Holy Week and Easter Day


Our Lenten journey culminates in Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and concluding in the Great Triduum, the three-day celebration of Jesus' passion and Resurrection. 


Holy Week offers the invitation to walk with Jesus through the last week of His life and to actually find yourself in the story of salvation. In doing this, we remember that redemption didn't just happen over 2000 years ago on a hill called Golgotha, but redemption happens today in Nashville, TN, and in a people called St. Bartholomew's. 


Download a copy of the schedule: Triduum_2023_Eucharist_Schedule.pdf


Palm Sunday

April 2, 8:30 & 11 a.m. 

Find yourself in the story by waving a palm branch and singing Hosanna, and crying “crucify” during the reading of the Passion narrative.


Our worship on Palm Sunday begins with the Liturgy and Procession of the Palms as we remember how Jesus entered Jerusalem to the laying down of palms and shouts of “Hosanna,” battle cries of a people who believed their King was about to claim back their “Holy City,” not die on a cross. The tone of the liturgy changes with the reading of the Passion Gospel from Luke. 


Children are invited to join the altar team for the Procession of the Palms.


Instead of individual classes, join us for community formation at 10 a.m. as we make palm crosses and eat donuts. 



Maundy Thursday

April 6, 7 p.m. 

The Triduum of Holy Week begins on Maundy Thursday. 


Find yourself in the story by washing feet, gathering at the table, and watching the sanctuary stripped bare.


Maundy is the Latin word for command (mandatum), and it refers to the command given by Jesus to his disciples to love one another on the night Christ washed the disciple’s feet and transformed the Passover meal. This part of the Triduum invites us to participate in this mandate by washing each other’s feet. The evening also celebrates the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Following communion, a time of watching, waiting, and contemplating begins as the altar and sanctuary are stripped bare, commemorating Christ, who was stripped of his clothes.


The church will remain open for an hour after the service for silent meditation.


Childcare offered for 3 yrs. and under with an RSVP by Sunday, April 2 to nursery@stbs.net. Children 5 yrs. and up are encouraged to participate in the liturgy, including the foot washing with their families.





 


Stations of the Cross

Good Friday, April 7

Self-Guided Stations, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Congregational Stations, 5:15 p.m. 

Our Holy Week liturgies continue on Good Friday. Find yourself in the story as we carry the cross around the stations at 5:15 p.m. and kneel before the empty cross during the Liturgy at 7:00 p.m.

 

This St. B's family-favorite service can be traced back to people who made the actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the earliest years of the Church. It is a way of praying through Christ’s journey to the cross, from his arrest through his passion, without having to travel to the holy city. 


Self-Guided Stations of the Cross | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 


Children, individuals, and small groups are invited to walk the stations with the help of an interactive packet and materials that include crafted activities and questions for children, teens, and adults. These self-led stations can be accessed anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Good Friday. If it rains, this will be canceled.


Congregational Stations of the Cross | 5:15 p.m. 


This liturgy’s roots can be traced back to people who made the actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the earliest years of the Church. It is a way of praying through Christ's journey to the cross, from his arrest through his passion, without having to actually travel to the holy city. Weather permitting, we follow the stations around the walking path outside, sharing the burden of carrying a large wooden cross. This is a family-friendly service. Children are encouraged to participate!

Good Friday Liturgy

April 7, 7 p.m.

Find yourself in the story of Holy Week as we kneel before the empty cross during the Liturgy at 7:00 p.m. 


This part of the Triduum dates back to the third century and marks the solemnity of this day. The Passion and death of our Lord are read from the Gospel of John, followed by a homily. The two distinct features of this service are the Veneration of the Cross and the Solemn Collects. These prayers of the people call us to remember our responsibility to continue the mission of Jesus in the wake of his death. 


Childcare offered for 3 yrs. and under for the 7 p.m. liturgy with an RSVP by Sunday, April 2 to nursery@stbs.net.

Easter Vigil

Holy Saturday, April 8, 7 p.m. 

The Triduum concludes with the Easter Vigil. Find yourself in the story by sitting in the dark and watching the light fill the sanctuary, hearing the story of salvation, renewing our baptismal vows, and celebrating the first Eucharist of Easter. 


The Easter Vigil contains some of the oldest prayers and rituals in the Christian tradition. The liturgy is made up of four parts, the first being the Service of Light: A fire is kindled in the back of the church, marking the resurrection of Christ sometime in the night. From this fire, the Paschal Candle is lit, and then the congregants' candles. The second part is the Service of the Word, where we hear the story of salvation told through the reading of Scripture. Thirdly, the liturgy unfolds with baptisms and our own recommitment to Christ, His church, and His mission in the world. Finally, the liturgy concludes with the first Eucharist of Easter. 


Childcare offered for 3 yrs. and under with an RSVP by Sunday, April 2 to nursery@stbs.net. 


Don't forget to bring a bell if you have one. 

Easter Sunday

April 9, 8:30 and 11 a.m. 

Celebrate Easter with Holy Eucharist at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Come and find your place in the story by standing with Mary at the empty tomb, declaring Christ is risen again. Alleluia. Alleluia. 

 

Easter Egg hunts for children will be held at 10:15 a.m. No formation classes will be held. Nursery is available for 3 yrs. and under throughout the morning and children 4 yrs - 6th grade are invited to follow the cross after the Gospel reading into Wallace Hall for the children’s homily during the 8:30 service.