Easter Vigil

Easter Vigil

The Great Vigil of Easter dates back to the very earliest days of Christianity. Traditionally it was an all night vigil beginning at sunset on Holy Saturday and continuing until sunrise on Easter morning. It begins with lighting the Paschal candle and the recitation of Psalm 118, then follows with 12 readings from the Old Testament, each one followed by a psalm or hymn and a prayer, all by candlelight. This service was traditionally the only time of the year that baptisms were performed, and those who had been preparing for church membership (a three year commitment!) were baptized that night and celebrated their first communion. This service was, and remains, the first celebration of Easter, keeping watch by candlelight until the women arrived Easter morning to find the empty tomb.

We will celebrate a (much) shortened version of this ancient service Saturday night beginning at 8:00pm (sunset is officially at 19:48 on Saturday). We will read a small subset of the Old Testament lections for the night, celebrate a service of baptismal remembrance, and share in holy communion. I hope you will consider joining us for this time of worship, as well as for our community worship services throughout the week, as we journey together through Holy Week 2016.

Holy Week Worship Schedule

Holy Week Worship

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday (20 March this year), and we have some wonderful worship lined up, including 3 services with other community churches.

Spring Break

Spring Break

Youth Group will not meet this week (due to Holy Week services) or next week (due to spring break). Our next event will be to get together at Morning Pointe on Wednesday evening, 6 March. However--any youth who are interested have been invited to join First Presbyterian, Greeneville on Sunday evening, 3 April, to ride up to Colonial Heights and join their youth program for the night. Please check with Brian for details if you're interested in attending,

Summer Mission Trip

Summer Mission Trip

We have the option of joining with First Presbyterian Church, Greeneville, on a mission trip to New Orleans this summer. The trip will leave on Saturday, 25 June, and return on Wednesday, 6 July. We will be staying at First Presbyterian Church, New Orleans, and the cost is anticipated to be around $150 inclusive of meals and travel. The trip is open to anyone who is a rising ninth greater or older this summer (which means we would welcome college students and adults as well!).

Stated Session Meeting

Session members are reminded that we will meet a week later than normal this time (*so that we don't have to meet on Easter Sunday.) Our next meeting will be on Sunday, 3 April at 7:00pm

March Collection Items

Instant Potatoes or Rice

Please remember the Greene County Food Bank and Samaritan's Purse collections for the month of March when you're doing your shopping. March collection items are:

Socks, Combs, and Hairbrushes

Coming up at Timber Ridge...

Session Minutes

Minutes from our recent congregational and stated Session meetings are available here.

Youth Triennium

The biggest Presbyterian Youth event in the country happens once every three years, and this is the summer. Registration is now open to any from rising ninth graders through graduated seniors. Details are available in the narthex, or here

Sr. High Retreat

The Holston Presbytery Sr. High retreat will be 8-10 April at Holston Camp. Registration is $50 ($45 if you bring a friend who doesn't go to Timber Ridge). You can register online and the church will be billed after the retreat.

Miss a Sunday?