Lent and Easter at St. Andrew's
Lent and Easter is a special time at St. Andrew's. Below you will find more information about how St. Andrew's reflects and celebrates during these times.
Shrove Tuesday
Each year, the youth of St. Andrew's sponsors the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. The youth group plans, cooks and serves a delicious meal of pancakes (different varieties, including blueberry and chocolate chip), breakfast meats and fruit. This is a special time of fellowship, and an opportunity for the youth to give back to the church community.
Ash Wednesday
Each year on Ash Wednesday, we hold 3 worship service: 8:30 AM, 12 noon and 7 PM.
Lent
Lenten Windows
Each Sunday during Lent, members of our congregation paint one of our 7 windows to depict the Bible verse for that week. These paintings remain through Easter and provide our congregation with a constant reminder of the lessons during Lent.
Bible Studies
Each year, we have a special Lenten Bible Study class for anyone who wishes to dig deeper into the lessons of the season.
Holy Week
Holy Thursday
On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the giving of two commandments by Jesus. This is why it is also called Maundy Thursday – “maundy” meaning “command” in Latin. On this holy night, Jesus commands us to love one another and to celebrate his presence through bread and wine – “DO THIS.” We remember this holy night, by first, having our annual Passover Seder meal and potluck. The Seder recalls the Exodus from Egypt and our Hebrew ancestor’s Passover into Freedom. It was this meal that Jesus gathered his disciples in the Upper Room to celebrate. Our Seder is a brief ritual shared around the potluck dinner table. Some may ask, why do a Jewish rite? By the remembering the Seder, we remember the roots of our Eucharist in the Passover supper Jesus celebrated on the night before his death. This brief ritual is geared for families and children, and Pastor Dave always has special treats for the children who come. Thus, we begin our Holy days by sharing a potluck supper of love for one another. Following our fellowship meal, we move to the sanctuary to celebrate, briefly once again, our Christian Passover, through foot washing (pre-selected folks) and Eucharist - our Passover from death to life.
Good Friday
On Good Friday, we remember the death and sacrifice of Jesus by a service of Tenebrae (Darkness). Candles are extinguished and the darkness comes. This year, Pastor Dave, Rev. Andy and Alicia O’Brien will offer mediations on the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. This service, too, is moving, for we leave the service in darkness, yearning for the light of Easter. I do not believe you can appreciate the light and joy of Easter Sunday without having gone through the darkness of Good Friday.
That night, we also begin a 12 hour prayer vigil. Members of the church sigh up for a half hour prayer time, and come throughout the night to pray. Alicia and Andrew O’Brien have volunteered to be here through the night, so you will not be alone, and you can sign up as a couple or a family. Prayer meditations will be at each of the painted Lenten windows. Our task that night is to pray for the church and our world.
That night, we also begin a 12 hour prayer vigil. Members of the church sigh up for a half hour prayer time, and come throughout the night to pray. Alicia and Andrew O’Brien have volunteered to be here through the night, so you will not be alone, and you can sign up as a couple or a family. Prayer meditations will be at each of the painted Lenten windows. Our task that night is to pray for the church and our world.
Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the joy of the Resurrection by two services of Word and Table, and by our famous Easter fellowship breakfast which is held in between the two celebrations.
Easter Egg Hunt
We also have an annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children. This year, the Easter Egg Hunt will be taking place during the Sunday school hour at 10:15 AM.
