Our Journey Through Holy Week

Transcription

1 April 2017 The Episcopal Church in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace Inside this issue: From the Rector 1 Music Notes 2 From the Senior Warden 3 Pennsylvania Hope Ride 4 Easter Dedications 5 Politics, Facts & Civility 6 The Episcopal Church and Social Justice 6 Flower Dedications 7 Holy Week Schedule 8 Round of Prayer 9 Birthdays 9 Our Journey Through Holy Week Dear Friends in Christ, Once again, Holy Week is nearly upon us. For all the energy and excitement that surrounds Advent and Christmas, Holy Week is our most important liturgical progression of the year. Following the Sunday of the Passion (also known more familiarly as Palm Sunday) our walk together through Holy Week begins the next morning. Our weekday mornings during Holy Week begin with Morning Prayer, said in the chancel at 8:00 AM. If you have not yet experienced Tenebrae, please try to join us on Wednesday, April 12 th, at 7:00 PM. Tenebrae is a liturgical observance with deep monastic roots. The Latin name means darkness or shadows and we might think of this evening service as the beginning of our descent into the gathering From the Rector The Rev. Dr. Herbert Sprouse twilight of Jesus last days on earth. It is a service that is both very simple and highly dramatic, taking place in the total darkness of our undercroft. My experience is that once you have attended Tenebrae you will never want to miss it. Our Journey through Holy Week continues with three primary services, known collectively as the Triduum. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and The Great Vigil of Easter are all much more familiar to us than Tenebrae, but never lose their ability to move us emotionally and spiritually. Maundy Thursday (7:00PM) includes a Eucharist that follows the ceremonial washing of feet. This act symbolizes Jesus invitation to all of us to follow Him in servant ministry to the world. As the service concludes, the altar and the entire sanctuary are stripped of every last bit of ornament and furnishing. We depart in silence. (Continued on page 3)

2 Page 2 From our Organist and Choirmaster Cathy Elkiss The Episcopal Epistle THE PRINCE OF PEACE CHOIRS: The Lord is risen indeed Alleluia! Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Then did He rise: Hear, O ye people, hear it, O ye dead. He rose and burst the bonds of death and triumphed over the grave. Then first humanity triumphant passed the crystal ports of light and seized eternal youth! When in our music God is glorified. - from, Easter Song, by William Billings The choirs continue to be hard at work in preparing music for Sunday worship, as well as and especially for the upcoming Holy Week and Easter services. More singers and ringers are always needed and welcomed! If you are not yet a member of one (or both) of the Prince of Peace Choirs, please consider yourself warmly invited to become a part of this very important ministry in the life of the church, especially at this special time of year! No previous musical skills or background is needed: only a desire to have a wonderful time enjoying the fun and fellowship of others as we sing, ring and make melody in our hearts to the Lord with Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Prince of Peace Adult Choir: rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM. Prince of Peace Handbell Choir: rehearses on Tuesday afternoons at 4:00 PM. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns about our choirs or the Music Ministry in general: (717) ; celkiss@pa.net Many thanks to the Prince of Peace Choir for the lovely flower arrangement given to me on my first Sunday at Prince of Peace; and to the members of the Congregation as well for making me feel so welcome... you have all blessed me with your kindness thank you! (Continued on page 4)

