Guide for Prayer, Service & Worship March 28 – April 4, 2021

Holy Week Activities How to Center Ourselves in the Moment

March 28th: 10:00 am: Palm Sunday online via YouTube Livestream *Use Palms for Pickup at home; submit a photo or video for the livestream*

March 29: Compline at 7pm – Facebook Live facebook.com/EpiphanyEpiscopalOakHill/live/

March 30 – 31: Tuesday and Wednesday *Days of Personal Prayer & Service* ❖ Personal Prayers & Prayer Walks ❖ Acts of Service ❖

April 1st: Thursday ❖ Virtual Agape Meal at Home, 6:00 pm via Zoom ❖ Holy & Stripping of the , 7:00 pm via YouTube

April 2nd: ❖ All Day Solemn available online via YouTube starting at 7am ❖ at 7pm Live Stream on YouTube

April 3rd: Northern Fairfax Region joint worship via Zoom

April 4th: Sunday 10:00 am: Holy Eucharist Easter Celebration Online – HE IS RISEN!!

Personal Prayers & Prayer Walks “When you pray, go into a room and close the door. Pray to your Father in private…he will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

Lord may I be wakeful at sunrise to begin a new day for you; Cheerful at sunset for having done my work for you; Thankful at moonrise and under starshine for the beauty of your universe; And may I add what little may be in me to add to your great world. Amen -From The Abbot of Greve, A Celtic Liturgy Individual Prayer Walk Before you begin, take a moment to center yourself and invite the Holy Spirit of God to accompany you, guiding your steps, your thoughts, and your words. Opening Prayer May I walk this day in the realm of grace, walking with you my feet firmly on your earth-path, my heart loving all as kindred, my words and deeds alive with justice. May I walk as blessing, meeting blessing at every turn in every challenge, blessing, in all opposition, blessing, in harm’s way, blessing. May I walk each step in this moment of grace, alert to hear you and awake enough to say a simple Yes. -Robert Corin Morris Taken from caminodesantiago.me Maintaining social distance, begin to walk around your neighborhood stopping along the way. The following prayers are for use as you encounter the following places. Pray for other places not listed as you are so moved. With distance, at a neighbor’s home O God of compassion, you commanded us to love our neighbors, both near and far. I commend my neighbor (insert name, if known) to your care this day. Grant me concern for all those I encounter, that I may create here a community of justice, care, and peace where your will may be done; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. With distance, prayer at a store or shop Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give to us all a pride 1 in what we do, and a just return for our labor. Strengthen those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - , p. 259 With distance, prayer at a school O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities especially all teachers and students that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -Book of Common Prayer, for Schools With distance, prayer at a fire station, hospital, or police station O Creator of all, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy. Protect all emergency responders who take risks bringing people to safety in dangerous situations; for the love of the one who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. With distance, prayer at the home of a known sick person or at a healthcare facility Almighty God, giver of life and health: Send your blessing on all who are sick, and upon those who minister to them, that all weakness may be vanquished by the triumph of the risen Christ; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. With distance, prayer for those who are homeless or at a homeless shelter God of compassion, your love for humanity was revealed in Jesus, whose earthly life began in the poverty of a stable and ended in the pain and isolation of the cross: we hold before you those who are homeless and cold especially in this bitter weather. Draw near and comfort them in spirit and bless those who work to provide them with shelter, food and friendship. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. -From the Concluding Prayer May the God of hope fill me with every joy in believing. May the peace of Christ abound in my heart. May I be enriched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. 2

Other Prayer Resources Pray as you Go: https://pray-as-you-go.org or mobile app Pray As You Go provides an online daily prayer session, designed to go with you wherever you go, to help you pray whenever you find time. A new prayer session is produced every day of the working week and one session for the weekend. Lasting between ten and thirteen minutes, it combines music, scripture and some questions for reflection. Its aim is to help you to become more aware of God’s presence in your life, listen to and reflect on God’s word, and grow in your relationship with God. A Prayer During the Coronavirus: God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; Bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; Restore wellness in body, mind and spirit for you are God, and we need you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen -Adapted from the New Zealand Prayer Book A Prayer from the National Cathedral To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; O my God, in you I trust. You are the God of my salvation; To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. In you I hope all the day long. O my God, in you I trust. Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Amen. Prayer in Time of Isolation Almighty God: Our times are in your hand. We call upon you in this hour of our need, when we are lonely and must stand apart. Be our strength, O Sovereign Lord, our calm in the midst of raging seas, our refuge and our dwelling place. Sanctify to us this time drawn away from others, even as your Son, O Father, drew away to a lonely place for prayer. Deepen our need of you, O Lord, that every breath may be a whisper of the Spirit’s prompting, a renewed searching of the deep things of God. Stir up in us the great act of intercession, that we may spend our time apart in prayer for the world you created and sustain. Bless us in our turning toward you, and make us a blessing to those who stand in need of you, the whole fragile earth. All this we ask in the name of great Physician, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Acts of Service to Consider “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” – John 13:34

Let each day in Holy Week be an intentional day of listening to God’s wisdom and saving grace through acts of service.

