Save the Date!

There will be special music for the Vigil of Pentecost at 5:00 PM on Saturday May 26.

The service will include music and readings featuring Petr Eben’s Windows, a cycle of four pieces inspired by Marc Chagall’s Jerusalem Windows, performed by trumpeter Judson Scott and organist Sheila Bristow.

Just a reminder that this is the Saturday when we get the church and grounds ready for Holy Week. The day starts at 9:00 am with coffee and donuts and ends at lunchtime when we celebrate many, many  jobs well done.

Another reminder: At 5:00 PM, the Rite for the Completion of Lent will be said. It’s a short service that brings the Lenten journey to a close.

Music: “The trumpet shall sound”, from Handel’s Messiah; Baritone Glenn Guhr and trumpeter Judson Scott perform. Mezzo soprano Darcy Morrissey and tenor Samuel Rodarte sing “O death, where is thy sting”, from Messiah.  ”O Queen of Heaven, sing with joy” by Michael Praetorius, sung by the Redeemer Choir

About the liturgy: Read about Easter and Holy Week in a booklet that can be obtained at Redeemer or downloaded here:  Holy Week at Redeemer_2012

Celebrate Christ’s Resurrection at Redeemer’s festival Holy Eucharist.   “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”     – “The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia”!

Music: Soprano Molly Barnes and mezzo soprano Darcy Morrissey sing “Laudamus te” from Vivaldi’s Gloria; trumpet solos performed by Judson Scott.

About the liturgy: The information below is contained in a booklet that can be obtained at Redeemer or downloaded here:  Holy Week at Redeemer_2012

From the 1st Century, the Church’s primary celebration of the Resurrection has taken place in the middle of the night on Saturday. It was at this liturgy, during the first centuries of the Church’s history, that the majority of people were baptized. It is the central festival and core of the Church Year.

The Great Vigil of Easter consists of four parts:

1. The Liturgy of Light
2. The Liturgy of Salvation History
3. Christian Initiation
4. Holy Communion

In Roman times, it was the custom to extinguish all fires and lamps when a member of the household had died. The kindling of a “new fire” indicated the period of mourning was ended.

 
Following that custom, the Great Vigil begins on the steps at the entrance to building. A new fire is kindled and blessed. A large candle (called the Paschal Candle) is prepared and blessed.

 
This Paschal Candle represents the resurrection life and light of the Risen Christ. The Paschal Candle is lit from the new fire.

 
The Paschal Candle is carried by the Deacon in a procession into the Nave (worship space). We follow the Paschal Candle into the nave, responding to the sung words “The Light of Christ” by singing “Thanks be to God”.

 
Once we are in the pews, the Paschal Candle is brought to the ends of the rear pews. Those at the back of the room light their candles and pass the light on to others in the pew. The light is then passed forward. Soon the room is ablaze with light, reminding us all of the new light and life given to us in Baptism.

 
The Paschal Candle is placed on its stand. An ancient hymn of praise (the Exsultet), extolling God’s saving actions in the Passover, Exodus and Resurrection is sung by the Deacon.

 
Following the hymn of praise, we are seated. Then a series of six readings, tracing Salvation History in the Hebrew Scriptures, are read. After each reading there is a period of silence. Then a psalm is sung.

Following the readings, the latest chapter in salvation history is written as we renew our Baptismal Covenant and commitment. A very brief interlude follows. This interlude is concluded with a musical selection.

 
Following the musical selection, Holy Communion begins with the joyful announcement “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!” Recalling the wonder with which the first disciples heard this news and with our own joy over our redemption, we respond, “The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia”

 
What follows is the year’s most glorious celebration of Holy Communion. Here at Redeemer, it includes majestic music, with instrumental accompaniment, art, flowers, incense and our best vestments.

 
The Paschal Candle occupies a place of honor beside the Altar, where it will burn throughout the fifty day Easter Season.

 
From that Altar, we receive the Risen Christ and the Resurrection Life he brings in the consecrated bread and wine of the Easter Eucharist (Communion).

