Hi COTC Family,

The collect for today, the Wednesday of Holy Week, reads, “Assist us mercifully with your grace, Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts by which you have promised us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” 

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, culminating with the Feast of the Resurrection on Sunday, are at the core of the Gospel we proclaim and receive. As the collect puts it, may we enter into joyful mediation on all that God has done through Jesus Christ over these next days. May our love for Jesus and our understanding of all He has done for us deepen. 

I wanted to share a few notes regarding these next days of Holy Week in our life together. 

• Lenten Midday Eucharist today at 12:30. Join us for this time of stillness and prayer, especially appropriate for what is known as Spy Wednesday. We’ll be continuing Midday Eucharist through Eastertide at the same time, with some changes appropriate for that season of celebration. 

• Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 tomorrow night. We are delighted to partner with Christ Church for this service at our property (8140 Exchange Dr.). This service will include both a time for foot-washing (or prayer and worship) and Holy Communion as we commemorate the Last Supper. The service culminates with the “stripping of the altar” as the church solemnly enters into the depths of Christ’s suffering. Register for childcare here. 

• Good Friday service at 6:30 on Friday evening. This reflective service sets our focus upon Jesus’ final words from the cross. Three members of COTC will share reflections on how it is that Christ’s suffering has informed their own experiences of trial and difficulty. One note: this service is definitely heavier and more solemn. That is something of which parents will want to be mindful. The reflections this year do not feature any material I’d consider disturbing, but might prompt questions for younger kids. The Garden's Stations of the Cross from 3-6pm is a great way for littles to enter into the meaning of Good Friday. Again, if you’d like to sign up for childcare for the Good Friday service you can do so here. 

• Resurrection Sunday at 9am and 11am. Remember to wear white if you can, and to bring flowers for the cross (we'll have some available too) as we celebrate the joy of Christ’s resurrection! We’ll also have special snacks available afterward on the back patio following both services, plan to stick around for a bit. There will also be a few special decorative and noisy liturgical features added. Come ready to shout “Alleluia!” Who can you invite to share in this special celebration? 

As a final note I wanted to ask for your prayers for those serving in various ways. This is a full week for the staff team, and for so many volunteers, please pray for strength and stamina, as well as a lively and worshipful sense of the significance of these days even in the midst of all the tasks. I’m grateful to God for the staff's faithful and skillful service, and for the ways our community joyfully works together in the name of Jesus! 

In Christ, 

Peter+