the cross.
The celebration will move across the street for St. John's annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10am, hosted by the Young Family Ministry.
Bring your own basket and meet in the Rector's Garden.