 
Following this glorious liturgy we move to the Undercroft for a gala reception to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Music: Soprano Ellaina Lewis sings “Were you there”, arranged by Moses Hogan.

Today we remember the suffering of Christ and contemplate the deep redemptive love of God and its meaning for ourselves and the world.

About the liturgy: The information below is contained in a booklet that can be obtained at Redeemer or downloaded here:  Holy Week at Redeemer_2012

At this liturgy, the first thing to strike our senses is the unfamiliar barrenness of the worship space. There is nothing to distract our attention from the Cross and the saving events we commemorate. It is a time of great solemnity. However, the profundity of the liturgy should not be confused with mourning. We are not conducting a “funeral for Jesus”. Instead, with awe, we contemplate the deep redemptive love of God and its meaning for ourselves and the World.

The liturgy begins in the Nave (our main worship space) with prayer, biblical readings (including The Passion of Our Lord according to John) and a sermon.

 
Following the sermon, a 2nd Century form of the Prayers of the People called “The Solemn Collects” is prayed. Through them, we pray for the World, Creation and ourselves, for whose redemption Our Lord suffered and died.

Next, we participate in devotions which extol Christ’s victory on the Cross.

 
At the conclusion of these devotions. The figure of the Crucified Lord is taken down from the Cross, wrapped in a linen shroud and carried in solemn procession to the Chapel.

 
The figure of Our Lord is symbolically buried in the Chapel. The liturgy concludes with a prayer.

We depart in Silence.

The correct title of this first day of Holy Week is not “Palm Sunday”, but rather “The Sunday of the Passion”. This week we begin in the Undercroft where the liturgy and procession begin, there is one service.

About the liturgy: The information below is contained in a booklet that can be obtained at Redeemer or downloaded here:  Holy Week at Redeemer_2012

The central experience of all worship at Redeemer is communion with Christ and reappropriation of the redemptive power of God in and through receiving the consecrated bread and wine.

However, every liturgy has a thematic core. On this day, that core is the dramatic reading of the account of Our Lord’s passion and death from one of the Gospels; thus the title “Sunday of the Passion”. We do this to “set the stage” and remind us of the events we will commemorate during the rest of Holy Week.

It is the ancient custom of the Church to begin important events and observances with a solemn procession from one location to another. On this day, we begin Holy Week with just such a procession. This procession recalls Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to begin the “mighty acts of salvation”, often called his Exodus (recalling the salvation journey of the Old Testament).

During this procession, we frequently hear the word “hosanna” sung and said. “Hosanna is a Hebrew word which means “Save us, we beseech you”. The word comes from the Gospel account of Jesus’ entry of Jerusalem. It is a reminder that salvation comes to us from God through Christ, accomplished by the events of this last week of Christ’s life.

From the moment of our Baptism onward, we have all become participants in the saving activity of God, making a journey into fuller experience of the Kingdom of God. The Palm Procession, Passion Gospel and reception of the consecrated bread and wine connect our personal spiritual journey with the events through which “life and immortality” have been given.

Music: Nicolas Gigault’s Tantum Ergo, sung by sopranos Erica Row &  Courtney Ruckman; Love bade me welcome, from Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, sung by baritone Glenn Guhr and the Redeemer choir. Cello solos performed by Nathan Whittaker.

About the liturgy: The information below is contained in a booklet that can be obtained at Redeemer or downloaded here:  Holy Week at Redeemer_2012

About Maundy Thursday:

The word “Maundy” in this day’s title comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “commandment”. It is taken from the Gospel according to John’s account of Jesus’ washing of the disciples feet at the Last Supper.
On this day we rejoice in Christ’s establishment of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) as the “sure and certain” means for us to have communion with him and receive the redemptive power of his sacrifice into our lives.
Prior to receiving Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, we participate in a ceremony of “foot-washing”. In John’s Gospel, we learn foot-washing was an act of love by Jesus to his disciples, as well as a reminder of the type of service Christians are called to exercise toward the World and one another. In many parts of the Early Church it was considered to be a sacrament (i.e. the power and love of God was conveyed through the action).

