My Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Tonight we begin the Holy Triduum with the Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m. There is no dismissal at the end of the Maundy Thursday service because it's to be experienced with the Good Friday Liturgy (Noon or 7:00 p.m.), and the Great Vigil of Easter, which starts outside on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. with the blessing of a new fire. We'll then process into a darkened church and see the Light of Christ split the Darkness.

I encourage everyone to experience the depth and fullness of the Holy Triduum, especially those who've never participated in the Great Vigil. There is - quite literally - nothing like it. A Champagne Reception will follow the Vigil.

We'll also celebrate with an Easter Morning Choral Service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt and a Reception.

In addition to the Holy Triduum leading to the celebration of Easter, we have for over a decade made a public witness of our faith by processing from the northwest corner of Federal Highway and Sample Road back to St. Nicholas with a roughly hewn 6' Cross, stopping periodically to pray the Stations of the Cross. We encourage the public to join us in this witness.

"Why?" some may ask. "What does all of this mean for us in these tumultuous and dangerously divisive times?"

In light of the Resurrection, we can face each new day secure in who we are as God's beloved. Jesus demonstrated that God's love for us is so deep and inexhaustible that nothing is beyond forgiveness. We're all Children of God.

We know, too, that Jesus - that Love - is the answer. He demonstrated that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As love incarnate, when Jesus was raised from the dead, it was love that defeated death. In other words, the love of God is the true path to abundant and eternal life.

The fact that our Redeemer lives and that the Word of God, as the Love of God, triumphs over sin, death, and the devil means that we are so empowered and embolden by that love that we can live the life of the Kingdom now and bring heaven nearer, transforming this tumultuous world of ours. In Christ, all things are made new.

In Christ, we can. By even small acts of kindness and compassion, we make a difference. Together, as the Body of Christ, we can change the world for the better. And we do this for Christ's sake, for the sake of Love.

All In Christ's Peace & Love,
Mark Andrew+

"Anxiety weights down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up" (Proverbs 12:25).