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!”
Jean-Hippolyte Flandrin (French, 1842-1848). Fresco. Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Paris, France.
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.”
The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1495–1498.
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
Christ Crucified, 1632 painting by Diego Velázquez
Good Friday - “It is finished.”
Good Friday we reflect upon the seven last words of Jesus from the cross and remember the love of God that was demonstrated for us by Christ’s sacrifice.
Friday, April 18th at 6:30pm
Resurrection of Christ, Marco Basaiti (1470–1530)
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 10th 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.
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!