HOLY WEEK

Remember and rejoice in Jesus’ victory
over sin, death, and the devil.

What is Holy Week?

If you have never gone through Holy Week, you may be wondering: “Why is this week different from all other weeks?” During Holy Week, the church journeys with Jesus through the final moments of his life, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the grave. We witness the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). By his blood God has delivered us from the slavery of sin and death and has brought us into the fullness of his promise that we, too, might share in his resurrection (Phil. 3:10-11).

Holy Week invites each one of us to go on pilgrimage: to journey with Jesus through the gates of Jerusalem, to eat with him and hear his commandment to love one another, to stay and watch with him in the garden, to accompany him on the way to Calvary, to be present at his death, and to dance for joy at his resurrection.

Let this Holy Week be your invitation to set your countenance on Jerusalem and, like Jesus, to journey to the Passover feast. Let us experience the remembrance of God’s saving deeds and encounter firsthand the power of the crucified and risen Christ to save and heal us.

Holy Week Schedule

• Sunday, April 15, Palm Sunday, 10:30am

• Thursday, April 17, Maundy Thursday, 6:30pm

• Friday, April 18, Good Friday, 6:30pm

• Sunday, April 20, Easter Sunday, 10:30am

Palm Sunday - “Hosanna in the highest!”

Palm Sunday is the day we commemorate the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, when he was greeted by a crowd, waving palm branches and shouting “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” With our own palms, we remember and join the crowds who sang “hosanna” to Jesus as an earthly king, perceiving his glory in limited and worldly terms, based on our own human experiences and expectations.

Sunday, April 13th at 10:30AM

Maundy Thursday - “This is my body, given for you.”

On Maundy Thursday we remember the final night of Jesus’ life when he washed his disciples’ feet, instituted the Last Supper, and told them, “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another.” On this night, we will gather to reflect on the significance of this night and end it by celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

Thursday, April 17th at 6:30pm

Easter Sunday - “He is not here; he is risen!”

Join us as we celebrate Easter the highest Feast Day of the year as we rejoice in Christ’ victory over death, hell, and the devil and the life He now brings to all those in Christ!

Sunday, April 20th at 10:30AM

Other Holy Week Activities

• Have pancake/waffle breakfast on Palm Sunday.

• Read the daily readings for Holy Week.

• Listen to Lent and Easter playlist (wait to play Easter playlist until Sunday).

• Make hot cross buns on Good Friday as a reminder of the cross of Christ.

• Wake up before sunrise on Easter morning and find somewhere to watch the sunrise, remembering that the light of Christ has dawned upon us (Isaiah 60).  

• Put out fresh flowers in your house on Easter morning. 

• Have a special meal on Easter Sunday.

• Take a family photo to post on your social media with an Easter note to friends and neighbors.

• Print out coloring sheets for your kids here or here.

MAKE A CROSS

• If you have a cross in your home that is meaningful to you, use that. Use a cross that is simple (not too ornamental or decorative), large, and helps you connect to the actual cross of Jesus. 

• If you don’t have one, this is a great time to get one or make one to have in your living room throughout Holy Week. You could make one out of wood with instructions like this, or a simpler one cut out of paper or cardboard and attach to your wall, or gather sticks from your yard to tie together into a cross. 

• On Maundy Thursday cover it with dark fabric, on Good Friday lay it on the ground, and on Easter Sunday put some flowers on it!