Press Release posted 4/14/14 (Editor’s note – they got me the release on time for these events, I was slow to post it, my apologies) – Celebrate Holy Week & Easter at Sierra Madre’s Village Church of the Ascension. As at any joyous holiday season, you can count on Church of the Ascension – Sierra Madre’s Village Church – to be the place where you can join with friends and neighbors to remember the events of Holy Week and rejoice at the miracle of Easter. All of the services point to the joy of the Paschal Mystery – the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Services during Holy Week 2014 include:
Palm (Passion) Sunday April 13 at both 8 AM and 10:15 AM
Both services include the Blessing of Palms. The 10:15 AM service will begin in the Memorial Garden with a procession into the Church.
Monday & Tuesday April 14 & 15 7:00 PM Mass
Tenebrae – Wednesday April 16 7:00 PM Readings from the Holy Scripture
Maundy Thursday April 17 7:00 AM Mass 7:00 PM Foot-washing and Mass. This service begins what is known as the Triduum – the Three Holy Days.
9:00 pm – 12:00 am Watch at the Altar of Repose
Good Friday April 18 7:00 – 11:00 am Watch at the Altar of Repose
12:00 PM Stations of the Cross
7:00 PM Liturgy
There are two distinct services on Good Friday. The first is the Stations of the Cross which begins in the Church and processes around the grounds. The second service is the Good Friday Liturgy & Veneration of the Cross before the Church “goes dark” until Easter Eve.
Easter Vigil & 1st Eucharist April 20 6:00 AM The pre-dawn Sunday morning Easter Vigil is both a spiritual and physical awakening as the sun rises over the outdoor service and the congregation shares the joy of the Resurrection. The service then moves into the sanctuary where we experience the music of Easter, the beautifully decorated church, the Easter sermon, and together celebrate the first Eucharist Mass of Easter. An old tradition at Ascension is for everyone to bring bells to ring as a sign of our joy.
Easter Service April 20 10:15 AM Church Traditional Easter message, Music, and Festival High Mass. The proclamation of Jesus’ Resurrection is again accompanied by the bells brought by the congregation.
Come for some part or all of this series of reflection. Holy Week and Easter services are great ways to meet new neighbors and check out a wonderful community church. For more information, please call the church office at (626) 355-1133 or visit: www.ascension-sierramadre.com.