tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post8265605047411363986..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Time to PanicPastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-1183772816816840542011-04-17T17:13:17.437-05:002011-04-17T17:13:17.437-05:00My previous church had nothing over Holy Week, sav...My previous church had nothing over Holy Week, save for a short service Good Friday morning. My current congregation has services Maundy Thursday with Communion and the stripping of the altar and then two services Friday, with Tenebrae ending the night.<br /><br />Holy Week is a true rollercoaster of emotions, from the Hosannas of Palm Sunday to the crucifixion and reproaches of Good Friday to the triumph of the Resurrection. I never understood that until I came to my current church but I'm glad I finally was able to see, experience and understand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-33546595043246506432011-04-14T18:06:27.044-05:002011-04-14T18:06:27.044-05:00"Attendance at Holy Week services is in direc..."Attendance at Holy Week services is in direct correlation to spiritual maturity of each Christian in your parish."<br /><br />I hope not, as I don't attend. I used to attend at my former church and loved it, because the vigil was done with great care and solemnity. It took about two and a half hours and ended after midnight. My current church also does a vigil, but it is a pale shadow of what I previously experienced. It is finished in under 50 minutes, including sermon and communion. Everything is done so hurriedly, with none of the liturgy sung (just a couple of hymns), and apparently with little preparation--the candlebearer and other assistants never seem to know when to move or where to stand, that I just find it depressing. And this is in a church that prides itself on being liturgical.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-85348941213582924452011-04-14T09:57:44.906-05:002011-04-14T09:57:44.906-05:00The congregation I serve has had the sunrise Holy ...The congregation I serve has had the sunrise Holy Communion on Easter tradition for as long as any of them can remember, so it has been a bit challenging for them to embrace the Easter Vigil the night before, especially if we actually start at sundown rather than in the middle of Saturday afternoon. <br /><br />The first year worked great because my son was baptized during the Vigil and of course everyone wanted to see that. Then, attendance fell off. <br /><br />We tried something new and started the Vigil early, early, early on Sunday morning and had the Vigil flow into the 6AM Sunrise Service. A bit better attended, but still most people just showed up at 6AM. <br /><br />Last year, we did an experiment by starting the Vigil right at sundown, outside and then coming into the church as far as the narthex for the Easter Proclamation and the service of readings. (The sanctuary and narthex are separated by a glass wall. Meeting in the narthex allowed us to gather in the round to hear the readings and sing the psalms. After the service of readings, we dismissed for the night and began the 6AM sunrise Holy Communion with the remembrance of baptism and the litany of the saints. <br /><br />I know this is a bit of liturgical heresy, but attendance was much better. I am curious to see if last year was a fluke. Maybe this will be the way that a tradition of an Easter Vigil (hopefully all integrated together someday) will take root at Trinity.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13013921386098199810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-46465993632434740732011-04-14T08:51:19.815-05:002011-04-14T08:51:19.815-05:00Attendance at Holy Week services is
in direct corr...Attendance at Holy Week services is<br />in direct correlation to spiritual<br />maturity of each Christian in your<br />parish. <br /><br />Those who are spiritually mature will<br />attend as many Worship Services as<br />possible. Those who are infants in<br />the faith will probably settle for<br />just attending on Easter. Building<br />mature Christians is an important<br />process throughout the year. The<br />fruits of that effort will be<br />evident during Holy Week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-57868705389064194942011-04-14T08:11:30.593-05:002011-04-14T08:11:30.593-05:00Yes, spot on as usual. For some reason the hight o...Yes, spot on as usual. For some reason the hight of my Holy Week preparation anxiety is always Good Friday. I've only been having Easter Vigil for about 4-5 years now and though it is a low attendance service it is the one I look forward to the most, because there are no overheated expectations as to what it 'supposed' to be. I especially like the way the Old Testament readings take the worshipper on a journey from creation all the way to the firey furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar. <br />Peace to you dear Brother, and a blessed Holy Week.Rev. Allen Bergstrazernoreply@blogger.com