Easter Sunday
March 31, 2024 10:30 a.m.
March 31, 2024 10:30 a.m.
Joint Good Friday Service with
Crossroads United Methodist Church
March 29, 2024
Crossroads United Methodist Church
March 29, 2024
Agape meal and service
Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024
Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024
What is an Agape Meal?
An Agape meal is an ancient feast of a communal meal shared by Christians, ‘agape’ - uh-gah-pay - being a Greek word that reflects God’s unconditional love. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus shared a meal with his disciples. He shared this meal in the home tradition and setting of the Passover meal.
The washing of feet, the sharing of bread and wine, and the new commandment to love one another all happened in a home, in a room where Jesus drew his friends together as host, teacher, friend, and master who was there to serve them all.
This evening marks the beginning of the three-day celebration of Christian Passover. This service recognizes the profound connection between the celebration of the Eucharist and the meals we share in daily life. Therefore, though this rite is not the sacrament of the Eucharist, it reminds us of the holiness, the “sacramentality” of all meals, the holiness of all food, and the presence of the Risen Christ whenever we break bread.
The Music
Singing is one of the most important forms of prayer. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. They express a basic reality of faith that can quickly be grasped by the intellect, and that gradually penetrates the heart and the whole being. These simple chants also provide a way of praying when one is alone, in the day or at night, or even in the silence of one's heart while one is working.
Adapted from Songs and Prayer from Taize
An Agape meal is an ancient feast of a communal meal shared by Christians, ‘agape’ - uh-gah-pay - being a Greek word that reflects God’s unconditional love. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus shared a meal with his disciples. He shared this meal in the home tradition and setting of the Passover meal.
The washing of feet, the sharing of bread and wine, and the new commandment to love one another all happened in a home, in a room where Jesus drew his friends together as host, teacher, friend, and master who was there to serve them all.
This evening marks the beginning of the three-day celebration of Christian Passover. This service recognizes the profound connection between the celebration of the Eucharist and the meals we share in daily life. Therefore, though this rite is not the sacrament of the Eucharist, it reminds us of the holiness, the “sacramentality” of all meals, the holiness of all food, and the presence of the Risen Christ whenever we break bread.
The Music
Singing is one of the most important forms of prayer. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. They express a basic reality of faith that can quickly be grasped by the intellect, and that gradually penetrates the heart and the whole being. These simple chants also provide a way of praying when one is alone, in the day or at night, or even in the silence of one's heart while one is working.
Adapted from Songs and Prayer from Taize
Palm Sunday,
March 24, 2024
Service began with blessing of the palms in the Guild Hall at 10:15 a.m. and a procession around the church
March 24, 2024
Service began with blessing of the palms in the Guild Hall at 10:15 a.m. and a procession around the church
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 10, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
March 10, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
St. Paul's in prayer
Easter 2023:
Answering the call and sharing the light
Answering the call and sharing the light
The penance and promise of Good Friday
Good Friday: The Passion, the despair and, ultimately, the hope
St. Paul's Good Friday service offered a chance for us all to reflect on the cross and the loving sacrifice of God.
"We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise and glorify your holy resurrection; for by virtue of your cross joy has come to the whole world."
" We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world."
"O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us: Save us and help us, we humbly ask you, O Lord."
On this Saturday of reflection as well, you can click here to view the service, including Music Director Edward Grimes chanting The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
"We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise and glorify your holy resurrection; for by virtue of your cross joy has come to the whole world."
" We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world."
"O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us: Save us and help us, we humbly ask you, O Lord."
On this Saturday of reflection as well, you can click here to view the service, including Music Director Edward Grimes chanting The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Maundy Thursday:
The servant leadership of Jesus
The servant leadership of Jesus
At the Maundy Thursday service, Deacon Robin Woodberry and Fr. Christopher Hofer modeled the servant leadership Jesus Christ offered his disciples at the Last Supper, washing their feet even over the protests of Simon Peter.
"Dear friends in Christ: on the night before his death, Jesus set an example for his disciples by washing their feet, an act of humble service. He taught that strength and growth in the life of the Kingdom of God come not by power, authority, or even miracle, but by such lowly service. We all need to remember his example. ...This is an opportunity to humble ourselves; to let go of our pride, our status."
The service ended with the stripping of the altar in preparation for the solemnity of Good Friday. St. Paul's is offering Stations of the Cross at noon today, and our Good Friday service at 7p.m.
"Dear friends in Christ: on the night before his death, Jesus set an example for his disciples by washing their feet, an act of humble service. He taught that strength and growth in the life of the Kingdom of God come not by power, authority, or even miracle, but by such lowly service. We all need to remember his example. ...This is an opportunity to humble ourselves; to let go of our pride, our status."
The service ended with the stripping of the altar in preparation for the solemnity of Good Friday. St. Paul's is offering Stations of the Cross at noon today, and our Good Friday service at 7p.m.
Palm Sunday and The Passion
The Palm Sunday service at St. Paul's began with a joyous processional commemmorating Jesus' triumphant march into Jerusalem.
For the first time in decades (but not the last) we entered the church through the historic stone ediface on Fifth Street SW, constructed 100 years ago. Fr. Brian Wilbert, the archivist for the Diocese of Ohio, served as assisting clergy, and the service included a communal reading of the Passion according to St. Matthew with members of the congregation reading the words of Matthew.
In her sermon, the Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry contrasted the joy that started the morning with the dark events in the Gospel that will unfold this Holy Week before a dawning of the ultimate lightness -- Easter's celebration of the resurrection.
Photos by David Rotthoff
To watch a stream of the Palm Sunday service, click on this link.
For the first time in decades (but not the last) we entered the church through the historic stone ediface on Fifth Street SW, constructed 100 years ago. Fr. Brian Wilbert, the archivist for the Diocese of Ohio, served as assisting clergy, and the service included a communal reading of the Passion according to St. Matthew with members of the congregation reading the words of Matthew.
In her sermon, the Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry contrasted the joy that started the morning with the dark events in the Gospel that will unfold this Holy Week before a dawning of the ultimate lightness -- Easter's celebration of the resurrection.
Photos by David Rotthoff
To watch a stream of the Palm Sunday service, click on this link.