Lent & Easter at St. James

Palm Sunday with Blessing of the Palms and Passion Gospel

March 29 at 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 5 p.m.

Join us for Holy Eucharist with Blessing of the Palms & the Passion Gospel from Matthew. This service begins in the Sanctuary Garden Chapel.

Tenebrae for Holy Week

Tuesday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m.

Tenebrae is the ancient Latin word for “darkness” and refers to the combined monastic services of Matins and Lauds, the traditional early morning prayer hours, sung during Holy Week. The most conspicuous feature of this service is the gradual extinguishing of candles after each psalm or canticle is sung, until only the center Christ candle remains. Most of the music for this service is plainsong and will be sung by a 7-voice male choir. Join us and let the mystical sounds of ethereal voices wash over your soul on Tuesday evening of Holy Week. 

Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayer

Wednesday, April 1 at Noon

In the Chapel

The Paschal Triduum

April 2-4

St. James Nave

Join us for the pinnacle of the Christian year. Though occurring on three separate days– Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil– The Paschal Triduum is one service, in three parts, marking the death of Christ and his resurrection.

Maundy Thursday—Holy Eucharist with Optional Footwashing and the Stripping of the Altar

April 2 at 7:00 p.m.

This begins the three-part service known as the Triduum. It marks the institution of the Last Supper, Christ’s example of servant leadership in washing his disciples’ feet, and finally, his betrayal and arrest. This is the final Eucharist before Easter. The service ends without dismissal after the altar and church are solemnly stripped, to be continued on Good Friday.

Maundy Thursday Vigil and Watch

April 2, Until Midnight

Sanctuary Garden Chapel

An opportunity to vigil and pray are offered after the 7 p.m. service. This is intended to recall Christ’s time in the Garden of Gethsemane until he is arrested. The Consecrated Bread and Wine will be processed out to the Sanctuary Garden Chapel where a vigil of prayer and meditation will be held until midnight. At that hour, the Bread and Wine will be removed, symbolizing the taking of Jesus away by the police.

Stations of the Cross

April 3 at 10:00 a.m.

Good Friday Solemn Liturgy with Veneration of the Cross

April 3 at Noon (with the St. James Choir), and 5:30 p.m. (Spoken)

This solemn service leads up to the cross and through the crucifixion of Jesus, and includes a retelling of the Passion from the Gospel of John. There is no Eucharist this day as it is the only day in which clergy are forbidden from consecrating the Bread and Wine.

The Great Vigil of Easter with Baptism and Incense

April 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Service Begins in the Sanctuary Garden Chapel

This service begins in the Sanctuary Garden Chapel, where we will cultivate the new Easter fire, light the Paschal Candle, and process into a darkened church where we will retell the dramatic story of our salvation from creation to Christ. Midway through, the lights erupt in the darkness, bells and chimes ring with gladness, and the first Alleluias of Easter are proclaimed in joy. Phillip Haynie is the cantor for the service.

Easter Day

Sunrise Eucharist at 7:00 a.m.

Sanctuary Garden Chapel

Join us for a Eucharist celebrated in the beautiful outdoor Sanctuary Garden Chapel. Dress for weather and bring your own chair for seating. In case of severe rain, this service will be canceled.

Festive Holy Eucharist at 9:00 a.m.

With the St. James Choir and Brass. 

The St. James Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m.

Kids of all ages and their families are welcome to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday at 10:30 a.m.! Ages 0-K egg hunt will be in the Inner Courtyard and 1st grade and up in Bell Tower Courtyard.

Festive Holy Eucharist at 11:00 a.m.

With the St. James Choir and Brass.

Easter Brunch

Easter Brunch will be served from 8-11 a.m. by our Hospitality Guild.

Nursery Open

On Easter Sunday, our nursery is available for ages 0-3 at the 9 and 11 a.m. services.