3 The Episcopal Epistle Last year we added a new element to our devotions with the installation of a Gethsemane Garden as the focal point of our overnight Vigil on Maundy Thursday evening. The garden, softly lit, recalls the beautiful, isolated scene of Jesus last hours of prayer before his betrayal and arrest. Most who sat for the vigil found the garden to be very moving. Good Friday is the moment at which every beautiful thing seems to be extinguished and our sorrow at the unjust execution of the Son of God knows no bounds. This service (once again at 7:00PM) is starkly simple. Like the church itself, the liturgy is stripped of all ornament. Its prayers are profound. And again, we depart from one another in silence. The Great Vigil of Easter carries us from the darkness of Good Friday to the moment when Easter arrives and we experience the full impact of the Resurrection. Beginning outdoors in the darkness (at 8:00PM this time) we kindle a new fire and light the Pascal Candle. The first half of the liturgy is candlelit and very ancient in its resonances. At the midway point, however, Easter arrives, the lights come up, the beautiful flowers and decorations of Easter appear and we sing and proclaim Alleluia for the first time since the last Sunday before Lent began. It is a moment unlike any other during the church year. Our Journey through Holy Week is the most significant and formative time we can spend together as a community of faith. Please join us for as many of these important experiences as you possibly can. Yours in the Risen Christ, Fr. Herb From the Rector (continued from page 1) Page 3 From the Senior Warden Nancy L. Members of the Vestry, the Senior and Junior Wardens, and Father Herb met for a one-day retreat at the Seminary Library on Saturday, March 25. The agenda topic was Social Justice specifically how social justice differs from social service and how our parish might become more engaged with social justice issues. Following Morning Prayer, a modern day parable was shared and discussed to drive home the point that there is a difference between social service and social justice. To summarize, one can deal with a symptom of a problem, which is usually apparent and always important, and/or go to the root of the problem, which is usually more difficult to identify and address. Donating a meal to the Soup Kitchen might fall into the first category; finding ways to eliminate the need for a Soup Kitchen might fall under the second. (This is a very simplified explanation. See one of the retreat participants for a fuller explanation!) The immediate needs of our community are largely being met by a variety of churches and other non-profits in our community and by the social action of many of our individual parish members. While fully supporting the continuance of our social service activities, Father Herb pointed to the need for a greater involvement with social justice issues in our community. The group then examined The Episcopal Church s Policy for Action document. (Copies are available for your perusal in the Stahle (Continued on page 6)

4 Page 4 (Continued from page 2) A BIG THANK YOU to the members of the Prince of Peace Adult and Handbell Choirs for their continuing hard work, many extra rehearsals, and their enthusiasm in providing beautiful music throughout the Lent/Holy Week/Easter season. In addition to their Sunday morning singing and ringing, special music is/was provided by the choirs for Palm/Passion Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Services. Many thanks to all! SING THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS ON EASTER SUNDAY Members and friends of the congregation are invited to join the choirs in the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus on Easter Sunday at the 10:15 AM worship service: a short rehearsal will be held after the 10:15 AM worship service on Palm/Passion Sunday, April 9 th, in the chancel. Please join us all are welcome! SPECIAL MUSIC ON EASTER SUNDAY Be sure to come a bit early for the 10:15 Easter Sunday worship service on April 16 th, The Episcopal Epistle where an extended prelude of festive music for this Resurrection Day will be provided by the members of the Prince of Peace Adult and Handbell Choirs and Music for Brass Quintet and Organ. Pennsylvania HOPE RIDE Jim and Ellen T. are cycling 170 miles from Hershey to Kutztown and back to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The event is called the PENNSYL- VANIA HOPE RIDE, and they will be riding with about 100 other cyclists. The money raised supports cancer research as well as the Hope Lodges, where patients and their families stay for free during treatments. Please support them with a donation. Donations may be left with Carolyn Fouts in the church office. The bicycle ride leaves from the Hope Lodge in Hershey on June 24. On the first day riders have the choice of a 70 or 100 mile course to Kutztown University. The next day they return to Hershey via a different 70 mile route. It seems everyone knows someone who has, or had cancer. Jim and Ellen will be riding for Mother Bonnie, Hunter S. (Ellen s dad), Francie W. (Ellen s aunt), Chuck D., Bill H., Tom B., Ron L., and Kathy K.. Let Jim and Ellen know who your donation is in memory of, and they will add their names to those listed above. Riders wear the names on their jerseys.

