Holy Week & Easter

@

St. Francis in-the-Field

Join us on a Sacred Journey

Dear Friends,

It is with great excitement that we extend our warmest invitation to you to join us for all our upcoming Holy Week and Easter services. This is an opportunity to fully commit yourself - your hearts, minds, hands, and feet- during this sacred period of our faith. We hope you will double down with us in worship, service, and fellowship.

Please read and scroll through this entire email for all the important dates and meaningful opportunities for connection. We start off together in fellowship, the last Friday of Lent, during our first inaugural fish fry. Then our important worship commences with Palm Sunday and the solemn observance of the Great Triduum, which includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter. Easter marks the finality of our celebrations, with the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, a victory of life over death and the fulfillment of God's promises!

All of these services and opportunities for connection take the commitment of parish volunteers, alongside our worship ministries, staff and vestry. Please consider giving some additional time and talent this Holy Week and Easter season, and click HERE to signup. Through collective work and shared responsibility, we can focus on our transformative call to worship while maintaining a welcoming and powerful experience for all our visitors.

We look forward to welcoming you, your loved ones, and neighbors, and sharing in this sacred and transformative week!

With Blessings,

Fr. Justin, Rector

Friday, April 11th: 6-8PM

Fish Fry

Join us in our parish hall for a yummy, family friendly event catered by Jax Fish Fry! Tickets are $20 each. You can pick either a fried cod basket or fried shrimp basket. Beverages and fun activities included!

All tickets must be purchased in advance. Don't miss out and buy your tickets by April 9th here.

Sunday of the Passion:

Palm Sunday, April 13th

8AM in the Sanctuary

10:30AM at the Hope Pavilion

We are offering two worship services this Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Then with abruptness, we thrust into the reading of the Passion and the final moments of Jesus' earthly life.

Given the opportunities for deep reflection, we are having a special hour of Christian formation for all ages (children and adults) starting at 9AM. Children Pre-K thru 5th grade must be dropped off at the Youth & Family Building by a parent or adult caregiver. Adults are welcome to join Deacon Mark in our parish hall for a unique class and forum. Coffee, other beverages, and light treats will be available during the entire hour.

Our Nursery will be open from 8:50AM to the close of our 10:30AM service.

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 17th at 6:30PM in the Sanctuary

On Maundy Thursday, we remember the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the act of washing the disciples' feet, and the mandate to love one another as He loved us.

During this sacred service, you are invited to have either your feet or hands washed by a family member. Following this, all decorative furnishings are removed from the church in preparation for Good Friday. Afterward, the reserved sacrament is taken to the Parish Hall for a prayer vigil at our symbolic Garden of Gethsemane. 

The Garden of Gethsemane: Overnight Prayer Vigil

Thursday, April 17 8PM - Friday, April 18 12PM in the Parish Hall

A Prayer Vigil over the reserved sacrament is observed throughout the night on Maundy Thursday until noon on Good Friday in our symbolic Garden of Gethsemane surrounded by plants and private meditative space in our Parish Hall. You may sign up to pray in one-hour increments. “Will you stay awake and watch for just one hour?” 

Good Friday, April 18th

12PM in the Sanctuary

Stations of the Cross

6:30PM at the Hope Pavilion

The is the somber day on which the church commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. There are two opportunities to worship this day. The liturgy at 12 pm includes John's account of the Passion gospel and includes a solemn form of intercession known as the solemn collects (dating from ancient Rome). At 6:30pm, we will have Stations of the Cross that begins outdoors at the Hope Pavilion. The Stations will be interactive and you will have the opportunity to walk the Way of the Cross in prayer. Our St. Francis Men's group will be instrumental in our Stations of the Cross this year as a special worship and service project. If you are a part of our Men's group or interested in joining to help, please reach out to Josh Tonge by clicking the green button.

Easter Vigil

Saturday, April 19th at 6:30PM in the Sanctuary

The Easter Vigil, or Great Vigil of Easter, is the first celebration of Easter Day. The service begins outside while it is still dark where we will light a fire to symbolize the light of Christ overcoming sin and death. From that fire, we light the Paschal Candle and walk it into the church to remain there through the fifty days of the Easter season. The service includes a Renewal of Baptismal Vows and concludes with Holy Eucharist.

Following the Great Vigil, we will celebrate outside with light refreshments. Please bring a bottle of wine or a dessert to share.  

Easter Sunday, April 20th in the Sanctuary

7:30AM - Traditional Easter Worship Service

9:15AM - Family Easter Worship

11:30AM - Traditional Easter Worship Service

We will celebrate the feast of Christ's resurrection with three offerings of the Holy Eucharist. At 9:15, we are offering a service dedicated to our families with children. Our worship and sermon will be centered around our most youthful members. For more traditional (and quiet) services, we encourage you to attend our 7:30 or 11:30 services.

The Flowering of the Cross

Starting at 9AM

All families and guests are invited to bring a bouquet of flowers to help fill and decorate our large cross, symbolizing the new life that emerges from Jesus' death and resurrection.

Easter Egg Hunt & Fellowship 10:30AM - 11:30AM

Our annual Easter egg hunt will take place in between the services at 10:30AM on the Parish Front Lawn. We will have separate areas for our younger and older children. Plenty of light refreshments and sweets will be offered during this family friendly event in our Parish Hall.