The celebrated Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade marches past the church this Sunday (two weeks late, due to Holy Week). We've heard that we have one task for worship planning: Keep it short. (It reminds us of our days in Wisconsin, when we had to keep an eye on the Green Bay Packer schedule, lest half the choir be forced to leave during the anthem.)
The theme for worship will be Celtic Christian Spirituality -- "Pilgrimages and Thin Places."
Legend has it that the big parade is the second largest one in the nation -- on this particular date, it's probably the ONLY one! We have noted the appearance of shamrocks on many of the parade route intersections.
Speaking of the Irish, we've heard something to the effect that the Notre Dame Fight Song was first performed in this church. Anybody know the whole story?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Roll Away the Stone!
Today is Maundy Thursday, which means that Christians everywhere are remembering the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples in an upper room. At United Congregational, we're providing a Soup and Bread meal by candlelight -- not in an upper room, but in the lowest level of the church -- the assembly hall. We will gather in the entry area outside the hall to begin the service, then enter in silence while the choir hums several lenten tunes. All are gathered around a common focus in the center table. The sacrament is imbedded in the meal, which we will serve. A tenebrae ritual will close the service.
Good Friday's community service will be held at Noon in the Skinner Chapel, where the readings of John 18 and 19 will be presented by various persons from the Christian Community. Choir members from two churches will join their voices. A delicious meatless lasagna meal will be served in the assembly hall following the service.
Our celebration of Christ's Resurrection begins at 10 a.m., Sunday (March 23rd), in the Main Sanctuary. Music and prayer, Gospel and preaching, Bagpipe, children, bells, and the expanded festival choir, including many singers from the High School Madrigal Group. Services of worship are always open to all visitors. Come, help us roll away the tomb!
We hope that those of you reading this blog will have a meaningful Holy Week experience!
Good Friday's community service will be held at Noon in the Skinner Chapel, where the readings of John 18 and 19 will be presented by various persons from the Christian Community. Choir members from two churches will join their voices. A delicious meatless lasagna meal will be served in the assembly hall following the service.
Our celebration of Christ's Resurrection begins at 10 a.m., Sunday (March 23rd), in the Main Sanctuary. Music and prayer, Gospel and preaching, Bagpipe, children, bells, and the expanded festival choir, including many singers from the High School Madrigal Group. Services of worship are always open to all visitors. Come, help us roll away the tomb!
We hope that those of you reading this blog will have a meaningful Holy Week experience!
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