WAILUKU - Holy Week services at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church begin on Sunday with Palm Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
The Liturgy and Blessing of the Palms will be taking place in the church office courtyard and will be followed by a processional into the church with the sound of the trumpet. The story of Christ's passion will be read by members of the congregation. The Senior Choir will provide music.
Maundy Thursday will be observed on Thursday with a 7 p.m. service with music by the Senior Choir. This service celebrates the gift of the Holy Eucharist and the example of humble service given by Christ when he washed the feet of his disciples.
There will be two services on Good Friday, April 6, commemorating the death of Jesus Christ.
The churches of old Wailuku town will meet at Iao United Church of Christ, 2371 W. Vineyard St., at noon for the liturgy. In addition to Good Shepherd and Iao, members of Kaahumanu Congregational Church and Wailuku Union Church also will be joining the service.
It will be a service of reflecting on the significance of that day as told by six eyewitnesses: the owner of the upper room, a servant girl, Barabbas, Simon of Cyrene, a Roman soldier and Mary, the mother of Jesus. The service also will include prayers based on the seven last words of Jesus.
At 7 p.m., Good Shepherd will hold another Good Friday service, which will include the Veneration of the Cross and the Solemn Liturgy. Special music will be provided by the Senior Choir and communion will be offered from the Reserved Sacrament.
On April 7, the Great Vigil of Easter begins at 8 p.m. A large candle will be lit from a new fire, kindled in the darkened church. Early Christians used this bringing of light to a dark place to symbolize the resurrection. The first part of the service remembers the calling, testing, forming of the people of the Old Covenant, Israel. Those events become sacramental signs moving toward the covenant to come in the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
Easter Vigil is especially appropriate for adult baptism. This is the first Eucharist of Easter.
On Easter Sunday, April 8, the Festival Eucharist begins at 8:30 a.m. Special music will be presented by the Senior Choir, and the Good Shepherd Hand Bell Choir will ring. All children attending are invited to join in the Easter egg hunt on the church grounds at the conclusion of the morning service. Everyone is invited to a potluck Easter brunch in the Parish Hall after this service.
At 11 a.m., the church will celebrate Holy Baptism and Eucharist. Music will be led by Ferdinand Cajigal and the Praise and Worship Band.
Good Shepherd Church is located on the corner of Church and Main streets. The Rev. Marvin Lee Foltz is the rector.
For more information, call the church office weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 244-4656 or send email to pastor@goodshepherdmaui.org.
