Trinity Episcopal Cathedral The Easter Triduum The Great Three Days April 9-11, 2020 Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Diocese of Northern California 2620 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, California 95816 Cathedral Office: 916.446.2513 Emergency On-Call Phone (evenings, weekends & holidays): 916.214.0382 Website: www.trinitycathedral.org E-mail: [email protected] The Great Three Days Welcome to Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento, as we gather wherever we are for these three sacred days that are the Easter Triduum. For centuries, Christians have retraced these last steps of the life of Christ on Earth. And since we believe that these last three days cannot be separated one from the other, we observe them as one continuous liturgy. You will notice that from Maundy Thursday until the Great Vigil of Easter there are no blessings or dismissals, only pauses until we gather again. From the humble service, symbolized by washing our hands on Maundy Thursday, to our time spent in prayer and reflection on Good Friday, to piercing the darkness at the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday evening, these worship services stand as one. It is our hope and prayer that within each of these liturgical experiences you will be able to find the space to enter into, to be present, and to find yourself transformed by the Risen Christ. About the Easter Triduum The Paschal Triduum, often called the Easter Triduum or simply the Triduum, includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter: The Day of Resurrection. This includes the Great Easter Vigil, the high point of the Triduum. It is considered one continuous liturgy from Maundy Thursday to the first proclamation of Easter and the dismissal on Saturday night. The Triduum consists of three full days following the Hebrew custom of a new day beginning at sundown, hence it begins on a Thursday night and ends on a Saturday night. The next day is Easter Sunday. The word Triduum comes from the Latin word meaning “three days.” The Triduum consists of three full days which begin and end in the evening. The Triduum technically is not part of Lent, but signifies the end of Lent. The Triduum celebrates the heart of our faith, salvation, and redemption: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Triduum commemorates the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday; the passion, crucifixion, death of the Lord on Good Friday; his descent into Hell on Holy Saturday; and finally his glorious Resurrection on Easter. Because this is considered one continuous liturgy, this year Trinity Cathedral is presenting all of our Easter Triduum worship services in a single book so that you can follow along during these Great Three Days. —The Rev. James Richardson, Interim Dean Table of Contents Maundy Thursday (April 9, 2020 – 7:30 p.m.)………………………….Page 3 Good Friday (April 10, 2020 – 12:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.)……………….Page 13 Holy Saturday (April 11, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.)…………………………….Page 27 The Great Vigil of Easter (April 11, 2020 – 7:30 p.m.)………………..Page 32 1 About Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist, the Washing of Feet, and the Solemn Stripping of the Altar The washing of feet on Maundy Thursday is one of the most ancient and universal rites in the Christian Church. It is a reminder to us all of the humility necessary for us to minister to each other. The ceremony has its origin in the Gospel according to St. John. Unique among the Gospels, John has no account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper, including instead the account of the washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus with the admonition, “do this for one another.” Jesus was pointing to this act as a sign of our servant ministry to one another and the world. But tonight we recognize that we cannot be together to wash each other’s feet. This year, it feels appropriate that we wash hands, rather than feet, signifying the selfless service of doctors, nurses, first responders, technicians, scientists, caregivers and so many others during this pandemic. It is also the custom of the Church on Maundy Thursday to strip and wash the Altar at the conclusion of this service, and we will do so tonight. We invite you to join us by putting away a decoration in your home. If you have a home altar or prayer table, we invite you to remove the objects that are on it and to wash it. 2 MAUNDY THURSDAY April 9, 2020 7:30 p.m. The Rt. Rev. Megan Traquair, Bishop of the Diocese of Northern California The Rev. James Richardson, Interim Dean The Rev. Canon Kathy Hopner, Canon for Education and Spiritual Formation Organist: Canon David Link, Cathedral Music Director For this liturgy, you are encouraged to gather: • A pitcher of water. • A basin, washtub, bucket, or even a large pot. • A clean towel (small hand towels are fine). THE GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY Organ Voluntary: “Le Banquet Céleste” (The Celestial Banquet) Olivier Messiaen “Those who eat my flesh, and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.” John 6 The Penitential Order Clergy: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. People: His mercy endures for ever. Clergy: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 The Lenten Confession Clergy: Let us confess our sins to God. Silence may be kept. People: God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen. 3 Absolution Bishop: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. People: Amen. The Kyrie Clergy: Lord, have mercy. People: Christ, have mercy. Clergy: Lord, have mercy. The Collects Clergy: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Clergy: Let us pray. Clergy: Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. People: Amen. Clergy: Holy and gracious God, give us the strength to meet the health crisis looming around us. Enlighten researchers that they may discover the right vaccine against this disease. Guide the doctors, nurses and all medical technicians working with those who are infected to take correct actions for their care. Protect all medical staff and family or friends caring for those who are ill. Bring together the governments and governmental agencies around the world to work together to eradicate this health threat. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. People: Amen. THE WORD OF GOD The First Lesson Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. 4 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance. Clergy: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People: Thanks be to God. Psalm 116:1, 10-17 Dilexi, quoniam Clergy: 1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, * People: because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. 10 How shall I repay the Lord * for all the good things he has done for me? 11 I will lift up the cup of salvation * and call upon the Name of the Lord. 12 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord * in the presence of all his people. 13 Precious in the sight of the Lord * is the death of his servants.