Holy Week and Easter 2016

As we process through the Season of Lent, we also make our way to the central celebrations of the Christian year--those of Holy Week and Easter.

Holy Week is the last week of Lent. Beginning with Palm/Passion Sunday, it is the week that begins immediately to Easter Sunday. It is observed in many Christian churches as a time to commemorate and enact the suffering (Passion) and death of Jesus through observance and worship. Common observances include Maundy Thursday (the last supper), Good Friday (the crucifixion), and Holy Saturday (where Jesus lays in the tomb). 

Holy Week is important, especially in our own cultural context where Easter joy is celebrated, and often celebrated early (with Cadbury Easter eggs showing up as early as late February). Ours is a culture that often hides suffering, or seeks to escape it. While suffering is not a good thing, it is simply true that our world is filled with it, and that much of human life is touched by it. Whether personal, social, economic or environmental, it sits at the center of human existence.  It is important to place the hope and new life of the resurrection on Easter against the larger backdrop of death and endings as seen on the cross. Easter is figured as the divine answer not simply to the problem of death, but to the suffering of the world. It is only through walking under the shadows of darkness on Good Friday do we fully understand the light and hope of Easter Sunday.

This year, join us in the season of death and new life. For Holy Week, St. George's will be celebrating services on Palm/Passion Sunday, and a joint Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services with Comox United Church, Cumberland United Church, and Comox Presbyterian Church (for Good Friday). For Easter, we will be celebrating an Easter Sunrise service (with Comox United at Goose Spit) early morning, and Easter Sunday worship on Easter Day.

Schedule of Holy Week/Easter Services 2016

Palm/Passion Sunday March 20th 10:30am at St. George’s United Church
Maundy Thursday March 24th 5:30pm at Comox United Church
Good Friday March 25th 10:30am Joint Service at St. George’s United Church
Easter Sunrise Sunday March 27th 6:30am Joint Service at Goose Spit
Easter Sunday March 27th 10:30am at St. George’s United Church