Hello St. Paul’s, In our Lenten journey, we have arrived at the threshold of Holy Week, which begins officially with Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is a complicated day that attempts to commemorate not only the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem but also his arrest and death. There are several components to the liturgy: We begin … READ MORE…
Palm Sunday 2025, Penelope Bridges After the celebration [singing and dancing], after the procession and the palms, after Hosannas and hymns, we have zigzagged our way through Scripture, finally descending in the Gospel through kangaroo court and public humiliation to the deep darkness of death on a Cross. The crowd disperses, the noise quiets, the … READ MORE…
Hello St. Paul’s, It seems like just the other day that we were imposing ashes and launching into the season of Lent, but here we are already on the verge of Holy Week, the center and heart of our year. Palm Sunday is a complicated day that attempts to commemorate not only the entry of … READ MORE…
Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023Penelope Bridges The year was 1980, I think. The planned installation of American nuclear weapons on British soil generated a national uproar. CND – the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament – was riding the wave, and a protest march took place in London. I remember participating in that march, the biggest crowd … READ MORE…
Over the past months, there has been a surge at the border. Multiple processions filing in. Caravans, looking for peace, fleeing their homes from violence and challenges in Central America, seeking asylum as they file northward hoping for something better. And processions of military. Forces to hold the line, to “keep the peace.” Razor wire … READ MORE…
The collect for the second half of this service troubles me. It says in part, “Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection.” I don’t know how that strikes you, but I don’t like it much. It may be just me and my own history … READ MORE…
On Sunday, we processed around the neighborhood with enthusiasm, with the SuperSonic Samba dancers. The drums were so loud we set off car alarms! We also got a great story in the Union Tribune, with photos by the UT photographer. People posted videos and photos on Facebook and of course, we have our own gallery … READ MORE…
Preached immediately after the Palm Procession around the neighborhood Well, that was grand! Nothing like a good, loud parade to wake up the neighborhood on a Sunday morning! I imagine more than one neighbor heard the Supersonic Samba dancers and wondered, what on earth is that? And well they might. Our Palm Sunday celebration offers … READ MORE…