The sacred events of Holy Week are upon us. We begin our annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to witness the acts of God which make our faith today possible. We move from waving palms and hosannas, to secret meetings in Upper Rooms, to trials and beatings, an execution and burial, and, finally, to an empty tomb.
Palm Sunday begins the sacred drama of Holy Week. Worship begins outdoors with a bagpipe and palm procession. During worship the congregation joins in a dramatic reading of the passion by Mark which ultimately leads to the cross of Good Friday. The morning ends with a celebration of Holy Communion.
Maundy Thursday services are held at noon and at 7:00 pm. The evening service will feature the final drama in our “The Cross and our Witness” series. First communicants will celebrate their first communion. The evening ends with the stripping of the altar.
Good Friday’s brief noon service, “Litany of the Cross”, moves around the sanctuary as though we were walking with Christ through the Stations of the Cross. The 7:00 pm service of Tenebrae is a service of light and darkness. We hear Christ’s words from the cross and sense the darkness of his death. The evening ends with time for personal prayer and meditation.
Holy Saturday is filled with anticipation of Easter resurrection at our regular 5:30 pm Saturday service.
Easter Morning Vigil begins at 6:00 am in the darkness of our Memorial Garden with the lighting of the new flame. The congregation enters the darkened sanctuary by candlelight for the traditional reading of the scriptures, baptisms, and celebration of Holy Communion.
Easter Sunday Festival services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am celebrate Christ’s victory over death. Easter hymns, Easter lilies and the celebration of Holy Communion make this morning like no other in the church year!
