Palm Sunday & Holy Week
March 28-April 3, 2021
The Mission of St. John’s is to be a community of God’s people who heal brokenness, build bridges, and exemplify borderless kindness.
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Palm Sunday and Holy Week Schedule |
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Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent
If anyone would like to schedule a time for the sacramental Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent, they can contact Mthr. Minerva to schedule a time. Mthr. Minerva or 512-593-1778.
"The Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it. It is not restricted to times of sickness. Confessions may be heard anytime and anywhere." (BCP p. 446)
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The heart of the Christian faith is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the events we commemorate during Holy Week are the central pieces of our faith. Here is an overview to the particular way we tell the story of Holy Week at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Our usual Holy Week service schedule is modified this year due to the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic. |
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Sunday, March 28: The Passion of our Lord: Palm Sunday
The day’s full name indicates its dual focus. The reading of the Passion Narrative (the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion) is preceded by the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The Liturgy of the Palms is the entrance rite but the Passion Gospel is the central focus. The euphoria and triumph of Jesus’ entry is short-lived and the tone of the day changes dramatically. We, who moments earlier shouted “Hosanna,” now cry “Crucify him! Crucify him!” The stage is set for the rest of the week.
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If you are planning to attend the virtual service on Palm Sunday, you may come by the church on Saturday, March 27, after 12 Noon, to pick up a blessed palm frond to have for the service. The fronds will be on the outdoor altar in front of the Parish Hall. |
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Here is a sketch of the parking lot area which will be used for Palm Sunday and Easter in-person services. There will be a very limited number of parking spaces near the entrance for people with handicap access placards. |
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Looking toward
the altar area
from the welcome table
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Altar setup for
Palm Sunday and Easter
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Thursday, April 1: Maundy Thursday
This service takes its name from the Latin word Mandatum, meaning “commandment.” At the Last Supper, Jesus gives the new commandment, “love one another as I have loved you.” This day also commemorates the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper as Jesus tells his followers to “do this in remembrance of me.” After the lights are dimmed in the church, the Altar Guild removes all altar hangings, candles, banners, etc. All crosses are draped or veiled in black. As the altar is stripped bare, we are reminded that Christ’s crucifixion leaves a void in our church and in the world. The Maundy Thursday service concludes in darkness and silence.
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Friday, April 2: Good Friday
This day is a day of both mourning and triumph. It is a day of mourning because it is our sin that has crucified Christ; simultaneously it is a day of triumph because our Lord transforms the cross into the instrument of our salvation. The opening rite is primitive in its starkness. The church, stripped of its furnishings and adornments on Maundy Thursday, reflects the somber mood of a people whose Savior has been crucified. The clergy enter and all kneel for silent prayer before the opening acclamation and collect. By ancient tradition, The Passion according to St. John is read on Good Friday. The Solemn Collects, an extended form of intercession, take the place of the Prayers of the People. A large wooden cross is brought before the people and draped in black. The church is left in silence, bleak and bare as the tomb.
The devotion known as the Way of the Cross, or Via Cruces in Spanish, is an adaptation to local usage of a custom widely observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem: the offering of prayer at a series of places in that city traditionally associated with our Lord’s passion and death. The number of stations, which at first varied widely, finally became fixed at fourteen. Of these, eight are based directly on events recorded in the Gospels. The remaining six numbers (3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 13) are based on inferences from the Gospel account or from pious legend.
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The Women’s Way of the Cross will be offered to the congregation by the Daughters of the King on Good Friday at 10:30am. Click the button to join The Way via Zoom. |
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Saturday, April 3: Holy Saturday
We are unable to celebrate the Easter Vigil at St. John’s this year.
Another option that you may want to consider is the Easter Vigil at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City on Saturday, April 3 at 7:30pm.
The Washington National Cathedral is not holding an Easter Vigil service this year.
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The service bulletins will be available on the website later this week. Please click this button to access the downloadable bulletins for each service: |
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To participate in our virtual services, you do not need to have a Zoom account or download Zoom. Simply click the buttons shown above to join.
You may also join the service by telephone -
dial (346) 248-7799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting ID: 879 9502 6837
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To protect those participating in the service from any possible "trolls" who might try to interrupt our worship, the Waiting Room is enabled for this event. The Verger will admit you to the service as quickly as possible. |
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Please note: Everyone except those people who have an active role in the service will be muted. This is to minimize background noise. |
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The virtual English services will be recorded and video will be posted on the St. John's Facebook page, YouTube, and the St. John's website so that you can replay a service at your convenience. Links to the recordings will be posted on our website (Austin St. John's) .
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If you wish to attend an outdoor in-person service, we ask that you use our registration system (use the buttons provided above) for our contact tracing protocols and in case we need to give you updated information about the service. We will continue to require the wearing of masks while on the St. John’s campus, as well as social distancing of non-household members. We recommend you think of this like any other outdoor event in the sun - use sunblock, bring an umbrella and/or hat (watch for new ecclesiastical accessories for Mthr. Minerva and Deacon Victoria!), water, and a chair or blanket to sit on. There will be a limited number of metal chairs available for those who are unable to bring their own.
A recording of the English sermon will be available on our website.
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for other ways to make a donation.
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Caring for Each Other
St. John's is interested in meeting the pastoral needs of our community. If you have prayer requests, please contact Sheri Rasmussen. If you need pastoral care please contact Mthr. Minerva or Deacon Victoria. If you would like the Daughters of the King to include you in their prayer list, please contact Sandra Ward.
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Need Help?
If you find that your situation is causing financial, spiritual, or emotional difficulties, or if you are in need of food, do not hesitate to call Deacon Victoria (512-297-5953) or contact Mthr. Minerva (RevMinerva@austinstjohns.org).
We are a church family; when a family member needs assistance we want to try and help that member.
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As we gradually return to in-person services and open offices, we will let you know of the hours and days. St. John's will continue to be conservative in our gatherings, requiring masks and distancing, with limited attendance.
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Fay Jones, Editor (fay@austinstjohns.org) |
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St. John's Episcopal Church
11201 Parkfield Drive
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493
Virtual Sunday Services
In English - 9:30am (Zoom)
In-Person Outdoor Holy Communion
In English - 11:15am
In Spanish - 1:00pm
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