Worship Services
Due to Governor Baker’s most recent orders in managing the Coronavirus public health emergency, there will be no public gatherings in either our church or parish hall through Monday, May 4, 2020. Please note the following changes.
Easter Triduum
All of our services for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday will take place online.
Please check back here for the links necessary to join us for these services. The links will be posted by noon on Thursday, April 9, 2020.
We use the Book of Common Prayer during the worship service. If you don’t have one, use this link for the free online version made available by Church Publishing Inc.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day which commemorates Jesus’ washing the feet of the disciples and the Last Supper of Jesus with the apostles.
“Maundy” comes form the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus’ words “I give you a new commandment” (to love one another as I have loved you).
Maundy Thursday is the beginning of the Easter Triduum, which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Christians observe Good Friday with fasting, special liturgies and prayer services such as the Stations of the Cross, and the Seven Last Words from the Cross.
Easter Sunday
Easter is the great annual feast of Christ’s resurrection, the pascha or Christian Passover, and the eighth day of cosmic creation. The word derives from the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Eostre.
Faith in Jesus’ resurrection on the third day following his crucifixion is at the heart of Christian belief.
All normally scheduled Wednesday activities are canceled during this period.
These include:
- Men’s Bible Study
- Lectio Divina
- Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers
- Centering Prayer
- Emmaus Study Group
The next Taize service is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2020. We will determine how we will gather, as we get closer to this date.
Manna Meals
Manna continues to serve meals on their usual schedule.
- Monday, 11:30 AM, St. John’s Church, 48 Elm St, Northampton
- Tuesday, 11:30 AM, St. John’s Church, 48 Elm St, Northampton
- Wednesday, 6:00 PM, Edwards Church, 297 Main St, Northampton
- Thursday, 11:30 AM, St. John’s Church, 48 Elm St, Northampton
- Saturday, 11:30 AM, Edwards Church, 297 Main St, Northampton
All meals will be served as takeout, in keeping with the Governor’s order.
We have extended our serving hours through 1:30 pm to allow our patrons to more easily maintain the recommended 6 feet physical distancing. You do not have to be in line at 11:30 am to assure you get free, hot, and nutritious meals from us. We will have food for you when you come – we promise.
Because we are now living in a changing environment, please also check Manna’s Facebook page for updates.
Manna’s free meals are available to anyone from any community. There are no age restrictions. In these times of school and employment disruptions, know that anyone facing food insecurity is welcome!
Resources for Praying at Home
There are many online resources available to us for prayer and study at home during this time. We invite you to review what we know to be available via Zoom, YouTube, Facebook, telephone conference calls, and various websites.
For more information on any of the above, please contact Ben Durfee in the church office by email or at the church’s main phone number 413-584-1757.
St John’s Weekly e-newsletter will next be published on Saturday, April 11, 2020
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