Thank you for a Glorious Holy Week and Easter

A Note from Fr. Michael Ryan

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My Dearest Ones,

Holy Week, like the historic events it enacts, is an overwhelming experience of God. We so often seek to be spoon-fed grace, and God responds during these holy days by capsizing our paltry wishes with a tidal wave of grace. God again defeats the powers of death and evil by succumbing to them, only to shatter them forever from within by raising Jesus from the dead.

During these eight days, we were privileged to participate in ten distinct liturgies—ranging from thirty minutes to two hours in duration. For every hour of worship, there are thirty hours of individual time expended for its sacred enactment. Consider the energy and careful thought you gave to the narrative of these eight days:

• The Preparation: The hours spent planning, rehearsing, and training; the hours devoted to acquiring, designing, and arranging flowers and palms; and the work to set up and rearrange your sacred spaces.

• The Hospitality: The time spent making welcoming spaces for infants and elders, seekers, and travelers—people who are welcomed and extended the loving hand of Christ by your actions.

• The Vigil: The time spent veiling, revealing, and unveiling every cross and crucifix, from the children’s processional cross to the great cross of the High Altar.

• The Mystery: The devotion given to preparing the sacred vessels and the basins for the washing of feet, and the patience of parents who make sure their children receive the training they need to participate in God’s Holy Mysteries.

Even though I know the work you devoted to participating in and serving these holy mysteries was done for your love of God and to the glory of God, I still feel a deep longing to thank you in ways that kindle God’s love for you—a love that reaches the deepest recesses of your souls, sufficiently powerful to cast out any doubt you have of your worthiness or the worthiness of your offerings to God.

As I write this, I realize that thanks are not mine to offer, but rather God's delight in you that I am called to convey. God knows, loves, and delights in the offering you make:

Thank you for hearing me.

Thank you for serving me.

Thank you for adoring me.

Thank you for fasting with me.

Thank you for tending to my body.

Thank you for stripping my altars.

Thank you for singing to me and playing for me.

Thank you for reading my words.

Thank you for appointing my holy spaces.

Thank you for making your children available to my service.

Thank you for welcoming my worshipers.

Thank you for washing my feet, and for allowing me to wash yours.

Thank you for serving my people the food of everlasting life.

Thank you for offering praise in the morning and again at dusk.

Thank you for preparing food and drink and for making a feast for my Resurrection.

Thank you for abiding with me and watching with me through the night hours.

Thank you for coming to me to celebrate my and your resurrection.

Thank you for being my tender hands to those whose weakness demands care.

Thank you for opening the doors in the small hours of the night so my people could spend an hour in silence with me.

Thank you for rendering my past into your present for the good future I am preparing for all who love me.

Thank you for loving me.

Thank you for hearing me.

Thank you for tending me.

Thank you for feasting me. 

A special note of thanks to our senior staff members

Michael Monnikendam, thank you for the time, energy and care you devote to our worship music week after week, and most especially during this most holy of weeks. Your aesthetic sense, beautiful voice, and flawless direction frame and enliven our holy liturgies in ways that language alone cannot. Thank you, Music Michael, for your loving service to our common worship and life!

Trish Tiura, thank you for helming the ever more sturdy and seaworthy vessel that powers and steers the energies and work of our ministry of administration and weekday welcome. Every year our work flows more smoothly, gets a bit easier and a lot better thanks to the gifts and energy you bring. You always empty the tank to get the work done right!

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A deep Bow of Gratitude to the

2026 Holy Week Ministers and Participants

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Altar Guild

Dana Pitts, Dianne Aber, Barb Davis, Nancy Heilstedt, Marilyn Robinson, Chris Berger

Foot Washers & Dryers

Jean Montague, Paula Copley, Chris Berger, Fr. Michael Ryan

Sound & Streaming

Rick Long, Evan Ortega, Leon Vogelzang

Passion Narrative

Doug Pascoe, John Merrill, Jerry Mickelson, Kevin Hansen, Connie Lightbody, Father Michael, Snow Zhou, James Hurd, Andrew Hurd, Valerie Merrill, Donna Murphy, Lupe Reyes, Rick Long

Altar Servers

Chris Berger, Connie Lightbody, Father Brian Lennstrom, Snow Zhou, Dianne Dunn

Night Watch

Doug & Mary Lou Sales, John Marchione, Rick Long, Mark Wilterding, Dennis Welch, Bill Gauthier, Chris Berger, Clayton Hughes, John & Valerie Merrill, Grace Vogelzang, Janinne Fredlund, Bruce Pitts, Tim & Erica Blue, Jon Vicklund

Music & Clergy

St. John’s Choir: Anna Aubry, Marylyn Pierce, Mark Comfort, Jenny, Neil Jordan, Suzanna, and Erica. Michael Monnikendam (Music Minister), Fr. Brian Lennstrom (Homilist)

Music Dedications

P. & B. Davis, J. & S. Kattenhorn, J. Fredlund, D. Murphy, D. & R. Perman, L. Reyes & C. Smith, M. Schroder, J. Sierakowska & C. Kurczewska, T. & E. Blue, B. & D. Pitts, M. Robinson, P. Copley, J. Kulina, A. Morrison, Rev. J. McEachran, M. & S. Wilterding, J. & E. Besaw, J. Bedard & J. Kenney, M.L. & D. Sales

Flower Ministry

Debbie Graham, Jane Martin, Janina Sierakowska, Christine Kurczewska, Dana Pitts, Jeanne Montague

Ushers

Joe Kattenhorn, Tony Martin, Bruce Pitts

Lectors & Intercessors

Snow Zhou, Patrick Davis, Marti Riley, Dana Pitts, Donna Murphy, Diane Perman, Jerry Mickelson, Becky Lennstrom, Paula Copley, John Merrill, Laura Neff, Valerie Merrill, Erica Blue, Tim Blue

Acolytes & Banners

James Hurd, Andrew Hurd, Lucas Carignan, Olivia Watts, Rick Long (Banner)

Chalice Bearers

Purity Nash, Rick Long, Patrick Davis, Karen Rongren, Mary Lou Sales

Good Friday Walk

Mary Lou Sales, Sue Baker, Chris Berger, Clayton & Anna Hughes

Office & Publicity

Donna Murphy, Paula Copley, Connie Lightbody, Marti Riley, and Geri Gray

Flower Dedications

D. Graham, M. Gill, J. Fredlund, D. & B. Pitts, D. Murphy, M. Robinson, D. & R. Perman, L. Reyes & C. Smith, B. & P. Davis, P. Copley, J. & E. Besaw, J. Sierakowska & C. Kurczewska

Sunday Brunch

Grace Vogelzang - with support from Mary Lou Sales, Susan Trabucchi, Erica Blue, Diane Perman, Paula Miller, Jill Domoney, Jon Vicklund, Maureen Schroder, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Nouna’s Sweets.