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Father Douglas Anderson's weekly KneeMail to parishioners and friends of Saint James Church, Texarkana
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Kneemail from Saint James Church

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April 17, AD 2019

FROM THE RECTOR:

Dear parishioners & friends of St James’,
These descriptions give but a hint of the power and majesty of what is offered at St James’ during Holy Week.  These liturgies are the divinely appointed means of not just contemplating upon those mighty acts by which we are saved, but the means by which we participate in them.  
Assist us, mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality … --BCP, p. 270
 
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 18th
 at 7:00pm
Nursery provided.  Fr Daly preaching.
 
The word “maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment” – “a new commandment I give unto you that you love one another.” The Mass is celebrated in white vestments. 
 
We hear the Gospel of one of the central actions of the Last Supper—in John’s Gospel the central action—of Jesus’ girding himself with a towel, taking on the role of the servant, and washing the disciples’ feet. As he put the new commandment into action, so we do the same. These rites in these days prove to be no mere commemorations, but means in fact of our very participation in these saving and defining events. 

As the Mass continues, the “tone” is lowered gradually. The Eucharistic Prayer commemorates the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, but obviously does so in the shadow of the looming passion and death of the Lord. After Communion, a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament moves slowly and quietly through the nave to the Christ the King Chapel. As the church has become our Jerusalem, our upper room on this night, so the chapel will become the garden of Gethsemane where the Blessed Sacrament reposes all night on an altar surrounded with candles and flowers. There the faithful may come throughout the night to “Watch one hour” with the Lord before his passion. The liturgy ends with the rather shocking stripping of the altars, and the church itself is readied for the events of the Lord’s passion and death the next day.


Good Friday
Friday, April 19th

Musical prelude at 11:50am
Stations of the Cross & Sermon at 12:05pm.  Fr Daly preaching.
Before Stations, Doris Davis will offer three brief piano pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach which evoke the emotion of Christ’s Passion. 
 
Solemn Liturgy at 7:00pm.  The Rector preaching.
Nursery provided at 7pm
 
Good Friday commemorates the passion and crucifixion of the Lord. In previous and more clearly Christian times and cultures, these commemorations would take place at midday, mirroring the historic events themselves. In our contemporary culture it is not easy to escape the workplace and for many there is no allowance for religious observances during the day. Thus at noon we shall have very simply the Stations of the Cross as, appropriately, we walk the Way of the Cross with the Lord at the hour of his passion and death. 

The principal liturgy then is conveniently in the evening, which does not tie in with the details of the story! Nonetheless we all should make every effort to seize the opportunity of the convenient hour and make it a priority to gather with the church as together we commemorate the mighty acts by which we are saved.   At the heart of the liturgy is the reading of the Passion according to St. John. 

Holy Communion is received in the form of the Bread only from the Sacrament reserved overnight at the altar of repose, and the rite ends in a stark silence and unceremonial departure. 
 
 
The Great Vigil of Easter 
Saturday, April 20th 
at 8:00pm
Nursery provided
 
The liturgy of the year is the Great Vigil of Easter on the Night of Holy Saturday. It could be said that all other liturgies find their seed in this one liturgy. It is the Christian Passover – the saving and defining event for the Christian community. And it is certainly the most spine-chillingly dramatic service of the year.

The Vigil begins in the silence and darkness of the tomb. A new fire is lit, from which is lit the Paschal Candle. As the darkness of the church is dispelled by this one true light, three times is sung “The Light of Christ”–to which we respond, “Thanks be to God.” The new light and life of the Resurrection has come. The magnificent Exsultet is then sung – a hymn of praise to the Christ candle, the symbol of God’s saving power. Here we hear words and tones that are among the most ancient in the life of the church. 

The climax of the story telling becomes the rite of Baptism when we shall all renew our own Baptismal covenant. In Baptism, we believe we participate in Jesus’ death and resurrection as an eternal reality available in our time and space; and never is this more powerful than on this night, when we in fact keep the Lord’s Passover and the Paschal Mystery once more enters our time and space. 
 
As if things could not get more exciting, there then follows that pregnant and silent pause, redolent of excitement and anticipation, as the altar candles are lit by the servers in preparation for the first Mass of Easter, which will suddenly burst forth in light and sound.  
 
The famous Resurrection Party follows in the Great Hall after the Vigil.  We break our Lenten fast in a BIG way.
 
 The Easter Vigil is the Principal Easter Mass at St James.’  For those who cannot attend the “Queen of Feasts,” Masses will be offered at 8am & 10am on Easter Day.


Rev. Douglas Anderson, Rector
THE SCHEDULE OF LAY MINISTERS FOR HOLY WEEK IS POSTED HERE.   PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF YOU OR A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY IS LISTED TO SERVE. 