The pandemic has made many people feel remote and isolated. Reach out to a distant friend or relative via phone or email.

Any day or time but especially during Holy Week, donate non-perishables to help those in need **Food Collection Bin at Door #2 for the Food Pantry** The Food Pantry gratefully accepts cash donations to purchase eggs, fresh produce and occasionally meat from Restaurant Depot weekly. Empty egg cartons are needed to repackage the eggs for distribution. They also need donations of non-perishable foods right now: Spaghetti sauce, Rice-Roni and Pasta-Roni, Basic condiments and salad dressings, Healthy snacks (cereal and granola bars, crackers); Cereal basic varieties, Canned and individual cups of Fruit, and Cooking oil.

Volunteer on Tuesday 11am to 1pm at the Food Pantry Help to pack food for distribution (no heavy lifting). Come to Community of Faith UMC, 13224 Franklin Farm Rd to help. For more info, email Cathy Spaine at [email protected].

A prayer for serving those in need: Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body and spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. – Book of Common Prayer, pg 826

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Stations of the Cross “…take up the cross and follow me….” – Matthew 10:38 Journeying with Jesus to the cross is intense. Walking the way with Jesus takes us deeper into his pain and suffering, but that breaks forth the resurrection glory of new life found at the empty tomb. Choose a Way of the Cross journey that is best for your household. Find these resources at https://www.epiphanyec.org/stations. ❖ Stations of the Cross by - A traditional journey as taken from The Book of Common Prayer and The Book of Occasional Services. ❖ A reflective full fourteen station journey by Frank Logue - http://georgiaepiscopal.org/stationsofthecross/ The Way of the Cross Explained Stations are places where people stop to wait while they are going from one place to another. A train station, and a bus station are those places. This Holy Week we remember the stops Jesus made, his journey to the cross, his death and his triumphant rising from the tomb through various stations called, The Way of the Cross. The Way of the Cross is an ancient custom observed by the pilgrims to Jerusalem. The journey invites participants to offer up prayer and meditations, who walk the “Via Dolorosa,” (the way of sorrow) the way believed to be Jesus’ journey to the cross. They stop along at a series of places in that city traditionally associated with significant moments of our Lord’s passion and death beginning with his trial and concluding at the site of the crucifixion, Golgotha. During the Middle Ages, it became impossible for pilgrims to make the journey. Today, with the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic, we too find the actual journey challenging. Therefore, the “way” became a spiritual way of the cross which we now practice in our social distancing today. Traditionally the Way of the Cross offers 14 stations, usually with a series of plain wooden crosses placed along the way. Today, we have consolidated 14 stations into 5 interactive stations to be traveled in solitude, individually, as a group, with family and friends, for children, youth, and adults throughout your home. In preparation for The Way of the Cross, plan to gather the following: a cross, a piece of rope, a paper and pens, a worry box, a , and a candle. Prepare to read, respond, pray, ponder, practice and pray each station. May you find this Way of the Cross a time of devotion to God as you prepare for the glory of Easter.

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THE FIRST STOP ALONG THE WAY - NOT FAIR AND INJUSTICE

The reads: We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king… Crucify him! So Pilate…he handed him over to be crucified… and carrying his own cross he went out to the Place of the Skull or, as it is called in Hebrew, Golgotha… Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured. While we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.

All are invited to say: Lord, You were misunderstood, You deserved no punishment; You were punished in our place. You embraced and shouldered the cross; You bore its burdens. Jesus, you said, “Yes,” to the Father’s will; Only your body hesitated. Lord, have mercy.

