Holy Week 2020 will begin with what Father Stephen has coined “Palm Saturday” services at 5 pm on Saturday, April 4. Father Stephen will be on his way back from a Diocesan Council meeting in Helena at that time (assuming the meeting is still in-person), so The Rev. Canon Waddingham has offered to cover that service. Palm Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, April 5 at 10 am.
We will have a Maundy Thursday service (without foot washing) on Thursday, April 9 at 7 pm. This service will include a somewhat informal Eucharist where parishioners will be encouraged to gather around the table. The altar will be stripped at the conclusion of this service.
On Good Friday, April 10, there will be two services offered. First, at noon we will have the traditional Good Friday liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer. That evening, at 7 pm, we will resume our interdenominational partnership with First Presbyterian and Peace Lutheran congregations with a joint service. The service will be hosted by Peace Lutheran and Father Stephen has been asked to preach (it will be brief, he promises).
On Holy Saturday, St. Stephen’s will not have a service but you are encouraged to consider attending the Easter Vigil at St. Luke’s which will be at 8 pm, followed by champagne and carrot cake.
Finally, we will celebrate the resurrection together on Sunday, April 12 at our normal 10 am service time.
These are the plans as of now, but are subject to change based on factors beyond our control, namely, the coronavirus.
