36 NEW CANAAN RD
WILTON, CT 06897
HOLY WEEK & EASTER
During Holy Week the church dramatizes the events leading up to and including the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, leading to the most holy day for Christians––the Celebration of Easter. Journey with us as we walk with Jesus through music and prayer to mark this Holy Week, leading us to the celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Join us at St. Matthew's for worship on each of these days during this holiest time of the Christian year.
PALM SUNDAY
March 29 at 10:00 a.m.
Blessing of Palms
The Reading of The Passion
Our worship begins with the Blessing of the Palms (and their distribution) as we commemorate Jesus's joyous triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. However, our worship shifts in tone as we move from waving our palms to the reading of the Gospel. We hear the reading of The Passion of Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew, read in parts my members of the congregation.
This service includes the Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music and choir. Church School is held at 10:00 a.m. and childcare is available for those 4 years and younger. Refreshment and fellowship follow the service.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
April 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Choir
Washing of Feet
The name Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin Mandatum or "commandment," from the words attributed to Jesus: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another" (John 13:34) as Jesus washed his disciples' feet. We will also remember his Last Supper as we celebrate the Eucharist on this evening, followed by the Stripping of the Altar.
GOOD FRIDAY
April 4 at 12:00 Noon
The Liturgy of Good Friday
This service commemorates the crucifixion of our Lord. It is known as "Good" because of the new life brought about by Christ's victory of the cross. It involves solemn collects (prayers) and piano.
April 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Stations of the Cross
with piano and cantor
Also known as The Way of the Cross, this solemn service imitates the practice of visiting the places of Jesus' Passion in the Holy Land by early Christian pilgrims. In the Episcopal tradition there are fourteen stations; at each there is a versicle and response, a reading, a prayer, and a collect. St. Matthew's has a series of sixteen small acrylic stations by Wilton abstract expressionist artist Robert Natkin, located along the back wall of the sanctuary.
HOLY SATURDAY
April 3 at 9:00 a.m.
This is a simply service of prayer and readings as we wait in vigil.
EASTER SUNDAY
April 4 at 10:00 a.m.
Festive Holy Eucharist, Rite II
with Choir and Instrumentalists
Easter is the day and season (50 days!) for endless rejoicing; it is the principal feast of the church year. Today we celebrate the Risen Christ; this is our day o joy and our season of endless victory. Don't forget to bring flowers for our Easter cross! Alleluia!
We welcome back the St. Matthew’s Quartet, joined by special guest oboist Olav van Hezewijk. The ensemble will accompany the choir and congregation in the hymns and service music. The musical offerings will include movements from Mozart’s Coronation Mass, as well as oboe concerto movements by Bach, Handel, and Albinoni.
Childcare for those 4 years and under is available. Following worship, there will be refreshments, fellowship, and an Easter Egg Hunt.