Ponder and Practice: How does it feel to be judged wrongly by others; to not be included because of a difference? When have you fallen from the burden you carry? Imagine being restrained against your will. Taking a piece of rope, tie and untie some tight knots. Reader: God did not spare his own Son: All: But delivered him up for us all. Prayer Almighty God, your beloved Son willingly endured the injustice and unfairness of trial. Innocent, he carried in shame the cross of his crucifixion, carrying us through evil and temptation. Emptying himself into the form of a servant, obediently falling to his knees, he is highly exalted through You. Now, we bow down before you, Lord God, and give thanks and praise, for the freedom brought to us in his burden. May we stand firm for what is just and fair and know the protection of your loving embrace. Amen.

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THE SECOND STOP ALONG THE WAY - HELPING AND EMPATHY

The reader reads: Shouldering the cross, Jesus looks up; and there, ahead is his mother. There is no way to explain, to offer her comfort. He must do the will of the Father. Simon of Cyrene is summoned to carry the cross. At first it is simply an unwelcome task forced upon him by Roman soldiers. Not until later did Simon come to realize he was helping his Lord and Savior. Moved with compassion, a woman called Veronica reaches out to place a cool, damp cloth on the face of Jesus. He leans his head into her hands. The Lord touches our lives, our hearts, our outstretched hands.

All are invited to say: Lord, help us to know, when we leave to follow you, That no one leaves behind those we love, But is more rewarded in the end. Through your servant Simon, you teach us that, in love, we bear one another’s burdens. Through your servant Veronica, you teach us to reach out to others, To be your witness, to gaze into your lovely face, Gaze into your eyes, return your smile. Lord, may we trust in you.

Ponder and Practice: The light is always brighter than the darkness. Be the light of Jesus for others. How will you pay it forward? Do a kind act, a good deed, expecting nothing in return. How are you showing mercy? How does your helping bring hope to others? Reader: Live in love as Christ loved you and gave himself up on your behalf… All: an offering and sacrifice whose fragrance is pleasing to God. Prayer Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others. May wisdom be our guide, patience our strength and courage our boldness as we minister to the suffering, the friendless and the needy, for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

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THE THIRD STOP ALONG THE WAY - FEARS, WORRIES & BURDENS

The reader reads: The cross is so heavy; the pain and exhaustion beyond description. Beneath the terrible weight of the cross, again he stumbles. Along the Calvary Road a group of women join the suffering Jesus in his walk. They wail and weep. Jesus tells them, daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. The cross is too heavy. Jesus stumbles and falls again. How many times must Jesus fall and pick up the cross? For ever; until the never-ending road is ended; until the impossible is completed; the unbearable borne through all eternity.

All are invited to say: Lord of great strength and courage, Often we fall, and the temptation is to not rise again. Lord, some of us are never far from tears, And some of us have learned not to cry. In you, Lord, is overwhelming love. Again and again, you pick up the weight of the cross, The weight of our worries and sins. Your love has no limits. Your love has no limits.

Ponder and Practice: Through the weight of our worries, we bear the cross of Jesus. Jesus asks, can anxious thought add a single day to your life? …your heavenly Father knows [what you need]. Set your mind on God’s kingdom and his justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well. Name your worries by writing them on a piece of paper and placing them in a worry box. Jesus takes them to the cross. So do not be anxious about tomorrow… Reader: Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me… All: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Prayer Lord of great wonder and might, you carry our affliction and bitterness. In Christ, you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us a means of life. Grant us, that in releasing our burdens to the power of your saving grace, with great thanksgiving we may not cower, nor dwell in darkness, but glorify the name of your son, Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen. 8

THE FOURTH STOP ALONG THE WAY - EMBARASSMENT AND SHAME

The reader reads: …he went out to the Place of the Skull or, as it is called in Hebrew, Golgotha…they crucified him with two others, one on either side, Jesus being in the middle Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.”…they took his clothing and divided it into four shares, one for each soldier… they jeered at him with the words, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ A jar full of sour wine stood there; so putting a sponge soaked in wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth… When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

All are invited to say: Lord, you were stripped of the garments you wore, Left, hanging to overcome suffering and shame. May we never hide behind what is untrue or false. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, you are our peace. In you, Lord, the nakedness of God was exposed to the world. Jesus, our sin put the nails in your hands. Jesus, our sin put the nails in your feet. It was love that held you there. Today we shall be with you in paradise.

