Helpful Hints for Holy Week & Easter 2019
Notes for MAUNDY THURSDAY 6-8pm
Soup Dinner at 6pm. No need to bring anything, we already have volunteers signed up to take care of all the soups. We will meet in the Great Hall.
Tenebrae & Communion at 7pm. A lovely, simple, candlelit service, which will also take place in the Great Hall.
Notes for GOOD FRIDAY 1-3pm
LOCATION CHANGE. Originally advertised as happening in East Rock Park, but because of weather reports we will be meeting at First Presbyterian Church at 704 Whitney Ave in New Haven and adapting the service to be indoors.
Format. This interactive service combines the tradition of the "Stations of the Cross" with the "Seven Last Words of Christ." Youth from our Multi-Church Youth Group and Confirmation Class will lead us in hands-on activities & crafts that help us reflect on the spiritual themes from Christ's final words on the cross.
Notes for EASTER SUNRISE 5:45am
Location. The service is a multi-church partnership held next to the main building at Hindinger Farm, 835 Dunbar Hill Road in Hamden.
Format. The service formally begins at 5:45am, but gathering music will begin about 10 minutes before. The music is all accompanied by acoustic guitars and the service has a casual, rustic feel ending with the sunrise at 6am.
Notes for 10am EASTER Service
EARLY ARRIVERS Parking: As you are able, please take the farther spots first or even park on the street. Those who live close to the church are encouraged to walk from home. There is a Passover event at the Synagogue on Sunday morning, so we are not using their parking lot.EARLY ARRIVERS Seating: Please try claim the pews closer to the front and fill in the pews from the center aisle, making it easy for later arrivers to see more clearly which seats are open and sneak in via side aisles.
LATER ARRIVERS Parking: If the parking lot is full, there is plenty of parking on all of the side streets around the church. There's a chance the Synagogue's event may have finished and some spots may have opened up in their lot. If you're up for a walk, there's also extra parking at Spring Glen Elementary School a few blocks north on Whitney Ave. Those who live close to the church are encouraged to walk from home.
LATER ARRIVERS Seating: Double-check the first floor because it might not be as full as it looks. Don't be embarrassed to walk down the side aisles to the front rows, which often are open. And there should also be plenty of room in the balcony.
Worship: Be prepared for an intergenerational service with lots of noise and lots of movement, but that also has a few quieter moments and some very special music. Communion will be served by intinction (coming to the front of the church).
Childcare: There is no Sunday School on Easter, but there is a volunteer-staffed Toddler Room if your tots get a little antsy. As always, there is the Nursery with the audio of the service playing if your littlest ones need a break from worship.
Fellowship Hour: There will be regular Fellowship Hour complete with coffee, tea, and some finger food. We are also adopting a Redeemer tradition of serving Hot Cross Buns at Easter Fellowship Hour.
Easter Egg Hunt: Once all the eggs have been hidden, the CE volunteers will announce the Easter Egg Hunt in the Great Hall. There will be separate egg hunts for toddler-aged kids in the playground and elementary school aged kids on the church lawn.
