.png)
HOLY WEEK AT HOME
HOLY SATURDAY
Holy Saturday is a day of waiting that focuses on when Jesus’ body lay in the tomb and Jesus descended to the dead. Taking place during the sacred three days, the service continues from Good Friday, beginning and ending in silence. This simple service is a time of feasting on the Word, a time of longing for life in the midst of death, awaiting Jesus to rise to newness of life on the third day. The following liturgy is found on page 283 of The Book of Common Prayer.
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and
rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings assigned for this day.
Old Testament Job 14:1-14
Psalm 130, or 31:1-5
Epistle 1 Peter 4:1-8,
Gospel Matthew 27:57-66
After the Gospel the Anthem "In the midst of life" on page 492 is said.
In the midst of life we are in death; from whom can we seek help?
From you alone, O Lord, who by our sins are justly angered.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and merciful Savior, deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.
Lord, you know the secrets of our hearts; shut not your ears to our prayers, but spare us, O Lord.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and merciful Savior, deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.
O worthy and eternal Judge, do not let the pains of death turn us away from you at our last hour.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and merciful Savior, deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.
The service then concludes with the Lord's Prayer.
PRACTICE A FAST FROM TECHNOLOGY [adapted from an idea by Jerusalem Greer]
From sunrise to sunset on this day, practice a time of fasting from technology. Turn off all cell phones, tablets, game consoles, televisions, radios and computers. Rest in the silence and ponder the gift of life. For the followers of Jesus, Holy Saturday was more than just sad. It was a day of feeling anxious, lost, disconnected, frustrated, and helpless. Ponder: How different would your life be if the Story of God had stopped on Good Friday? What would life be like if grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness were not available to us?