Ponder and Practice: Jesus, stripped of his garments, left naked before God and all the world, reveals to us only truth and love. What veil must you remove to draw closer to God? Jesus searches us out and knows us, he is acquainted with all our ways, he knows our heart. What shields us from Jesus? Reader: Christ for us became obedient unto death… All: Even death upon the cross. Prayer: O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

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THE FIFTH STOP ALONG THE WAY – HOPE AND TRUST

The reader reads: Jesus,…crying out in a loud voice, yielded up his spirit…Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb…then he rolled a large stone across the entrance…very early in the morning on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. They found that the stone had been rolled away…Mary of Magdala said…weeping, “they have taken the Lord out of the tomb…” An angel said, He is not here, for he has risen…They were still talking about this when he himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you!” Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were dumbfounded…he showed himself, and he said, do not be unbelieving anymore but believe. My Lord and My God.

All are invited to say: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. In his death is my birth. He died that I might live. Let all creation give thanks to the Risen Lord.

Ponder and Practice When we experience hurt, trust is compromised and hope is distant. Surrendering to God in the glory of the risen Christ releases all our pain and suffering. Through Christ, we live life restored and renewed. Jesus’ dies on the cross for us to be free. No prison can hold him; no tomb is able to thwart the miracle. We give thanks for the hope we have in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark but will have the light of life.” Light a candle as a sign of the power of Jesus’ life giving light in your life, blocking out all darkness. Reader: He is risen All: The Lord is risen indeed. Prayer O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ you Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and for ever. Amen. 10

Maundy Thursday - April 1st Agape Meal Fellowship via Zoom Followed by Worship In the very early Church, faithful Christians gathered for a love meal known as an agape meal as a sign of Christ’s sacrificial love, given for us. Jesus and his disciples were often known to share in a common meal before celebrating the Eucharist. At certain times in history the agape meal and the sacramental Eucharistic meal were also found hand in hand. St. Augustine describes the agape meal as a “charity” meal from which the word agape finds its roots. The twentieth century found the agape meal as a source for reconciliation and gathering of separated groups. Today, we gather for this meal as a reminder that God calls us together as the people of God to share in this simple meal as a sign of Jesus’ great love, the desire to love purely for the sake of the other. When preparing an agape meal, provide simple foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, lamb or chicken. Historically, Epiphany has enjoyed Mediterranean meals consisting of chicken souvlaki, spanakopita, avgolemono soup and shish kabobs. ❖ Don’t cook? Then plan for pickup of a simple meal from a restaurant of your choice. Two local options of Mediterranean food are: o Lebanese Kitchen – 13031 Lee Jackson Hwy – 703-378-5001 o Sorrento Grill – 2443-G2 Centreville Rd. – 703-793-8030 ❖ Set your table, prepare your meal. ❖ Connect to other Epiphany parishioners via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81923310293?pwd=bEVaRjFLMWdYQVlwV2g1eDB6RFdtdz09 Meeting ID: 819 2331 0293 Passcode: 706114 ❖ Enjoy your feast together as a church family. Then, remember to place a large bowl with a pitcher and towels on the floor near your screen. During the livestream worship at 7pm, we will invite you to wash one another’s feet while at home. Let us pray: Blessed are you, O Lord our God. You have blessed the earth to bring forth food to satisfy our hunger. Let this food strengthen us to practice the selfless love you call us to share, that in the hospitality of this meal, we are made one in you, and come to the joy of the resurrection of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

Please join our Worship Online at 7pm via Zoom following your Agape Meal. Bulletin can be found at www.epiphanyec.org/holyweek.

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Good Friday - April 2nd

What’s good about Good Friday? Good Friday is the day of solemn prayer and reading of scripture as we remember the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ. It is called “good” not just because our salvation was the result of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. “Good” actually derives from the word “holy”. Good Friday was made Holy long ago when Jesus breathed his last upon the cross glorifying God and us. Good Friday is the day Jesus brings joy to the whole world.

Solemn Collects Available online via YouTube starting at 7am

Good Friday Worship Live 7:00 pm The Reading of the Passion and Solemn Collects and the carrying of the cross and sacred music

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Holy Saturday Prayers & Vigil

All are invited to share in the joint North Fairfax Region church worship offerings for this sacred day.

Watch the weekly ENews for more details about the online worship options that will be available.

There is also a guide in the Easter Take-Home packets if you wish to worship at home for The Great Vigil of Easter.

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Please join us for EASTER Worship online via YouTube Sunday April 4th at 10am

God Loves You. No Exceptions. Epiphany Episcopal Church is building a Christ- centered community, growing in God's grace, welcoming all in love and providing for God's world. JOIN US!

Epiphany Episcopal Church is building a Christ-centered community, growing in God’s grace, welcoming all in love, and providing for God’s world.

3301 Hidden Meadow Drive, Oak Hill, VA 20171 www.EpiphanyEC.org | (703) 466-5200