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April
3, 2006
Dear Members and Friends of
Holy Apostles:
The days are rapidly
approaching when we enter into that sacred time when
chronos becomes kairos—when Holy Week is once
again at hand. In our world of death and destruction
and such uncertainty, we are invited into a different
kind of journey, a journey in which we can be changed
and transformed if only we will open ourselves to the
drama that will be unfolding.
This coming Sunday, Palm
Sunday, has a liturgy in two distinct parts. First we
join the throngs welcoming Jesus in his Triumphal Entry
into Jerusalem. We sing with great gusto, “All glory
laud and honor, to thee Redeemer King!” and we mean it.
And yet: very swiftly the clouds become dark, and
we are at the Eucharist of the Passion. Again we are a
part of the assembled throng. But this time, it is
“Crucify him, crucify him.” And we observe the Holy
Apostles, our patrons and our namesake, deserting Jesus
and fleeing. If we are honest, we can picture ourselves
among them.
Palm Sunday reminds us of the
terrible split within us, that good and evil are both
daily possibilities for all humankind, including us.
And yet: in the midst of such frightening ambiguity,
we are offered, nonetheless, the sacrament of Christ’s
body and blood, the bread of heaven and the cup of
salvation.
The other liturgies of Holy
Week take us through the momentous events of our Lord’s
final week. By Good Friday the despair is real, the
sense of death all around overwhelming.
And yet:
The darkness of Good Friday does in fact yield to the
New Fire, the light of Christ at the Easter Vigil. We
rediscover the waters of rebirth in Holy Baptism. By
Easter Sunday morning, we know in the deepest core of
our being that Christ is risen, that our redeemer lives,
that nothing can separate us and our world from the love
of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Not even death
itself. And we can celebrate with unalloyed joy, as our
church resounds in the glorious sounds of brass, organ,
timpani, and voices triumphant.
We are blessed at Holy
Apostles in being able to observe Holy Week in its
fullness. I hope and pray that you will look carefully
at the Holy Week and Easter service schedule. Note at
least the major services in your personal calendars and
plan on being present for them.
Each year we ask our members
and friends to make a Holy Week/Easter offering to help
underwrite the very large cost of these services.
Please either bring your gifts and put them in the
special envelopes in Palm Sunday bulletins. Or, if you
are unable to attend, mail them to the church office.
Please note on them, Holy Week/Easter offering.
May God bless us and be with
us all as we enter this holy time.
Faithfully yours,
The Rev. William A. Greenlaw
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