Holy Week observances at St. Stephen’s in Ridgefield begin with Palm Sunday and culminate on Easter Sunday - eight days that are considered the most holy in the Christian calendar. “The week is marked by solemn services that prepare us for Easter and its beautiful music, flowers and joyful celebration,” said the Rev. Whitney Altopp, rector of St. Stephen’s. “This year we are paying particular attention to the inclusion of children.”
March 24 Palm Sunday—10:00 am. Gather in North Hall for the blessing of the palms and process to the church. Children enter the church first and lay their palms on the floor. Younger children go to Storytime to experience the Palm Sunday sacred story.
March 28 Maundy Thursday—7:30 p.m. Healing prayer and eucharist in observance of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. The word “Maundy” is from the Latin “mandatum,” which means “commandment.” The day is named after Jesus’ commandment to his disciples to love one another.
All Night Prayer Vigil, Thursday—9 p.m. to Friday, 6 a.m. People are invited to sign up for a one-hour slot, to commemorate “staying awake for one hour” as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Contact the church office for info: gfitzpatrick@ststephens-ridgefield.org.
March 29 Good Friday Liturgy—12 p.m. One-hour service recalling The Passion. The Good Friday offering will go to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem to support their work and its schools, hospitals, and centers for children with disabilities.
March 30 Easter Vigil—7:30 p.m. The first service of Easter, followed by a celebratory reception.
March 31 Easter Sunday—HE IS RISEN! Three services: 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. for children in fifth grade and under. Storytime at both services, also for children in fifth grade and under.