Dear friends,
In keeping with the most recent guidelines from the Center for Disease Control, the Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton, Bishop of Maryland, has suspended all in-person worship services in the diocese until Saturday, May 16. In doing so, he emphasized the moral and civic responsibility that each one of us has to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and especially to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Many of you will be wondering how we will observe Holy Week and Easter this year in light of these restrictions. Just as we have begun doing for Sunday mornings, St. Luke's will be offering remote Holy Week services jointly with St. Mary Magdalene Church in Silver Spring both online and by phone. The access information for all of these services will remain the same as for Sunday services and is copied at the end of this email.
The tentative schedule for our Holy Week services will be:
Palm Sunday, April 5
8 am, Rite I (said)
10:30 am, Rite II (with music)
Palms will be available to pick up from the porch at St. Luke's following the second service.
Maundy Thursday, April 9
6 pm, Simple Agape Meal and Worship
You are invited to share a simple meal together remotely as we remember the Last Supper.
Good Friday, April 10
12 noon, Liturgy of the Day with Passion Narrative
7 pm, Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday, April 11
9:30 am, Liturgy of the Day
The Great Vigil of Easter - encouraged to livestream from the Cathedral of the Incarnation (see below for more information)
Easter Day, April 12
8 am, Rite I (said)
10:30 am, Rite II (with music)
Diocesan Worship
In addition to the services above, our diocese will be offering several services that will be livestreamed online from our cathedral. The first will take place this
Sunday, March 22 at 11 am
with Bishop Sutton preaching. You can join in watching the service here.
The diocesan schedule for Holy Week live from the cathedral will be available soon at
episcopalmaryland.org
.
Beloved in Christ, I know that it is deeply painful for us not to be able to gather together in person or share the Holy Eucharist, especially in this time of uncertainty and anxiety. Please know that the church will continue to be the church, even if we are not physically in the same place. In the words of our bishop: "Stay calm. Stay connected. Stay Church."
Blessings,
Diana+
Remote Worship Services
All of the services listed below may be accessed by phone or online (using a computer, smartphone, or tablet).
How to join worship remotely:
From your phone:
+1 646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 821 035 687
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,8210356879#
If you are using a landline and cost is an issue, you may instead dial this toll-free number:
877-853-5257 Meeting ID: 821 035 6879
Sundays
Two joint services with St. Mary Magdalene Church, Silver Spring, led by the Rev. Diana Carroll and the Rev. Dr. Sarah Lamming from their home. Note: These two services only are also being live-streamed from the church Facebook pages.
8 am - Rite I (said)
10:30 am - Rite II (with music)
Tuesdays
7 pm Evening Prayer
, based on the service of Compline (the Book of Common Prayer, pg. 127).
Wednesdays
7:30 am Prayers for the World
A ten-minute prayer service focusing on the world and our leaders in this time of uncertainty.
Fridays
7:30 am Prayers for Healing
A ten-minute prayer service focusing on those who are in need of healing and those who care for them.
10 am Contemplative Prayer
Hosted by the St. Luke's Contemplative Prayer Group. A time to gather for 20 minutes of silent, centering prayer, followed by conversation and reflection together.
