Dear Friends in Christ,

I knew the pandemic might last a while, but I never thought we wouldn’t be gathering for in-person worship during Holy Week — and that’s what I thought last year! I certainly didn’t think that a second Holy Week and Easter would be impacted. Yet here we are.

We have been through a lot together over the past year, even while we have stayed physically distant from one another. For one thing, we’ve learned both how to worship via livestream in better ways and how we can safely gather together in different ways for corporate worship. Of course, neither livestream worship nor small services of Holy Communion are quite the same as a full, singing sanctuary in the dark of Good Friday or in the bright light of Easter morning. Then again, worshipping in new ways can open our hearts to hear the old story of the gospel in new ways.

Holy Week and the Great Three Days continue to stand at the very center of our faith. It is here, as we see Jesus enter Jerusalem in triumph, witness his self-giving love in foot-washing and the Last Supper, hear of his betrayal and stand at the foot of his cross, that we see God’s glory and love in their fullest revelation. And then, the great, gasping joy of Easter alleluias!

Our worship schedule for the Great Three Days and Easter is outlined below. We have planned several in-person services of Holy Communion for Easter weekend, for up to 100 people including worship assistants. These will be socially distanced services, with spoken responses and no hymn-singing. Livestream services will include music and hymns for listening and singing at home.

As we look to Holy Week and Easter, we remember that the story is the same no matter how we gather for worship. In God’s great love for this world, even for you and for me, Jesus Christ lived for us, died for us, and was raised for our salvation. May you experience the power of Holy Week and the joy of Easter wherever and however you worship this year. Next year, God willing, we will all be together in one place. For now, we let the crucified and risen Christ unite us in God’s love.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Lyle