Up-Coming:​​​​

​​

March 30th  Lenten Book Discussion in Chapel, after 10:30 am                 Service

​

April 6th    Lenten Book Discussion in Chapel, after 10:30 am          Service

​

April 6th  Altar Flower Fundraiser Forms due  to  office

April 11th    Stations of the Cross 7pm

April 13th –20th   Holy Week and Easter  

​

April 27th  Walk for Housing, Habitat for Humanity of Newburgh, 2pm, Starts at Mount Saint Mary College, 330 Powell Ave.

            More information is on the Community Bulletin Board.

​

May 17th  Spring Parish Clean-up Day

May 18th  Men’s Group Meeting after the 10:30 am service

​

Preparing for Holy Week and Easter at Saint James 2025

The services of Holy Week and Easter hold profound significance in the Christian faith. Participating in these sacred days goes beyond simply attending church—it's an invitation to draw closer to the heart of Christ and to our fellow believers in a meaningful and communal way. Here's why these observances matter, especially in relation to the concepts of Community, Connection, and Compassion:

​

1. Community: Strengthening the Body of Christ

As Christians, we are called to be a part of the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is a metaphor used in the Bible (1 Corinthians 12:27, Romans 12:5) that illustrates the Church as a living, interconnected body where every member has a unique and essential role to play. The services during Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and continuing through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil, provide us with an opportunity to gather together, worship, and renew our commitment to this collective journey.

Attending services during this time reminds us that we are not alone in our faith; we are part of a larger community that shares in the same hope and purpose. Our individual prayers and reflections become interwoven with the prayers and lives of others, fostering a deeper sense of belonging to the Body of Christ.

​

2. Connection: Deepening Our Relationship with Christ and Each Other

Holy Week and Easter are more than just a historical commemoration of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. They are also a living experience that connects us directly to the love of God and to one another. Through the rituals of these services—such as the washing of feet on Maundy Thursday, the veneration of the cross on Good Friday, and the joyous celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter—Christ invites us to connect with Him in ways that go beyond mere observance.

These acts of worship strengthen our bond with Jesus and with each other, as we share in His suffering, death, and victory over death. Just as Jesus calls us to love one another (John 13:34-35), the experience of community in Holy Week encourages us to be more present and compassionate toward our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially in times of difficulty or suffering.

​

3. Compassion: Reflecting Christ's Love for the World

The events of Holy Week invite us to reflect on the ultimate act of compassion—Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for the salvation of humanity. By actively participating in these services, we are reminded of God’s immense love for us and are called to extend that same love and compassion to others. Easter, in particular, celebrates the hope of new life, which motivates us to live out our faith with a heart of compassion.

In the Body of Christ, each member is called to be compassionate, offering support, encouragement, and care to one another. The community of faith becomes a living expression of God’s love, especially when we serve others selflessly. Holy Week and Easter prompt us to examine how we, as individuals and as a church, can embody Christ’s compassion in our daily lives—whether through acts of kindness, reaching out to those in need, or offering comfort to those who are hurting.

​

Why Participation Matters

By coming together and participating in these powerful services, we are not just honoring traditions—we are participating in the ongoing story of God’s redemptive love. We connect with Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection on a personal level, while also experiencing the depth of community that the Church provides. When we gather to worship, pray, and serve together, we are united as one body, with Christ as the head.

In summary, Holy Week and Easter are opportunities to live out Community, Connection, and Compassion. Through the services, we grow stronger as the Body of Christ, deepening our relationship with God and with each other, while responding to the call to love and serve the world with the same compassion that Jesus showed to us.

​

In Christ's Love, 

​

The Rev. M. Carl Lunden +

​

​