Celebrate Easter at Christ Church !

Lenten Study
Wednesdays 7 PM

On Wednesday evenings (beginning on February 24) Christ Church will share a Lenten program with St. Stephen’s Church in Port Washington. The topic this year is the Holy Eucharist—history, theology and practice. The Lenten programs are preceded by soup and salad at 7:00 PM.

As part of the inquiry into the origins the Holy Eucharist, the second session (March 3) will be a full Seder (the Jewish Passover meal). Please call the church office to reserve a place at the Seder.

The joint Christ Church/St. Stephen’s Church Lenten Program will focus this year on the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist had its origins in a Jewish celebratory meal—a family meal rather than a ‘synagogue’ meal. In the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) the institution of the Holy Eucharist took place at the beginning of the Passover; in John the meal took place the day before. The Holy Eucharist rapidly became the center of Christian worship. It also changed greatly as well. In our Lenten program we will work through the origins, history, theology, and liturgy of the Holy Eucharist. Part of our search will bring us to a celebration of the great Passover meal—the Seder. The Lenten program will be held on Wednesdays throughout Lent—February 24, March 3, 10, 17 and 24. The programs will alternate between St. Stephen’s (February 24, March 10 and 24) and Christ Church (March 3 and 17).

Lent

The 40 days of Lent provide an opportunity for prayer, reflection and learning as a preparation for Easter. In addition to (or in place of) the tradition of ‘giving something up for Lent’, I urge you to consider ‘adding something on’ as part of your Lenten activities.

Each morning, prayers are said in the church (The Morning Office from the Book of Common Prayer). On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays Morning Prayer is said at 7:00 AM and on Wednesdays Morning Prayer is said at 9:00 AM. On Wednesdays there is also a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 AM.

Maundy Thursday
April 1 at 7:30 PM

At 7:30 PM the Liturgy for Maundy Thursday, with the foot washing, will take place. Following the service the church will remain open for prayer and meditation (at the altar of repose in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd).

In addition, Morning Prayer will be said at 7:00 AM and the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 10:00 AM.

Good Friday

The church will be re-opened on Good Friday at 7:00 AM for Morning Prayer and will remain open until 3:00 PM. The Liturgy of Good Friday will begin at noon. The service ends around 1:00 PM, but the church will remain open until 3:00 PM. On the evening of Good Friday there will be a service of meditations on the Last Words of Christ at 7:30 PM. The church will be closed on Holy Saturday.

Easter Day
April 4, 2010
9 and 11 AM

On Easter Sunday there will be two services, a family-oriented Eucharist at 9:00 AM and a festival Eucharist at 11:00 AM. Each will celebrate the triumph of life over death, light over darkness and hope over despair.

At the 11:00 AM eucharist the music will include the Chapel and Adult Choirs and instrumentalists. The Adult Choir will sing the Haydn "Lord Nelson Mass" with orchestra. An Easter Egg Hunt will take place at the conclusion of each service.

Music

The choirs of Christ Church are working hard to make this season special. Click here to find out about all the special music planned for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter.