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Press ReleaseThe House of Hope Presbyterian Church
WORSHIP SERVICES AND SPECIAL MUSIC St. Paul, MN . . . March 6, 2002 . . . The House of Hope Presbyterian Church begins Holy Week with a supper in the Seder tradition on Tuesday, March 26, at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Hall. Spoken words and ritual provide an opportunity for participants to experience the history and tradition of the Passover meal. The cost is $6.00 per person, with a $20.00 per household maximum. Children are welcome. Reservations must be made by Sunday, March 24, by calling 651-223-7547. On Maundy Thursday, March 28, there is a 12:00 noon worship service in the Elizabeth Chapel, with communion. That evening, dinner is served at 6:00 p.m. in the Great hall, followed by a 7:30 p.m. Tenebrae worship service with communion in the sanctuary. The Office of Tenebrae is adapted from an early fourth century ceremony in solemn observance of the Lord's Supper. The expression "Office of Tenebrae" is also from the Latin, and means the enactment or drama of shadows and darkness. Dinner reservations may be made by calling the church office at 651-227-6311 by noon on Monday, March 25. The cost is $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for children eleven and under, with an $18.00 per household maximum. Childcare is provided for the worship service. Good Friday worship services include a 12:00 noon service in the Elizabeth Chapel and 7:30 p.m.Vespers in the sanctuary featuring special music for soloists, choir, orchestra and organ. This year's music is Dieterich Buxtehude's cycle of seven cantatas for Good Friday, Membra Jesu Nostri. The seven brief cantatas, totaling about an hour's duration, are a passion-meditation, contemplating seven parts of Christ's body on the cross. Most of the mystical text, sung by various soloists and the choir, is taken from a popular medieval poem, Salve mundi salutare. The orchestra consists of strings, which expand to a quintet of viols in the sixth cantata. On Holy Saturday, March 30, there is a brunch at 9:00 a.m. in the Kirk Parlour. The event is designed to honor the quiet place between death and resurrection, and a discussion will be facilitated by associate pastor Darlene Stensby. The cost is $8.00 per person. Reservations are required and must be made by March 27 by calling the church office at 651-227-6311. The Great Vigil of Easter begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Chapel and will continue through the night. The Vigil begins with the Service of Light, at which the Paschal candle, extinguished at the end of the Tenebrae service on Maundy Thursday, is re-lighted. The gathered community then moves into the Service of Readings, nine lessons and prayer leading to a time of silent reflection. The Easter sunrise worship service follows the Great Vigil of Easter and begins at 7:30 a.m. on Easter morning in the Elizabeth Chapel. A continental breakfast will be served in the Kirk Parlour following the service. Those planning to attend the Easter Vigil and/or the Easter sunrise service should plan to enter the church by the middle portico door on the Portland Avenue side of the church building. Easter worship services in the sanctuary are at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. with choirs, organ and brass. The Rev. Linda C. Loving will preach at both services. Childcare is available for children age 3 and under at both the 9:00 and 11:00 worship services. Children age 4 through grade 3 will attend the first portion of the 9:00 service and then will be excused for a special program. This program is offered at the 9:00 service only. The public is invited to all worship services and special events. The House of Hope Presbyterian Church is located at 797 Summit Avenue at Avon Street in St. Paul. Parking is available in the lot immediately north of the church on Portland Avenue, or in a lot on the south side of Summit Avenue across from the church. The Elizabeth Chapel, the Great Hall, the Kirk Parlour, and the sanctuary are accessible from the entrances on the north side of the church on Portland Avenue, as well as the Summit Avenue entrances to the church.
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