Holy Week and Easter at
Storrs Congregational Church UCC

The apex of the Christian year is soon upon us.  We invite all to join us for our observances of Holy Week and for our celebrations of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.  No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, God welcomes you… and so do we!

March 20 — Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

Sunday worship @ 10:00 a.m

Palm branches in hand, we join a procession of young and old singing sweet hosannas.  This procession, begun centuries ago in Jerusalem, encircles the earth with ceaseless praise and now winds around our gathering space.  The procession leads us to the cross of Christ and into the mystery of his passion.  The one we praise as Savior is the servant who suffers our betrayal, denial, cruelty, and fear.

Meditation by Pastor Matt:  “Jesus’ Death:  What about Suffering?”   Scripture:  Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 & Luke 23:33-47.

Wednesday, March 23 — Manna in the Wilderness Mid-week Communion

A contemplative time of worship and Holy Communion in the Waggoner Chapel:
Wednesdays in Lent, 5:45 – 6:15 pm.

Thursday, March 24 — Maundy Thursday

A ‘Simple Supper’ — 5:30 – 7:15 pm in the Auditorium

The Supper and the Shadows: Communion & Tenebrae — 7:30 pm in the Meeting House

Remembering Jesus’ gathering with his disciples on the night before he died, we gather around meal tables in the Auditorium and around the Communion Table in the Meeting House.  We offer ourselves in confession and in praise as we commemorate Jesus’ offering of himself to and for us.  As we enter into our annual observance of the ‘Great Three Days’ of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the shadows of the cross lengthen into night as our worship concludes with the service of tenebrae.

Friday, March 25 — Good Friday

Good Friday Prayer Vigil: 12:00 Noon to 3:00 pm

English speaking Christians call this day ‘Good’. It is a day, not of unmitigated mourning, as if Jesus were dead dead dead, but of profound contemplation of the mystery that, from the cross of death, God grants the world new life. Here at Storrs Congregational Church UCC, all are invited to keep vigil with us—coming and going as you may need or feel called—as we pray around the foot of the cross from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.  Worshippers will be aided with contemplative practices and prayer focus points as we gaze upon the life-giving cross on which hung the savior of the world.

March 27: Easter Sunday

Celebrate the glory of God’s victory over evil and death in the resurrection of Christ!

6:30 am — Sunrise Service at the Storrs Cemetery (~60 North Eagleville Rd., Storrs)
A simple service of scripture, song, and reflection at the top of the hill overlooking Storrs.

following Sunrise Service — Hot Easter Festival Breakfast in SCC Parish House Auditorium

9:00 am — Easter Egg Hunt for children, with coffee & light breakfast available for all in Parish House Lounge

10:00 am — Festival Worship Service in the SCC Meeting House (“the church”)
Pastor Matt preaching, music of choir and organ, and celebration of the resurrection feast at Christ’s table
“Jesus’ Resurrection:  What About Hope?”  Scripture: 1st Corinthians 15:19-26 & Matthew 28:1-10