Holy Week
Island churches celebrate important events in Jesus' ministry next week
Star-Bulletin staff
Christians will be reminded of their core beliefs in services next week. Dramatic re-enactments of biblical accounts about the end of Jesus' ministry and his crucifixion are traditions that draw even nonobservant believers to church.
Many island churches draw together for combined services during Holy Week and its finale, the celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter.
One Holy Week tradition will continue tomorrow with the annual Palm Sunday Parade in Kalihi-Palama with participants from area churches and community organizations.
Another traditional observance, the annual ecumenical Good Friday service at Central Union Church, was canceled by the Makiki church. The procession with a cross from Thomas Square, which preceded the service, will not be held. A church spokesman cited manpower shortage and the early arrival of Easter as reasons.
But a new "Walk with the Cross" experience will be offered in East Honolulu by Waiokeola Congregational Church. The procession will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Kaimuki District Park and proceed along Waialae Avenue to the church at 4705 Kilauea Ave. A 7 p.m. Tenebrae service will follow. Participants may join along the route for portions of the 1-mile walk.
A group of Filipino organizations will sponsor a "pabasa" starting at 9 a.m. Friday and continuing throughout the day at Hawaii Plantation Villages, 95-095 Waipahu St., Waipahu. The centuries-old tradition from the Philippines has people taking turns reading an account of Jesus' suffering and death in rhyming stanzas in different dialects. Leo Gozar, 230-0088, is coordinator.
The longest-standing seasonal tradition, Easter Sunrise Service at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl, will go on as usual. Easter sunrise services are planned at other locations, including Kakaako Waterfront Park, Maunalua Bay and Magic Island. They will be listed next Saturday.
Palm Sunday
People carry palm branches in processions that commemorate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem shortly before he died.
» The Palama parade will set off at 8 a.m. tomorrow from Aala Park and follow Aala Street, Vineyard Boulevard, Liliha Street and North King Street to Kaumakapili Church, 766 N. King St. A short outdoor service at the Banyan Mall will be followed by refreshments. Participating are Kaumakapili, St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Cosmopolitan Community Church, Chinese Lutheran Church as well as the Royal Hawaiian Band, Weed and Seed Program volunteers, Mayor Wright Youth Group, Fathers Against Drugs and Tamashiro Market.
» Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St. Children will re-enact Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem in a procession, complete with donkey, at the 9 a.m. service.
» Waiokeola Congregational Church, 4705 Kilauea Ave. Music by the Honolulu Brass and a children's Parade of Palms will precede the 9 a.m. worship service.
» Nuuanu Congregational Church, 2651 Pali Highway. The 9 a.m. service will spotlight the Easter cantata "No Wonder We Call Him Our Savior," composed by Dave Clark and Russell Mauldin.
» Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, Fort Street Mall. Catholic Bishop Larry Silva will preside at the 10 a.m. Mass. All Catholic parishes will hold Masses celebrating the Passion of Christ.
» St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square. The Liturgy of the Palms will be observed in services at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. in the church and at 9:45 a.m. at Queen Emma Square, followed by 10 a.m. Eucharist with music by the Cathedral Choir.
» Christ Church Uniting, 1300 Kailua Road. Franz Schubert's "Mass in G" will be sung at the 10 a.m. service. Wayne Wilson will direct the Chancel Choir. A reception will follow.
» St. Timothy's Church, 98-939 Moanalua Road, Aiea. An evening "Instructional Seder" will explore the Jewish roots of Christianity. Members of several Episcopal churches will share a potluck dinner after the ritual meal modeled on Passover.
Holy or Maundy Thursday
Many churches re-enact the Gospel account of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper.
» Harris United Methodist Church, 20 S. Vineyard Blvd. A light supper at 5:30 p.m. will be followed by a service of hand and foot washing.
» First United Methodist Church, 1020 S. Beretania St., 7 p.m. service combining English and Tongan congregations.
» Waiokeola Congregational Church. The evening program includes a 5:30 p.m. foot-washing ceremony, 6 p.m. supper and 7 p.m. Holy Communion service.
» First Christian Church of Honolulu, 1516 Kewalo St. A 7 p.m. worship service will be held.
» St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square. After the 7:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist, a vigil will be kept behind the high altar until noon on Good Friday.
» Windward United Church of Christ, 38 Kaneohe Bay Drive. A soup supper at 6 p.m. will be followed by the service in the sanctuary. Cost is $4 per person, $12 for families of three or more. Call 261-5787.
Good Friday
Somber services commemorate Christ's death on the cross, which is also called the Passion of Jesus.
» St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square, will present an interactive workshop on "What's So Good About Good Friday" from 9 a.m. to noon. Designed for children and youth, the free program is open to adults. Services will include commemoration of the Lord's Passion from noon to 3 p.m. and the 5:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross.
» Kawaiaha'o Church, 957 Punchbowl St. The 11 a.m. service will feature Requiem Mass liturgical music by composers Gabriel Faure, John Rutter, John Starr Alexander and Maurice Durufle. It will be presented by the Kawaiaha'o Church Choir, Central Union Chancel Choir, Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus and Kawaiolaonapukanileo Vocal Ensemble.
» Salvation Army, Kauluwela Mission Corps, 296 N. Vineyard Blvd. People may participate in the ritual "Nail Your Prayers at the Cross" from noon to 3 p.m. The service begins at 3 p.m.
» The Windward Coalition of Churches will gather for a combined service at 7 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 1004 Kailua Road. Members of several churches will participate in reflections. For information call 261-5787.
» Calvary Chapel of Honolulu, 98-1016 Komo Mai Drive, Aiea. A Communion service will be held at 7 p.m.
» Living the Word Ministries, 2678 Kilihau St. "It's a Family Affair" is the theme of a three-part Easter observance beginning at 7 p.m. today as "A Family in Mourning." It continues at noon next Saturday at Keehi Lagoon Park as "A Family Gathering" and with an 11 a.m. Easter Sunday celebration, "A Family Reunion."
» First United Methodist Church. The 7 p.m. service will reflect on the seven last words of Christ.
» Harris United Methodist Church. A noon service and a 7 p.m. Tenabrae service will reflect on the passion of Jesus.
Holy Saturday
In ancient Christian tradition, an evening liturgy begins the celebration of Easter.
» St. Andrew's Cathedral. Renewal of baptismal vows and the lighting of the paschal candle are part of the 7:30 p.m. service for the Great Vigil of Easter. Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick will preside. Other Episcopal churches will hold individual vigil services.
» Our Lady of Peace Cathedral. Bishop Larry Silva will preside at the 8 p.m. Easter Vigil service, which includes ritual lighting of a new fire. Adults who have completed a one-year preparation will be baptized at the cathedral and at vigil services in other Catholic parishes.