Lent, Holy Week & Easter Resources
The events surrounding Jesus’ journey to the cross are so significant to us as his followers, that we devote an entire week to telling, hearing, seeing, re-enacting, experiencing, and LIVING those events along with Jesus. Each day from Palm Sunday, April 2 through Easter Sunday, April 9, there is something happening at St. James’ to enable you to enter into the drama of Jesus’s last hours and arrive at Easter Day changed by a deeper understanding of what God did – out of love for you and for the world – through His Son Jesus Christ.
Each year the clergy, musicians, and children’s ministry team, and altar guild collaborate to create fresh approaches to the church’s most powerful and moving worship services of the year. With attention to enriching the meaning of these liturgies while making them accessible for newcomers, they are kept within about 60 minutes for those with busy lives, and, made meaningful for children whenever possible.
Read over the description of these services and listen as the Holy Spirit leads you to participate on some or all of these days as a way to personally encounter your Lord.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Shrove Tuesday Feb, 21 5:30pm -6:30pm Parish Hall
St. James’ Skaneateles is bringing back Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 21 5:30-6:30PM! In order to have enough food for everyone, please RSVP to either regular or gluten free pancakes. Do include children as they eat too! There will be applesauce and sausage as sides.
Optional Donations will be taken at the door to offset cost of the food. Let’s get back together!
Lent Begins Wednesday, February 22
7am Ash Wednesday Worship in Nave
12-2pm ASHES to GO in the Parking Lot across the street at the Presbyterian Church
7pm Ash Wednesday Worship with music in Nave. In-person and live-streamed.
Ash Wednesday 7pm Worship Bulletin-CLICK HERE
Lenten Evening Prayer
Week nights during Lent. Lenten Evening Prayer begins February 23 at 5:30pm. Every week night to Palm Sunday on Zoom. CLICK HERE FOR ZOOM LINK
Meeting ID: 670 800 3013
Passcode: STJ96E
All are welcome to join these brief but deeply meaningful Lenten evening prayer services on Zoom. These weeknight worship opportunities are lay led and offer a wonderful way to center on God throughout a busy week. You are welcome to join one or all based on your schedule.
Monday Bulletin-CLICK HERE Thursday Bulletin-CLICK HERE
Tuesday Bulletin-CLICK HERE Friday Bulletin-CLICK HERE
Wednesday Bulletin-CLICK HERE
Easter Flowers 2023
Each year St. James’ Altar Guild creates a floral extravaganza in the Nave for Easter. Your donations supporting the flowers are very appreciated. If you would like to donate in memory or in thanksgiving of a loved one(s), please complete the Easter flower envelope in the pew pocket in the Nave and include your donation. Print clearly or type your submission if possible for clarity. If sending in a check, please make it out to St. James’ Church with a note in the memo line stating-Easter Flowers. You can drop your donation form or envelope in the offering basket at any service, drop off at the Parish Office or mail it to St. James’ at 96 E. Genesee Street Skaneateles, NY 13152. Your recognition will be included in the Easter Flower flyer on Easter Sunday. Be sure to return your donations by April 2, 2023. Any questions, please contact the Parish Office at 315-685-7600.
Lenten Devotionals for Adults and Children
Holy Week
Sunday, April 2 - Palm Sunday
7am – Traditional Eucharist with blessing of the Palms
9am – Traditional Eucharist, organ and choir, blessing of the Palms. In-person and live-streamed.
11am – Contemporary Eucharist, worship band, blessing of the Palms. In-person and live-streamed.
Monday, April 3
7am – Eucharist in the chancel, with lay reflection-by Rick Burton
Tuesday, April 4
7am – Eucharist in the chancel, with lay reflection-by Laura Posecznick
7pm – Stations of the Cross – In-person and live-streamed – A meditative service in which we pause to reflect on specific “moments” of Jesus’ journey to the cross as portrayed in Scripture and works of art. We trace steps he took, listen to the agony he felt, and hear the stories of those who witnessed these events along the way.
Wednesday, April 5 - Tenebrae
7am – Eucharist in the chancel, with lay reflection-by Meg Osborne
7pm – Tenebrae. In-person and live-streamed. – Light and shadows tell the story, as candles are extinguished, representing Jesus’ disciples abandoning him, one by one. The darkness of the world seems to overcome the Light of Christ. Yet the powers of darkness do not claim victory over the One True Light. This service of readings, prayers and song, that has been adapted for St. James’, invites us to contemplate Jesus’ experience as he anticipates the Cross.
Thursday, April 6 - Maundy Thursday
6pm – Fish Supper in the Parish Hall – click here to sign up!
7pm – Maundy Thursday liturgy beginning in the Parish Hall /moving to the Nave – On this evening, we relive Jesus’ last night with his disciples as he shared the bread and wine of the first Eucharist; washed their feet; prayed in the garden until he was arrested, stripped, and beaten. The congregation remembers these events, after which the bread and wine of Communion – Christ’s Body and Blood – are placed on the Peace Altar for an all-night prayer watch.
8pm – All Night Prayer Watch – click here to sign up for a time slot! – Through the night, in one-hour intervals – we take turns “watching” and praying – as Jesus’ disciples did in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Friday, April 7 - Good Friday
12pm – Ecumenical, outdoor Stations of the Cross, beginning at St. Mary’s Church, 81 Jordan Street – Beginning at St. Mary’s of the Lake, we walk through the village following a large wooden cross, pausing at various places where our youth lead us in prayer and reflection.
7pm – Good Friday liturgy with veneration of the cross. In-person and live-streamed. – This unique service, spare in words, rich in images and action, lush in music, invites us to contemplate the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, following which we share in Christ’s Body broken for the world.
Saturday, April 8 - Holy Saturday
2-4pm – Story, Song & Seek Saturday! St. James’ Children’s Ministry is offering a fun family event for kids. Children will listen to stories, dance & move to songs, and partake in an Easter Egg Hunt! RSVP is requested to ensure enough eggs.
Sunday, April 9 - Easter Sunday
All are welcome to attend any of the Easter Services at St. James’. The church will be decorated with tremendous flowers and plants celebrating the joyous resurrection. Bells are encouraged to be played as we sing Alleluia!
7am – Traditional Eucharist, hymns and anthem
9am – Festival Eucharist, choir, instrumentalists . In-person and live-streamed.
11am – Contemporary Eucharist, worship band. In-person and live-streamed.