5 The Episcopal Epistle EASTER FLOWER DEDICATIONS Page 5 EASTER FLOWER DEDICATIONS Prince of Peace is now accepting Easter altar flower dedications, which will appear in the Easter Day bulletins. Any amount you wish to contribute will be gratefully received and will go toward our Easter decorations. Please note: you must turn in your dedication by Palm Sunday, March 20th, to appear in the Easter bulletins. (Donations can still be turned in after that date, but it will not be possible to include the dedications in the bulletin.). All donations should be dropped off in the offering plate or church office, or mailed to the church office. Thank you! I have enclosed a donation for the Easter Decoration Fund. By: (please print your name and phone number) Dedication: ( In loving memory of In thanksgiving for etc.)

6 Page 6 The Episcopal Epistle (Continued from page 3) Parlor.) Over the past decades, The Episcopal Church has adopted policies on a range of issues related to justice and peace through its General Convention. This very extensive document outlines the breadth of our Church s witness on a variety of subjects local and global. Take an opportunity to examine this document. I think you will find it most impressive and inspiring. In an effort to make Prince of Peace a leading participant in these efforts to pursue social justice in our community, several programmatic efforts were suggested. The first was brought to the retreat by parishioner Kerr T.. Kerr has launched a group called Politics Facts Civility, through Meetup.com. Meetup is an online social networking portal that facilitates offline group meetings in various localities around the world. Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest, such as social justice issues. This group would primarily advance the state of our current civic conversations through constructive, civil dialogue between members with contrasting viewpoints. There are two other programs currently under discussion with the vestry and others. What does this mean to you? We are asking for your support in our effort to undertake a more concerted effort in the area of social justice. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find more information about joining the Meetup group, and Kerr T. is looking for a co -organizer. We will be describing other social justice programs as they develop. Once these initiatives are set up, all of us can support by participating! Politics, Facts, & Civility Politics, Facts, & Civility is an organization for people who are troubled by our current political climate and want to examine issues in a civil atmosphere of mutual respect. Membership is free and open to anyone, regardless of political affiliation or point of view, who supports courteous and fact-based discussion. Like similar organizations elsewhere, it offers participants the opportunity to explain their views and to listen to others. The conversations will focus on issues, not personalities and will ensure that everyone gets a fair share of air time. Politics, Facts and Civility is coordinated by Prince of Peace parishioner Kerr T.. The first step in getting involved is to join the group at Meetup.com. There is no cost or obligation. Once you are in that group, times and topics will be directly communicated to you. We anticipate that these conversations will be held at Prince of Peace. For further information, go to speak with Kerr. The Episcopal Church and Social Justice As you have read in our Sr. Warden s report about our recent vestry retreat, one thing that took nearly the entire vestry by surprise was the extent of our national church s engagement in social justice issues. The Episcopal Church has a rich history of carefully constructed positions on major justice issues that goes back many decades. These positions are developed by our General Convention, often over many years of study and debate. They are publicized widely and form the basis of (Continued on page 7)

7 The Episcopal Epistle Page 7 FLOWER DEDICATIONS If you would like to make an altar flower dedication in loving memory or thanksgiving for loved ones or special events, please fill out the form on the parlor credenza, or call the church office at The cost is $30.00 (or $15.00 if the date is shared with another dedication). We cannot reserve dates for single dedications, so you may have to share a date with another party. The book in Stahle Parlor has been updated to include dates for Please make your check payable to Prince of Peace and mark it Altar Flowers on the Memo Line. April 2 April 9 April 16 April 23 April 30 Lent - No Flowers Lent - No Flowers Easter Dedications In celebration of the birthday of Bill R., by Jennifer R. and in memory of Nathaniel H., by Cicely H-W.. Available Help us keep our records up to date. Let us know if you have changed your , phone number or mailing address. Also, let us know if we have missed your birthday or anniversary; we may not have the information in our database. Prince of Peace Office (Continued from page 6) the church s work in public policy and governmental issues. To be clear, no individual Episcopalian or parish is required to subscribe to any of these positions. Such a requirement would run counter to the deepest traditions of our Episcopal polity. However, as the official positions of our church, they deserve our careful consideration whenever social justice issues are taught or debated. Knowledge about these social justice positions is an important part of being an Episcopalian. The vestry reviewed an extensive 2016 document entitled Policy for Action, a compendium of the social positions developed by our church over about the last 25 years. It is fascinating information and, from my point of view, it is work in which we can all take considerable pride. I invite you all to take a good look at this document and its companion, Faith and Citizenship, which suggests important ways in which Episcopalians can interact with our governmental and election processes. We will have copies of these two documents available in the Stahle Parlor. If you wish to save a tree or two, simply the office (secretary@gettysburgepiscopal.org) and we will forward them to you as.pdf files. Should you wish to receive notices and news directly from the Episcopal Church, visit the National Church s website for the Episcopal Public Policy Network ( to sign up for electronic newsletters and notices. You will also find many pages on the Episcopal Church s home website describing our work in specific policy and program areas. Fr. Herb

