Holy Week 2023 (April 2 to April 9th)
We are excited to celebrate Holy Week together this year! This is week represents the most sacred time in the church calendar, as we move from Palm Sunday, through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and ultimately to Easter. Here are our current plans at a glance, with more detailed information below.
Palm Sunday Celebration (April 2nd, 11am in the sanctuary)
Palm Sunday is a delightful day in the life of our congregation. We begin worship with our children and youth leading a Palm Processional around the sanctuary, and end with them handing out palm crosses to everyone in attendance.
We would love for you and your children and youth to participate. Children and parents, if you can, please arrive to the East Wing by 10:45am on Palm Sunday. We will share a few simple instructions and make sure you and your children have palm branches to wave!
We would love for you and your children and youth to participate. Children and parents, if you can, please arrive to the East Wing by 10:45am on Palm Sunday. We will share a few simple instructions and make sure you and your children have palm branches to wave!
Maundy Thursday Drum Circle (April 6th, 5:30pm on the front steps)
We are offering something a little bit different for Maundy Thursday this year! Our own drummer-in-residence, Daniel Scruggs will lead us in a drumming circle that is free and open to the public starting at 5:30pm. All drums and percussion instruments will be provided, but feel free to bring your own, as well! This is a family-friendly event, and all ages and beginners are welcome.
As we reflect on Maundy Thursday, one of the key themes that emerges from the Gospel accounts is unity: unity between Jesus and the disciples who gathered at the Last Supper, and unity in the church as Jesus prays for his followers on his last night (especially John chapter 17). Drumming circles are a unique spiritual experience that ground us in the present moment and are able to connect us together across all ages, races, political persuasions, religions, and all other barriers that divide us from one another. It may be that as we gather around a circle of drums (rather than around a table of bread and wine), we nevertheless find ourselves experiencing the deep sense of unity and peace that Christ calls us to as followers
Please note, this will not be a "worship service," and people of all faiths and no faith alike are welcome to join us. We will simply gather to enjoy time together, create community, and celebrate our common humanity together.
Weather Plan: In case of rain, we will simply move this gathering under the front portico!
As we reflect on Maundy Thursday, one of the key themes that emerges from the Gospel accounts is unity: unity between Jesus and the disciples who gathered at the Last Supper, and unity in the church as Jesus prays for his followers on his last night (especially John chapter 17). Drumming circles are a unique spiritual experience that ground us in the present moment and are able to connect us together across all ages, races, political persuasions, religions, and all other barriers that divide us from one another. It may be that as we gather around a circle of drums (rather than around a table of bread and wine), we nevertheless find ourselves experiencing the deep sense of unity and peace that Christ calls us to as followers
Please note, this will not be a "worship service," and people of all faiths and no faith alike are welcome to join us. We will simply gather to enjoy time together, create community, and celebrate our common humanity together.
Weather Plan: In case of rain, we will simply move this gathering under the front portico!
Good Friday (April 7th, 7pm in the Sanctuary)
This year we will offer a dark and somber Good Friday service as we remember and reflect on the crucifixion and death of Christ. This service will be a Tenebrae-style service entitled, "A Service of Shadows." It will begin at 7pm in the sanctuary and will end in darkness and silence. Childcare may be available. Please reach out and ask if you are interested!
We also have a wonderful pre-recorded video that our pastor made a couple of years ago that helps set the tone for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and would love for you to listen to it as you prepare for this sacred week.
We also have a wonderful pre-recorded video that our pastor made a couple of years ago that helps set the tone for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and would love for you to listen to it as you prepare for this sacred week.
Easter (April 9th, 11am)
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Finally, we hope you will join us for worship on Easter morning at 11am as we gather for worship on this most sacred day of the Christian calendar together.
Before the service, we will place flowers on the cross, symbolizing Jesus's resurrection and the new life that we all find in Christ. We invite you to bring cut flowers of your own to place in the cross before the service. We will also have extras to place, if you don't have any to bring! Just show up a little bit early for worship and join in the celebration as we decorate the cross together. Immediately after worship, we will have an Easter Egg hunt in the East Courtyard! Children and families, we'd love for you to join us for this! |