Tonight is the last night of our scheduled Agape meals, click the link below to join. Our Vigil continues today with the story of the crossing of the Red Sea.
On our website you will find all of the materials necessary for walking through Holy Week and Easter this year. Look for an email each day this week with the day's opportunities.
In preparation for the Agape Dinner, consider watching the video below. (17 min), Richard, Stephan, Betsy, Daniel leading prayers and music, the story of Crossing the Red Sea is read by Alan McLellan. Or watch it at anytime.
Prayers, readings, and music to accompany your Wednesday night at home Agape meals. Music by Stephan Griffin, Betsy Swanson, and Daniel Mahoney. Reading from Exodus by Alan McLellan
Richard reads the story of the Exodus from Archbishop Desmond Tutu's Children of God Storybook Bible
Holy Week Vigils and Agape Meal
Wednesday, 6:00 pm
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, families and individuals are encouraged to join with each other to pray and share in fellowship. All Saints will host an Agape Meal zoom meeting starting at 6:00 pm each night. Please sign up for those here. You are also welcome to use the materials we will provide on the website in your own home or with others over the social network of your choice. On the website you will find: a pdf of the evening's liturgy, a video of the liturgy with prayers, readings and music; and other resources. These meals and readings will expand the Easter Vigil so that it encompass the whole week. On Monday we heard the story of creation, on Tuesday the story of the binding of Isaac, tonight we'll hear the story of the Exodus. Livestreamed services for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil start at 7:00 pm.
For use any time, but especially on Good Friday. Stations of the Cross (34 minutes) read by members of the parish, with music provided by Stephan Griffin and Betsy Swanson.
For serious pastoral emergencies, call the "Pastoral Emergency" line at the church (617-738-1810) and one of us will be in touch as soon as possible.
PRIVATE FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP
We have started a private Facebook group for All Saints parishioners to share support and encouragement during the COVID-19 emergency. This is not a public group, so you can share things that you might not want to share on the public page. Because it is a private group, you'll need to request to join.
AGAPE MEALS
(from the Diocesan website)
An Agape Meal or “Love Feast,” is a Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with disciples during his ministry and expressing the community enjoyed by the family of Christ.
Although its origins in the early church are closely interconnected with the origins of Holy Communion, the two should not be confused with each other. Holy Communion has been practically universal among Christians throughout church history, whereas the Love Feast has appeared only at certain times and among a few branches of the Christian family tree.
The modern history of the Agape Meal began in Germany with the Moravians (with whom the Episcopal Church is in full communion) in the early 1700s. John Wesley, founder of Methodism and an Anglican priest, experienced the Love Feast among the Moravians during his time in Georgia, and it quickly became part of early American Methodism.
The Love Feast has often been held when celebrations of Holy Communion are not appropriate, or in our case in these days, impossible. The Episcopal Church includes the rite Agape for Maundy Thursday in the Book of Occasional Services. A great advantage of the rite is that any Christian may conduct it, and children are easily incorporated as participants.
The components may include:
• Song—a Zoom gathering might include somebody who can sing a hymn/song or play an instrument; if so, great.
• Testimony—this is an opportunity to check-in with one another, and to express praise to God, as well as regard for one another and the wider community.
• Scripture—a reading from Scripture, with or without reflection, is an essential part of the Love Feast.
• Prayer—familiar prayers, such as the Lord’s Prayer or Be Present at our Table Lord are a common feature. Prayer requests and prayers from the people are encouraged.
• Food—In our settings, via Zoom and in our homes, we’ll use whatever we have on hand to express our Christian fellowship and friendship.
• Song—a Zoom gathering might include somebody who can sing a hymn/song or play an instrument; if so, great.
Tonight is the last night of our scheduled Agape meals, click the link below to join. Our Vigil continues today with the story of the crossing of the Red Sea.