8 Page 8 The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace SCHEDULE OF SERVICES HOLY WEEK AND EASTER PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 9TH 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I 10:15 AM Palm Sunday Procession and Holy Eucharist, Rite II MONDAY, APRIL 10TH TUESDAY, APRIL 11TH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12TH 12:00 PM Holy Eucharist 7:00 PM Tenebrae MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 13TH 7:00 PM Holy Eucharist GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 14TH 7:00 PM Good Friday Liturgy HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 15TH 8:00 PM The Great Vigil of Easter THE DAY OF THE RESURRECTION: EASTER DAY 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I 9:50 AM Easter Music Prelude 10:15 AM Choral Eucharist, Rite II SERVICE SCHEDULE SUNDAY HOLY EUCHARIST 8:00 a.m. Rite I Holy Eucharist 10:15 a.m. Rite II Holy Eucharist WEDNESDAY HOLY EUCHARIST 12:00 Noon Holy Eucharist MAY NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 19 Articles to: secretary@gettysburgepiscopal.org The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace P O Box 3005, 20 W High St. Gettysburg, PA Telephone: The Rev. Dr. Herbert Sprouse, Rector rector@gettysburgepiscopal.org The Rev. Richard Randall Priest Associate Cathy Elkiss Organist and Choirmaster Carolyn Fouts Parish Administrator secretary@gettysburgepiscopal.org Chris Abplanalp, Sexton Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Website:

9 The Memorial Church News of and the Notes Prince of Peace Page 9 PARISH ROUND OF PRAYER FOR APRIL 2017 April 2 Bonnie and John B.; Neal B. and Michael S.; Craig B.; Heidi and Len B. April 9 Ben B.; Karen and Duane B.; Marian and David B; Anne and Jerry B. April 16 Polly, Mike, Sam and Max C.; Shirlee and Ralph C.; Karen C.; Teresa, Paul, Earl and Meagan C. April 23 Mary C.; Pamela and Michael C.-W.; Linda and David C.; David C.; Jacque C. April 30 Bernice C.; Diana, Bill and Calvin C.; Steve D.; Marian D.; Mary and Paul D. APRIL BIRTHDAYS 3rd Deb E. 4th Connor D. 6th Charles S. 7th Paige S. 8th Julie W. 9th Justin M. 10th Jeffrey S. 11th Neil B. April 2 5 Lent Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 April 9 Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 24:14-27:54 April 16 Easter Day Jeremiah 31:1-6 14th Andrew R. 15th Joe D. 17th Amie P. 19th Ellen T. 18th Jim V. 20th Joan M. 22nd Shirley P. 29th Valerie P. Psalm 118:1-2, Acts 10:34-43 John 20:1-18 April 23 2 Easter Acts 2:14a, Psalm 16 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 April 30 3 Easter Acts 2:14a, Psalm 116:1-3, Peter 1:17-23 Luke 24:13-35 APRIL ANNIVERSARIES 3rd Nancy & Mike L. 14th Kathleen Z. & Jim V. 15th Jill & Donald L. 20th Joan & Keith M. The Sunday Lectionary is available on our website, through a subscription to Preparing for Sunday. The readings for the coming Sunday are available, along with the previous Sunday and the following Sunday, and each week s readings include a short paragraph about the reading, and a reflection and response at the end. At Prince of Peace we use Track 1 for the Old Testament and Psalm.