by Bishop Bill Gohl
One of the ways I mitigated another anticipated round of such a bout this Holy Week was to schedule my week carefully – and fully – so that I would experience that rhythm, even if it were in a new way. It was a marvelous experience and I am so grateful for those who "took me in" and shared their pulpits and altars so that I might experience the fullness of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection in ways that disciplined me as a preacher and presider.
On Palm Sunday (and its Vigil on Saturday), I was the guest of Evangelical, Frederick and its clergy team: Pastor Doug Jones, Pastor Naomi Hartmann, Deacon Kim Hintzman and Deacon Mike O’Donnell. The largest congregation in our synod, Evangelical had four liturgies (actually five, but I couldn’t be at the dinner church that was simultaneously happening with the Saturday evening service) – each with its own flavor and ethos. From the informality of quieter and more restrained worship on Saturday to two high liturgies on Sunday and a contemporary service that rivals in quality any I've experienced throughout our church, I was swept up into the grand entrance into Jerusalem surrounded by fine music – handbells, organ, adult choir, children’s choir and contemporary praise team, well-choreographed liturgical movement, the participation of children throughout the services, a sense of expectation for the guests that came and, en route home, a feeling of holy satisfaction that we had rightly returned to Christ all glory, laud and honor.
Palm Sunday afternoon, I was the guest of the northern Delmarva Conference, as well as our synod’s Racial Justice Ministry Team, African Descent Strategy Team, ADLA and CLAIM for a Service of Healing and Racial Reconciliation Walk through Wilmington. We began with a marvelous liturgy of healing and anointing at St. Stephen’s, Wilmington. Pastor Jason Churchill preached a powerful and prophetic word to those of us who gathered and Pastor Kathy Ierien (Good Shepherd, Wilmington) was a gracious presider. We received prayers for healing and anointing with oil, even as we began our trek to eight stations at significant places in Wilmington, where we prayed, read scripture and engaged neighbors sharing palm branches as we made our pilgrimage. The presence of Christ was palpable – both among those who sojourned and those we encountered on the journey. Pastor Melissa Lemons (Zion, Wilmington) was the leader of the walk and also provided a marvelous reception on our return.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – the traditional days of Holy Week preparation and decoration – I did something new this year, that I was unable to have had ever done before! I went on a quick trip to the ocean with my family. So often in the past, I have missed their spring break because it landed squarely in Holy Week. This year, I finished my sermons early in the morning on the beach and spent the afternoon and evenings carrying on with my wife and children. I will simply say, though it felt a bit "naughty" to vacation in Holy Week, it was also a rich and unexpected blessing.
Maundy Thursday, I worshipped in the pews of Grace, Hamilton at the noon hour. Grace is one of the nearest neighbors to my home and I have known much of the membership since I moved to Baltimore in 1999. The worship had a deep solemnity and the stripping of the altar never ceases to move me. I then preached and presided that evening for the people of Our Saviour, Lansdowne. I served Our Saviour as Vice Pastor from 2003-2006, while I was Pastor of Peace, Glen Burnie – so this was a return "home" and a very nostalgic visit, to say the least. The fellowship was warm and we spent time not only in worship, but in conversation discerning the future of this congregation and ministry, which will become vacant again on April 30 as their current Vice Pastor moves into a new call.
Good Friday, I was back in Lansdowne for the Way of the Cross at the noon hour. We had a good crowd, including children, that bore the cross for the 14 traditional stations; we sang rich hymns and took turns reading the passion story as it unfolded in front of us. That evening, I was the guest of Pastor Ed Kay and the people of St. Paul's, Lutherville where I preached for their Tenebrae liturgy. Now, I must admit, I all but invited myself to St. Paul's – and Pastor Kay took me in. One of my favorite liturgies of the year in my former congregation, I sought out St. Paul's and their pastor, in part, because I knew they would offer it similarly to the way I had known it these last 10 years (Pastor Kay was, as some of you know, a colleague with me at Epiphany, Baltimore for his first years of ordained ministry). I was not disappointed. It was a very moving liturgy, replete with music from their hand-chimes, a violinist, a trumpeter (yes, on Good Friday – but it worked) and a combined choir with St. Paul's and Havenwood Presbyterian Church. It was a beautiful service and a deeply spiritual experience.
On Friday and Saturday, I did something I've done for many years: I phoned a number of friends and colleagues who have had loved ones die since the previous Easter, just simply to reconnect and share a bit of "resurrection talk."
Since college, I have participated in the Easter Vigil at St. Mark's in Baltimore. Resplendent with all the liturgical gifts one can imagine – incense, flowers, rich gold vestments, a semi-professional choir, a Tiffany-decorated church in the Byzantine style – there is something quite ethereal about the Great Vigil celebrated for the City of Baltimore at St. Mark's! The crowd was good, the liturgy had its usual "other worldly" qualities and it was a privilege to preach for that service – my second time, having preached once before in 2004. After a lavish "break-the-fast" party, I was off to Mar-Lu-Ridge to stay overnight, because...
At 6 a.m. Easter morning, I preached and presided for the Sunrise Service at Mar-Lu-Ridge, sponsored by the folks of St. Paul, Jefferson. I was amazed by the 120 people that appeared in the middle of the night, dressed for Easter morning service! A simple liturgy with the Praise Team of St. Paul, we kept vigil as the sun rose over our shoulders and illuminated Salem on the Mount chapel – and God's people – anew. We were hosted by Mar-Lu-Ridge for a great hot breakfast and many people stayed, though quite a number scurried off to their own churches for Easter morning festivities.
My last stop of Holy Week was back to St. Mark's, Baltimore – which, by the way, is the congregation I belong to. I was the presider and celebrant for their 11 a.m. Festival Liturgy with Pastor Thomas Davidson, one of their interim triumvirate, preaching. As if the Easter Vigil wasn’t "high" enough, the clergy, cantor and people managed to pull out a few more stops to make it feel as though we had, in fact, experienced Easter with all of our senses. As I celebrated the Lord's Supper, I believed I might have been assumed into Heaven on the clouds of billowing incense! After worship, a full Easter brunch was served and many of us lingered – even until the St. Mark's Estonian Congregation began their preparations for their monthly liturgy, this year on Easter at 2 p.m.
After all of that, my mom took pity on our church-going family and had us all in for dinner!
From the simple to the elaborate, from very formal to the most casual; my Holy Week was a deeply soul-stirring experience. I thought I would miss being "in my own" church, only to discover the privilege of being church with so many of you. What a privilege to be on the way together.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them... Luke 24:13-15