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Holy Eucharist: RITE ONE
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday Sunday, April 2, 2023
Welcome to Good Shepherd. We welcome your full participation in this service. Page numbers in this leaflet refer to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymn numbers refer to the Hymnal 1982. Hymns with LEV refer to the Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnal. Numbers with an S prefix refer to the Service Music section in the front of the Hymnal. Please turn off any cell phones before the beginning of the Eucharist.
Be thoughtful, be silent, be reverent, for you are in the house of the Lord. Before the service, speak to the Lord; during the service, let the Lord speak to you; after the service, speak to one another.
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The people gather in the parish hall so that all may process into the church.
The people standing the Celebrant says
Celebrant Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord;
People Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
The Celebrant then continues
Celebrant Let us pray.
Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant then continues
Matthew 21:1-11
When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, `The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
“Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
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“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying,
“This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
The Celebrant then says the following blessing.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way.
Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for Amen.
Celebrant: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
People: Hosanna in the highest.
Procession
Celebrant Let us go forth in peace.
People In the name of Christ. Amen.
The people will process from the parish hall into the church, all holding palm branches in their hands.
The following is said in unison.
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Psalm 118:1-2,19-29
Confitemini Domino
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now proclaim, *
“His mercy endures for ever.”
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the LORD.
20 “This is the gate of the LORD; *
he who is righteous may enter.”
21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 On this day the LORD has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Hosannah, LORD, hosannah! *
LORD, send us now success.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; *
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 God is the LORD; he has shined upon us; *
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
28 “You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you.”
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.
The procession then continues into the church and the people may go to their places in
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the pews.
All halt while the Collect is said.
Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 50:4-9a
All sit.
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
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Psalm
Remain seated.
Psalm 31:9-16
9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and
even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
I have said, “You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me.”
THE EPISTLE Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And
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being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
ALL STAND.
SEQUENCE HYMN Breathe on me, Breath of God Hymnal 508
PASSION GOSPEL Matthew 27:11-54
All may be seated for the reading of the Passion Gospel. At the verse which mentions the arrival at Golgotha all stand.
Priest The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory be to thee, O Lord
Narrator Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him,
Pilate Are you the King of the Jews?
Narrator Jesus said, “You say so.”
Narrator But when Jesus was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him,
Pilate Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?
Narrator But Jesus gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Now at the festival, the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to the crowd,
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Pilate Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?
Narrator For Pilate realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests and the elders had handed Jesus over.
While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him,
Wife Has nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.
Narrator Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed.
The governor again said to them,
Pilate Which of the two do you want me to release for you?
Narrator And the crowd said,
Congregation Barabbas.
Narrator Pilate said to them,
Pilate Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?
Narrator All of them said,
Congregation Let him be crucified!
Narrator Then Pilate asked,
Pilate Why, what evil has he done?
Narrator But the crowd shouted all the more,
Congregation Let him be crucified!
Narrator So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot
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was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying,
Pilate I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.
Narrator Then the people as a whole answered,
Congregation His blood be on us and on our children!
Narrator So Pilate released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped Jesus and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying,
Soldier Hail, King of the Jews!
Narrator They spat on Jesus, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
As they went out, the soldiers came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry Jesus’ cross.
All stand.
And when the soldiers came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him.
Over Jesus’ head they put the charge against him, which read,
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Soldier This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
Narrator Then two bandits were crucified with Jesus, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying,
Bystndr You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Narrator In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Jesus, saying,
Elder He saved others; he cannot save himself.
Scribe He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.
Elder He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if God wants to; for this man said, “I am God’s Son.”
Narrator The bandits who were crucified with Jesus also taunted him in the same way.
From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?“
that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of the bystanders heard it, they said,
Bystndr This man is calling for Elijah.
Narrator At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said,
Bystndr Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.
Narrator Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.
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Silence may be kept.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many.
Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said,
Soldier Truly this man was God’s Son!
Sermon The Rev Keith Fallis
Nicene Creed
All stand.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
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On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the People
All remain standing.
Silence
Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession of Sin
All kneel.
Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8, 9
Silence.
