REGION – Below is a list of Easter Week church services held throughout the local area. This list will be updated periodically.
Brownsville Community Church, 66 Brownsville-Hartland Rd., Brownsville, Vt.
On Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m., there will be a Maundy Thursday Service. On Good Friday, April 18, the church will be open 1:30-2:30 p.m., for silent prayer and a visual arts self-guided prayer walk around the sanctuary. The Good Friday Service will follow the prayer walk, at 2:30 p.m. The Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, on April 20, will start at 7 a.m., at Ascutney Outdoors, where the morning view will provide a dramatic backdrop. Enjoy the community Easter breakfast, at 8 a.m., in Fellowship Hall at the church. Then, join your neighbors upstairs at the Easter Sunday service, at 9:30 a.m., in the sanctuary, which will be adorned with beautiful spring flowers. The Maundy Thursday service, Good Friday concert and service, and Easter Sunday service will also be available via FaceBook Live at www.facebook.com/brownsvillecommunitychurch.
First Baptist Church of Bellows Falls, 9 Church St., Bellows Falls, Vt.
Maundy Thursday White Supper and Communion, Thursday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. Sunrise Service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls, Easter morning, April 20, at 6:15 a.m. Breakfast to follow at the church. Traditional Easter service will be held Easter morning, at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
First Congregational Church of Westminster, 3470 US Route 5, Westminster, Vt.
Holy Thursday soup meal at 5 p.m., service at 6 p.m. Good Friday service at 6 p.m. Easter Sunday, sunrise service at 6 a.m., at Mayo Building at Kurn Hattin Homes; and 10 a.m., at the church. A special guest visitor will hand out gifts at the end of the service. The Rev. Richard O’Donnell serves as the pastor. All are very welcome.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 313 Main St., Chester, Vt.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, at 313 Main Street, Chester, Vt., is offering a variety of services during Holy Week – providing one service every day of that sacred week leading up to Easter Sunday. Services are: Monday, April 14, 8:30 a.m., Morning Prayer; Tuesday, April 15, 8:30 a.m., Morning Prayer; Wednesday, April 16, 5:30-6 p.m., Holy Eucharist; Maundy Thursday, April 17, 5:30-6:15 p.m., Holy Eucharist with optional foot washing to commemorate the Last Supper. At the end of the service, the church is darkened, except for the altar candles by the reserved sacrament in the chapel. Those wishing to keep vigil sign up for a shift from 6 p.m. until midnight; Good Friday, April 18, 5:30-6:15 p.m., Good Friday Liturgy. Please note that on Good Friday, the church will also be open from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., for quiet meditation or to pray the Stations of the Cross. A printed copy of the stations is on the table next to the entrance; April 19, Holy Saturday, 5:30-6 p.m., lighting of the new fire and blessing of the Paschal Candle; Easter Sunday, April 20, 10-11:15 a.m., Easter Eucharist and Holy Baptism. The service will be followed by a coffee hour celebration of Easter and the baptisms. All are invited to come downstairs to Willard Hall after the service to share in Easter greetings. For further information, please visit the church website at www.st.lukesepiscopalvt.org.