BELLOWS FALLS — Immanuel Episcopal Church, the stone church on the hill, invites all to help observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter. The church offers several services commemorating the passion and death of Christ and celebrates his resurrection with two festive services on Easter morning.
The Maundy Thursday service on Thursday, April 13, will begin at 6 p.m. in the Chapel, according to a news release. The word maundy is derived from the Latin word mandatum (commandment) and refers to Jesus giving the “new commandment” to “love one another as I have loved you” to his disciples at the Last Supper (John 13:34).
This service commemorates the Last Supper with a Eucharist service in the Chapel. Then worshippers move to the garden (the cemetery) to commemorate Jesus' vigil and prayer in Gethsemane. The service ends in complete silence, with the stripping of the altar, in recognition of the despair and death to come.
Good Friday, April 14, commemorates the Stations of the Cross with a special service in the main church at 6 p.m. The liturgy follows the steps (or stations) Jesus took in the passion.
The Easter Vigil is called the “king of liturgies” and this high point of the church year is Saturday, April 15, at 6 p.m. in the Chapel. After lighting the new fire of Easter and moving from darkness to light, the ancient stories of God's people will be told. A potluck supper will be shared in the Undercroft prior to the service at 4:30 p.m.
All are welcome to attend these services. For more information, call 802-463-3100 or visit www.immanuelepiscopal.org.