At Redeemer, the foot-washing consists of a small amount of water sprinkled upon your foot, immediately dried with a towel and followed by a kiss, the Christian sign of peace and love. It is a potent experience of the unconditional love God has for all. It is this “holilove” Christians are called to reveal and manifest as they minister.

After we receive Holy Communion, a large piece of the consecrated bread (marked with consecrated wine) is carried in procession to the Altar of Repose in the Education Building. An anthem is sung. The congregation then departs in silence.

Following the congregation’s departure, all decorations, altar furnishings and linens are removed from the sanctuary. This prepares the worship space for the solemn liturgy of Good Friday, and symbolizes the beginning degradations of Our Lord’s Passion.

Gethsemane Vigil:

From that moment until midnight, all are invited to spend a period (traditionally one hour) of prayer, meditation and reflection near the Altar of Repose, in the Education Building. (Reading and devotional materials are provided.) This “Gethsemane Vigil” recalls Our Lord’s prayerful struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane.

At midnight, the account of Jesus’ arrest and removal is read. A prayer is said.

The consecrated bread and wine are taken away.

Dear Friends in Christ,

The Book of Common Prayer reminds us, that “through the Paschal Mystery, we are buried with Christ by Baptism into his death, and raised with him to newness of life.” During Lent, we have been preparing to encounter the Risen Christ at Pascha.

From April 1^st through April 8^th, the Paschal Mystery unfolds in the solemn liturgies of Holy Week. In this most sacred week of the Church Year, we are all called to gather in worship, prayer and thanksgiving, placing our lives into the transforming power of Christ’s dying and rising.

I’m eagerly looking forward to us all being together to share Holy Week. Bring your friends and relatives. We’d love to have them share this sacred and transforming time with us!

Peace, Love & Joy,

DOWNLOAD: CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 2012 HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

PALM SUNDAY

April 1,  10:00 am (only) Procession and Liturgy, (Procession begins in the Undercroft)

MAUNDY THURSDAY

April 5,  7:30 pm:  Liturgy, 9:00 pm-midnight Gethsemane Vigil (Ed. Bldg.)

GOOD FRIDAY

April 6, 7:30 pm:  Good Friday Liturgy

HOLY SATURDAY

April 7, 10:00 am:  Ministry of the Word (Ed. Bldg.)

GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER

April 7,  9:00 pm Vigil, Baptism, Festival Eucharist

Followed by the Gala Agape in the Undercroft. (Overflow parking is available across the street in the Bethany parking lot.)

EASTER DAY

April 8,  11:00 am (only) Festival Holy Eucharist

¡ La Iglesia de la Resurrección Fiesta Navideña 2011 !

Mosoj Yan, based in Cochabamba, Bolivia, provides rehabilitation and prevention programs to adolescent girls who have lived and worked on the streets or who have suffered abuse. Mosoj Yan was founded in 1991 and is a faith-based organization.

Requirements

• Intermediate Spanish
• Experience or education working with children and teens
• Experience in a relevant field (e.g. psychology, education, marketing) is valued, but not necessary
• Motivated and supportive
• Minimum commitment period of three months

More information

Mosoj Yan: www.sustainablebolivia.org/mosoj_yan.html

Sustainable Bolivia: www.sustainablebolivia.org

Housing and other logistical support is available through Mosoj Yan’s partner organization, Sustainable Bolivia. The candidate will be pre-selected by the COR Vestry and then will be referred to Mosoj Yan and Sustainable Bolivia for the final selection and for logistics.

How to apply

Send a resume and statement of interest to Rev. Mark Blindheim by March 31, 2012. Application information sheet.

Email: office@redeemer-kenmore.org •   phone: (425) 486-3777  •  fax: (425) 402-6317

Church of the Redeemer  •  6211 NE 182nd Street, Kenmore, WA     98028