Minister and People together say
Almighty God,
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Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
maker of all things, judge of all men:
We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins
and wickedness,
which we from time to time most grievously have committed,
by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty,
provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us.
We do earnestly repent,
and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings;
the remembrance of them is grievous unto us,
the burden of them is intolerable.
Have mercy upon us,
have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may ever hereafter
serve and please thee in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of thy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Priest stands and says
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15
Peace
All stand.
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And with thy spirit.
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Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Announcements
Announcements may be made at this point in the service.
Holy Communion
The Celebrant says
THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
The Celebrant says
Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.
OFFERTORY HYMN Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended Hymnal 158
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Old Hundredth, v. 3 Hymnal 380
3 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host:
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praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offerings of bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the deacon or celebrant. The people stand while the offerings are presented and placed on the Altar.
Great Thanksgiving
The people remain standing.
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them up unto the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
People It is meet and right so to do.
The Celebrant proceeds
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who for our sins was lifted high upon the cross, that he might draw the whole world to himself; who by his suffering and death became the author of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him.
Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,
Sanctus
Celebrant and People
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The people stand or kneel.
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The Celebrant continues
All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.
And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.
And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.
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And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him.
And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord;
By whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. AMEN.
The Celebrant then continues
And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,
People and Celebrant
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
A period of silence is kept.
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Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace.
We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
The Celebrant says
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
All baptized persons are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
The Celebrant says
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
All baptized persons are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
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COMMUNION HYMNS O sacred head, sore wounded Hymnal 168
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After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
Celebrant and People
Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Blessing
The priest blesses the people, saying
The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
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POSTCOMMUNION HYMN When I survey the wondrous cross
Hymnal 474
Dismissal
Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.
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HOLY WEEK
On Thursday we begin the celebration of the Triduum, the three-day remembrance of the pivotal events of salvation history and the highest and most solemn celebration of the Christian year.
On Thursday evening at 6:30 we will participate in Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples before the trial and crucifixion. Maundy Thursday gets its name from the mandate which Jesus gave his disciples, “That you love one another, just as I have loved you.” (Jn 15:12.) It was on this day that Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion, so that we might share forever in both his crucifixion and in his victory over sin and death. On this night, on the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus prayed this prayer for us, “ . . . that the love with which You loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (Jn 17:25-26.)
At the conclusion of the service, the Altar is stripped as we enter the desolation of Good Friday, the day of Christ’s crucifixion. Reserve Sacrament is moved to the Columbarium. If you are so moved, you are invited to come at any time during the night to pray and keep vigil with Jesus as he enters the Garden of Gethsemane. This vigil will be kept until sunrise Friday.
The service continues on Friday evening at 6:30 as the Church gathers to remember and contemplate the sacrifice which Jesus made for us upon the Cross. Good Friday is called “good” because it is the day on which Jesus won salvation for us, doing what Adam and Eve failed to do, namely, to live life in faithful obedience (a word which implies both loving adoration and unfailing attentiveness to God’s Presence), even through the trial of crucifixion and death. As Jesus foretold, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” (Jn 12:32)
The Triduum concludes with the Great Vigil of Easter. Ancient tradition (which the Book of Common Prayer continues) dictates that this service cannot begin until after sunset because, in Jesus’ day, the day ended and began at sunset. In this highest celebration of the Christian year we remember the central events of salvation history, and we celebrate that history’s culmination in the Empty Tomb, the Resurrection of Jesus, and Christ’s victory over death. From ancient times, the Easter Vigil was the time at which new Christians were baptized into the Body of Christ. It was also the time at which Christians, who because of
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notorious sins had been separated from the Church, were welcomed back into the full Communion and Fellowship of Christ’s Body after a season of penitence (Lent).
The Episcopal Church is an Anglican church, with an unbroken line of Tradition reaching back through the English and Scottish Churches, back through the Celtic Church, and back through the age of the Apostles all the way to Jesus. We are a modern church that keeps the ancient Tradition, always striving to strike the proper balance between keeping Tradition, and fulfilling Tradition. The Triduum is the high point and, perhaps, the most sacred and ancient tradition of the Church year. We keep it, not only because it is Tradition, but also because it continues to enrich and inform our lives in the modern world and our common life in the Church.