Holy Week Opportunities, 2019

From Rev. John: “Holy Week isn’t like Christmas. The way we generally practice it, Christmas is relatively straightforward and easy; after all, who isn’t happy to go to a child’s birthday party? But Holy Week—the week between Palm Sunday and Easter--with its themes of celebration and confrontation, love and suffering, life and death… Well, let’s be honest: That’s a bumpier ride and not nearly as pleasant, though ultimately it may communicate more of what we believe about real humanity and real divinity in the Way of Jesus. This Holy Week, I hope you’ll step outside your comfort zone a bit and not move so smoothly from Palm Sunday to Easter without stopping and maybe even stumbling a bit along the way. That’s the way Jesus’ own footsteps lead us."

Palm & Passion Sunday, 4/14
Worship @ 10am, with Children’s Palm Procession in the Sanctuary

On Palm/Passion Sunday, we remember Jesus' powerful--and planned--sign of entering Jerusalem on a donkey, surrounded by crowds waving palm branches, while the occupying governor, Pontius Pilate, entered the same city, the same day with pomp and circumstance, surrounded by soldiers bristling with spears. Children (and parents) are invited to gather at 9:50am in the Chapel to prepare to participate in the palm procession. But even before the echoes of "Hosanna!" can die away, we move from Palms to Passion, the story of this Holy Week, of Jesus total commitment to love. 

Maundy Thursday, 4/18
Soup Supper @ 6pm in the Fellowship Hall
Service of Communion & Shadows @ 7pm in the Sanctuary

Maundy Thursday is when we remember Jesus' last supper with his disciples before his execution where he gave them a "new commandment" (mandatum novum, the source of our word "Maundy"), that they love one another. In this worship service beginning at 7pm, we'll hear and see the story of that last night, as well as share holy communion. This multi-sensory service is emotional and still good for families with young children.

Good Friday, 4/19
“Seven Last Words of Christ” Worship Service @ 7pm at First Baptist Church, 858 Great Plain Ave

Good Friday is an oxymoron. The cross is not good. But God is. This is a time to reflect on just how far God is willing to go to love us into justice, peace, and compassion: all the way to death, even death on a cross. As a result, we are called to stand in solidarity with all who suffer and to remember God is with us in our own suffering, too. Rev. Maddie and Rev. John are helping to lead this shared community worship service.

Holy Saturday, 4/20
Great Vigil of Easter Worship Service @ 7:30pm Presbyterian Church, 1458 Great Plain Ave

This is a day to remember the disciples’ experience of Jesus dead and buried in the tomb, and an opportunity for us to imagine how our lives and our world would be different without the living presence of God with us in Christ, without love or hope at all—sadly a present reality for all too many in the world. It's a service of quiet contemplation and intimate prayer. The Great Vigil of Easter begins in the dark to welcome the return of life and light with the resurrection of Christ

Easter Sunday, 4/21
Worship @ 10am in the Sanctuary

“Hallelujah! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!” Come and share the good news of Jesus' resurrection in word and music and fellowship.

Children’s Egg Hunt following worship. Separate areas for younger and older kids. Bring your basket