Holy Eucharist
Holy Eucharist (Rite I) is celebrated every Thursday morning at 10:30 in the chapel.
Study
A men's Bible study meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 a.m. in the Poynor Room.
A women's study group meets at 9:00 in the Poynor Room. Discussions center around a variety of thought-provoking books. A nursery is provided upon request so that mothers with young children can attend.
A lectionary-based Bible study is offered in the Poynor Room at 11:00, following the 10:30 Eucharist.
Additional Study Opportunities
During the seasons of Advent and Lent, study programs are offered for parishioners of all ages, usually in conjunction with a covered dish supper. During Lent, a lunch of sandwiches and homemade soup follows the Thursday morning schedule of Holy Eucharist and Bible study.
Periodically, other programs such as ALPHA and Kerygma are presented for adults.
The Holy Week Service of Tenebrae
The liturgy of Palm/Passion Sunday heralds our entry into Holy Week. As part of our prayer during these most sacred days leading to the celebration of our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection, we have the opportunity to participate in the ancient service of Tenebrae.
The name Tenebrae (the Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows”) has for centuries been applied to the ancient monastic night and early morning services (Matins and Lauds) of the last three days of Holy Week, which in medieval times came to be celebrated on the preceding evenings.
Apart from the chant of the Lamentations, the most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church until only a single candle, considered a symbol of our Lord, remains. Toward the end of the service, this candle is hidden, typifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil. At the very end, a loud noise is made, symbolizing the earthquake at the time of the resurrection (Matthew 28:2), the hidden candle is restored to its place, and by its light all depart in silence.
In The Book of Occasional Services (the source which provides the rubrics for this service), provision is made for Tenebrae on Wednesday evening only, in order that the proper liturgies of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday may find their place as the principal services of those days. By drawing upon psalms, lessons, and responsories from each of the former three offices of Tenebrae, this service provides an extended meditation upon, and a prelude to, the events in our Lord’s life between the Last Supper and the Resurrection.
Join us at 7:00 on Holy Wednesday for this time of quiet reflection upon our salvation history and the passion and death of our Lord.
