Holy Week 2019

The heart of the Christian mystery unfurls during Holy Week. Join us for any or all of our special services.

PALM SUNDAY AND BLESSING OF THE ATHLETES 
April 14th, identical services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Celebrate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week with Old South Church’s exuberant parade and the waving of palms. This year, Palm Sunday falls a day before the Boston Marathon. Hundreds of marathoners will join us for worship as we ask God to bless them, and pray that they may “run and not grow weary, walk and not faint” (in the words of the prophet Isaiah).

MAUNDY THURSDAY
April 18th at 6 p.m.
On Maundy Thursday we blur the line between ancient and contemporary—bringing to life the story of the night of the Last Supper with music, reading, sacrament, and singing. We will listen as if for the first time to the story of the disastrous night Jesus was betrayed and sentenced to death by the religious authorities.  This year, our service has been completely reimagined by John Edgerton, Mitchell Crawford and Willie Sordillo to be held beneath the soaring and imposing windows of the Old South Sanctuary.  Please note, there will be a single service, at 6:00pm.

GOOD FRIDAY
April 19th, services at  12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
12 p.m.: A brief, contemplative service with communion, hymns, and organ accompaniment.
6 p.m.: With improvisational Jazz and chants from the Taize style, we will experience anew the most somber story in the Christian faith.

EASTER SUNDAY
April 21st, identical services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The triumph of the Christian story of resurrection informs a service of worship that is characterized by thunderous celebration. Trumpet and organ, voice and timpani combine to bring us to the empty tomb, to peer inside, to see it is empty, and to give God wild thanksgiving for the hope of everlasting life.