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It's all one story.
Last Sunday we began the great journey of Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, we re-enacted Jesus' triumphal entry to Jerusalem by processing with palms from Longfellow square. The service concluded with our taking a role in the passion play, the story of Jesus' trial and crucifixion. On Maundy Thursday, we replayed the story of Jesus' last Supper with his disciples, reenact the washing of feet, and prepare for Jesus' crucifixion with a dramatic stripping of the altar and the keeping watch in "the garden of Gethsemane" created in All Saints Chapel. On Good Friday, we hear again the story of the passion and spend special time in prayer meditation and veneration of the cross. Following the Jewish custom of the day beginning at sundown (think Christmas Eve), Easter begins on Saturday night. Called the Great Vigil of Easter, this service begins in darkness, includes a bonfire in the back of the church and candlelight symbolizing the light of Christ coming into the world, a retelling of the whole of salvation history, renewal of baptismal vows, and the first celebration of the resurrection. We are delighted to continue our tradition of making the vigil a community event and look forward to welcoming participants from 11 local congregations on Saturday night! Each of these opportunities leads to Easter Day. It is most meaningful to see them as one service, telling one story: the greatest story ever told.
In an oddity of history, English is the only language that uses the name for this of Easter (probably coming from Oestre or Ishtar, ancient goddesses of fertility and spring - think bunnies and eggs). In all other languages, the name for this story is a derivation of Pascha or Passover. This is the Christian Passover, our journey from slavery from freedom, from darkness to light, and from death to life. Like the Jewish Passover, this is the story of how God loved humanity so much that he intervened in history to save us - of how God loves you and me so much that he intervened in history to forgive us and even after we denied him, crucified him, and everything else, to give us a fresh start, a new chance, and a new opportunity to begin again.
I invite you to be part of this story. Easter Day is wonderful by itself but is much more so if it comes at the end of a journey and is the conclusion of a whole story. Join us. I invite you to come the services of Holy Week and make this story your own.
Good Friday 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm Preacher and Celebrant:
The Rev. Suzanne Roberts
Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) 7:00 pm Preacher and Celebrant:
Bishop Stephen Lane
Easter Day 7:30, 9:00, 11:00, and 5:15 Preacher and Celebrant:
Dean Shambaugh
Please note that there is no parking at the Cumberland Club on Easter Day or Mother's Day.
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Our annual Easter egg hunt will be held at 10:30 am on Sunday. Bring your basket and join us in the Bishop's garden for some Easter morning fun! |
Many have been asking about my sabbatical plans. I will be away from St. Luke's from April 17 September 16 (the day before our fall startup.)
For the sabbatical period, the Rev. Canon Sam Henderson will serve as priest in charge, providing pastoral care, leading worship on Sundays, covering for weddings and funerals, and overseeing staff and daily operations. He may be reached through the cathedral office 772-5434. The Rev. Suzanne Roberts, the Rev. Richard Rasner and other staff and volunteers will continue their usual duties and all programs and activities will maintain their regular schedules. I will not be in the office or checking church related emails or voice mails during this time.
The sabbatical will begin with time spent with Shari's family in Oregon followed by a time on retreat. Beyond this and some time at my family's camp in Michigan, it may include some continuing education, time on the water and in the Maine woods, and playing in a few summer band concerts along the way. I thank St. Luke's for this opportunity of rest, renewal and reflection, and look forward to seeing you on my return. - Dean Shambaugh
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The parish office will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, April 17 &18. St. Elizabeth's will be open on Tuesday, the 12:10 service and bible study will be held, and groups will meet as usual. In the case of an emergency, please call The Rev. Samuel Henderson at 761-0033, who is serving as priest in charge while the dean is on sabbatical.
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"Sisters In Song", will sing during the 5:15pm service on Sunday, April 30th.
These talented singers come from the Portland Conservatory of Music and under the direction of Carolyn Paulin. Their selections will include John Rutter's arrangement of William Henry Monk's "All Things Bright and Beautiful", and Aaron Copland's arrangement of Robert Lowry's "Shall We Gather At the River". A small reception will follow the service.
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Weekly Child Care:
Our nursery (adjacent to the Upper Parish Hall) is available for children 4 years old and under from 9:45 am to 11:45 am on Sundays.
Sunday School for pre-K-5th grade is from 9:45 to 10:30 (with the children rejoining their parents at the Peace). Swing by any time after 9:45.
Youth Group for middle and high schoolers is from 11:30-12:30 every week. . All young people in grades 6-12 are invited to attend.
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Easter Sunday
7:30 am (Chapel)
9:00 am (Festival Choral service)
10:30 am Easter Egg Hunt
11:00 am (Festival Choral Service)
5:15 pm (Chapel)
Our Sunday 10 am services are livestreamed on our website.
Remember, the office is closed on Mondays.
Tuesdays:
12:10 pm:
Worship (Chapel)
2nd and 4th Wednesdays
5:45 pm: Taize Service in Emmanuel Chapel
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Don't forget to friend us on
Facebook - St Luke's Cathedral, Portland, ME
Click
here for our full calendar
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Getting Involved in Advocacy at St. Luke's
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Spiritual Formation
for Adults
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There are NO Classes
on Easter Day
A Newcomers/Inquirer's Class is being held at 9am on Sunday mornings in March. This is great for anyone wanting to learn more about the Episcopal Church or St. Lukes and is also for anyone (youth or adult) interested in being confirmed in May.
The Explorers are completing the Bishop Tutu and Dalai Lama volume on Joy. Our next meeting is the Sunday after Easter from 8:45 to 9:45 am, in the Chapter Room.
Heart of the Matter
explores religious belief through the work of Joseph Campbell. It's a great place for those seeking new ways of understanding their relationship with their faith. Join us in Classroom 8 on Sundays from 8:45-9:45
am.
The Tuesday Bible Study
and brown bag lunch continues each week after the 12:10 service.
The Thursday pm theological study group recovenes on April 14th. We meet from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Chapter Room. Dr. Hanson is leading the group through the possible influences on Jesus as he prepared for his messianic ministry in Galilee and Judah. Join us for this discovery process, for an improved understanding of Jesus' understanding of his mission, and for new insights into both the major prophets and Jesus' years of preparation before his last trip to Jerusalem.
Spring Training, April 29
Gather with Bishop Steve Lane and Episcopalians from across the diocese for a day of learning, sharing, and growth. A church leader? A clergy person? Someone interested in spiritual growth or community outreach?
With 20 workshops to choose from, you'll find what you're looking for. There's no cost for this event, which will be held at St. Paul's Church and the public library in Brunswick. See details here
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As always quarters put in the collection plate fund the lunch program in Duny. As our partnership with the Episcopal School St. Simon/St. Jude in Duny, Haiti enters its eighth year our commitment remains strong to support their educational needs. This year we endeavor to meet the minimum wage in Duny for teacher salaries, $100/month per teacher, look for the spring newsletter for more information on this.
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A Committee on Sanctuary is forming to explore ways members of Saint Lukes might support a growing interfaith movement to offer Sanctuary to at-risk immigrants in Portland. Please contact Linda Carleton if you would like to know more or get involved.
lindacarleton01@gmail.com
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