Palm Sunday | April 10 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
We begin Holy Week with the joyful celebration of Palm Sunday. Quickly, we turn our thoughts from Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his persecution and passion upon the cross. Each service begins outside, where the congregation processes into the church. During this service the Passion Gospel is read, bringing alive the story of redemptive suffering of Jesus Christ in the events surrounding his death.
8 a.m.: Begin your Holy Week journey with a reflective service of Holy Scripture, the reading of the Passion Gospel, and Holy Communion. While there is no music and the service is shorter, the welcome is warm. This service is held in English.
10 a.m.: This service is held in English and begins on Monument Circle. We will process with our palms into the church with a liturgy that includes a dramatic reading of the Passion Gospel, narrated by CCC member and local actor Milicent Wright.
1 p.m.: Members of our Latino community have been rehearsing for their annual representation of the Passion Gospel where the story of Christ’s journey to the cross is portrayed in a live reenactment. This service is in Spanish and begins on the portico steps of the church where congregants process inside with their palms.
Holy Tuesday Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows | April 12 at 12:05 p.m.
Diocesan clergy are invited to renew their ordination vows during our Chrism liturgy and enjoy a light lunch afterwards in the Parish Hall. This service, held in English, is open to the public and lay persons are invited to come support our diocesan clergy in this poignant, Holy Week renewal. Chrism oil, a sacramental mixture of olive oil and balsam, will be consecrated by Bishop Jennifer and provided to clergy members at this service. Clergy are invited to vest with red stoles.
Holy Wednesday Tenebrae | April 13 at 7 p.m.
The Book of Lamentations tells the story of the grief of Israel after the destruction of Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah is thought to be the author, and in Hebrew poetry he describes the pain and loss suffered by his people when they are separated from their city and forced into exile when Jerusalem was destroyed by Babylon in 586 BC.
François Couperin’s setting of this text is intended to be sung at the service of Tenebrae, observed on Wednesday of Holy Week in the Episcopal Church. Tenebrae, meaning darkness or shadow, is a service that represents the calamity of being separated from Jesus through his death. Couperin sets the first three lessons from this service, and while Jeremiah’s text focuses on Israel’s grief at their loss of a physical connection with God, Couperin’s music foreshadows the end of the story: the restoration of Jerusalem, the triumph of Jesus, and the fulfillment of God’s promise that not even death can separate us from the love of God.
On April 13 at 7 p.m., join sopranos Chloe Boelter, Shannon Beckemeyer, gambist Joanna Blendulf and organist Christopher Caruso-Lynch to experience Couperin’s exquisite music during your Holy Week journey towards the cross and resurrection.
Maundy Thursday | April 14 at 7 p.m.
The final days in Holy Week are part of the Triduum, or three holy days before Easter. The bilingual service will include the eucharist and the ceremony of washing feet, also referred to as “the Maundy.” Mark Jefferson, professor of preaching at Virginia Theological Seminary, will offer a homily, and CCC’s own Padre Poli will translate. Following this service, the altar is stripped and all decorative furnishings are removed from the church. A vigil is kept in the nave after the service and until 9 p.m.
Good Friday | April 15 at 12:05 p.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
It is on Good Friday that we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is also the day we walk the Stations of the Cross, a devotion to the Passion of Christ which recalls a series of events at the end of Jesus’ life from His condemnation to His burial.
12 p.m.: This solemn service is held in English, begins in the nave, and will flow directly outside for the Stations of the Cross.
1 p.m.: Walk the Way of the Cross with CCC’s walkable Stations of the Cross that begins in the nave, flows outside onto the lawn, and around Monument Circle. Participants will hold images that depict the 14 events leading to Jesus’ burial. Stations of the Cross will conclude in silence in the nave after we read aloud the last station and Jesus is left in the tomb.
7 p.m.: This service is in Spanish, and the service in its entirety is held in the nave.
Holy Saturday | April 16 at 9 a.m.
9 a.m.: This simple, contemplative prayer service in English allows participants to linger in the “moments in between.” Jesus has been laid to rest, and although we faithfully await the coming resurrection, there is nothing left for us to do but wait. Let’s wait together.
Egg Decorating at 10 a.m.: Families, youth, and adults will decorate Easter eggs for the children’s egg hunt on Easter Sunday. Youth and adults also have the opportunity to learn about the Ukrainian wax method of egg dying.
The Great Vigil of Easter | April 16 at 7 p.m.
On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, the Church invites her members to gather in vigil and prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which, by hearing his Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share in his victory over death. Join us for a jubilant celebration when we light the paschal candle for the first time of the year.
Our bilingual service begins at 7 p.m., in darkness. It is the first service of Easter and consists of four parts: The Service of Light (kindling of new fire, lighting the Paschal candle, the Exsultet); The Service of Lessons (readings from the Hebrew Scriptures interspersed with psalms, canticles, and prayers); Christian Initiation (Holy Baptism) or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows; and the Eucharist. Our choir sings glorious music throughout, and Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows will celebrate.
Easter Sunday | April 17
On this day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
8 a.m.: Be with us for a reflective service of Holy Scripture and Holy Communion. While there is no music and the service is shorter, the welcome is warm. This service is held in English.
10 a.m.: This service is held in English and is a joyous service filled with music and celebration. Our choir is preparing glorious music and Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows will preach.
11:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt: Children of all ages are invited to this Easter Egg Hunt on the lawn of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument.
1 p.m.: This service is very similar to the 10 a.m. in its structure and content, but it’s conducted in Spanish. The music provided by the Coro Latinoamericano and guitarists is joyful and lively. Even if you don’t speak Spanish very well, you will be welcomed warmly! Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows will preach in English with Spanish translation provided by CCC’s Padre Poli.
Parking and Childcare
CCC will validate parking for the Express Park Garage at 20 N. Pennsylvania St. Please bring your ticket to the church to have and ask an usher for a parking sticker.
Childcare will be provided for the evening services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Watch Online
The following worship services will be streamed online at www.cccindy.org/live, on Facebook Live, and on YouTube: Palm Sunday at 10 a.m., Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m., Good Friday at 12:05 p.m., the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday at 7 p.m., and Easter Sunday at 10 a.m.