PLEASE NOTIFY THE PARISH OFFICE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU CANNOT MAKE YOUR APPOINTED TIME.  IT WILL HELP KEEP THE RECTOR IN A HOLY AND CONTEMPLATIVE FRAME OF MIND.
Upcoming Dates of Note

See Worship Schedule for the remainder of Holy Week above.

Wednesday, April 17th: NO Mass, NO meal, NO class.  Adult choir practice at 5:30pm.

Monday, April 22nd: BRIGHT MONDAY, Parish Office closed.

Thursday, April 25th: SJDS BOARD MEETING at 5:30pm

Sunday, May 5th: MAY FESTIVAL OF OUR LADY

Friday, May 10th: CORNERSTONE MASS at 10:30am
HOLY WEEK & EASTER AT SAINT JAMES’ CHURCH

Thursday, April 18th       
Maundy Thursday
             
     Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7pm (nursery)
         Fr. Daly is preaching.
 
Friday, April 19th      
Good Friday 
                       
     Stations of the Cross at 12:10pm
          Fr Daly preaching.
 
At 11:50, before Stations, Doris Davis will offer three brief piano pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach which evoke the emotion of Christ’s Passion. 
  • Completed in 1722, Bach’s Fugue XVI in G minor from Book I, contains four voices, complicated by the frequent crossing of theme and countersubject.  With the inscription of “In Jesus’ Name,” it offers a mournful beauty.
  • The second movement of the Italian Concerto, the Andante, contains Bach’s markings of “molto espressivo,” requiring an expressive performance.  The repeated motif of two notes in the bass suggests a gravity of emotion as does the key signature of D minor, the relative minor of the joyous and celebratory first and third movements.
  • Siloti’s transcription of Bach’s Organ Prelude written in G minor captures the beauty and grandeur of the original.  Marked “Adagio, religioso,” the prelude moves from a quiet opening to a conclusion of great strength.

     Solemn Liturgy & Veneration of the Cross at 7pm
          (nursery)   The Rector preaching.
 
Saturday, April 20th       
Easter Even                         

     Great Vigil of Easter at 8pm (nursery)
          Resurrection Party to follow in the Great Hall.
 
Sunday, April 21st                
Easter Day 
                          
     Low Mass at 8:00am
     Procession & Sung Mass at 10am (nursery)
    
     Atlanta Mass at 11:00 AM.

Monday, April 22nd - Bright Monday
     The Parish Office will be closed.

 
RESURRECTION PARTY HELP

Your help is needed to make the Resurrection Party a success! 

Ham is being provided by the Church. 

If your last name begins with A – G – please bring an appetizer; H – M – salad, potato/pasta dish; N – S – veggie; and, T – Z – dessert. 

Please drop off dishes in the great hall on Saturday evening, April 20th on your way into Church. 

Have questions?  Please ask me! Tracy Jones. 903-277-6575. tracyjones@stjamesdayschool.org
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ITEMS OF PARTICULAR NOTE

EASTER FLOWER ENVELOPES are in the pews.  This special collection pays for the decoration of the church at Easter.  You can also give online by clicking here.
 
VIGIL MUSIC SPONSORSHIPS.  We are planning to have strings at the Easter Vigil.  If you would like to help underwrite the music at the “Queen of Feasts,” please use one of the Discretionary Fund envelopes in the pews, and clearly mark your intentions on the envelope.   You may give the gift of music in honor of someone living, or in memory of someone departed.  Names will be listed in the Vigil bulletin.   You can give online for the strings by clicking here.


Deadline for flowers and music is Thursday at 9am.


 
PARISH NOTICES

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:
Bill Griffin (14), Emily Cutrer (15), Cynthia Hollingsworth (16), Debra Wright (17).

CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES: 
Mike & Sharon Stevens (16), Bill & Rosalie Griffin (19).

 

REST ETERNAL
Rest Eternal grant unto them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.

Anniversaries of death falling this week:
Susan Williams, 2005; Royce Watson, 2018; Fern Dowd, 2015.
PARISH GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

THE FLOWER DONOR CHART is in the Narthex (porch) to sign-up to give flowers in memory or in thanksgiving of a loved one, or you may call or e-mail Martha Bean at 903-547-6911 – e-mail wpmvb@windstream.net .  The cost is still just $35 per donor, per Sunday.  What a great way to honor or remember those who are important in our lives!

THE ROSARY GROUP meets on Tuesdays at 10am to pray the “Bible on a String.” Come join us.  For more information, contact Lova at lova@cableone.net

THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING is an Order for Episcopal women founded in 1885.  We are a prayer and service group who meets once a month.  We regularly take part in worship, study, and aid our Clergy as asked.  If you are interested in more about us, please call or e-mail Lova Wile (903-832-2533  lova@cableone.net ), Tammy Cowdery (903-277-2148 cowdery@txkusa.org ), or Gail Crisp (903-838-0942 gjcrisp@cableone.net )
Copyright © 2019 Saint James' Church, All rights reserved.


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