What is Holy Week?

Holy Week refers to the week which begins with Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter Sunday during which the church remembers the events and words spoken by Jesus twenty centuries ago.

Why participate in Holy Week services?

As I’ve celebrated Easter lately, it has grown increasingly difficult to capture all that Easter means during an hour and a half worship service on Easter Sunday.  Emotionally, it feels like too much to take in: the anticipation at the meal on Thursday evening, the shock of the betrayal, denial, and abandonment, the devastation on Golgotha, the finality at the tomb on Friday, and the thunderstruck hope and joy on Sunday. This year we will remember the events of Holy Week by celebrating Palm (or Passion) Sunday, Holy (or Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday (Tenebrae), and Resurrection (or Easter) Sunday.  Both Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday will be celebrated during our regular worship times.  In addition, we will hold special services on Thursday and Friday evening from 7-8pm.

What are the services?

Palm Sunday (10:30 am on April 5).  Found in Matthew 21, Palm Sunday remembers Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem upon a donkey colt which in effect identified him as the promised Son of David.  Recognizing this, some in the crowd spread palm branches in Jesus’ path while others laid their cloaks on road and the crowd ran ahead of Jesus shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Holy (Maundy) Thursday (7:00 pm on April 9).  Sundown on Holy Thursday begins the Triduum (tree do ‘em) or “three days.”  Holy Thursday is oftentimes referred to as Maundy which is taken from the Latin “mandatum” or “commandment.”  After washing his disciples’ feet and instituting the Lord’s Supper, Jesus told his disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).”  On Holy Thursday, we will gather and recount Jesus’ last words to his disciples and celebrate the Lord’s Supper.  Holy Thursday concludes with recalling the betrayal of Judas Iscariot.

Good Friday or Tenebrae (7:30 pm on April 10).  Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows.”  During the Good Friday service we will remember Jesus’ last words, his crucifixion, and death.

Resurrection (Easter) Sunday (10:30 am on April 12).  Resurrection Sunday remembers the truth that the tomb was empty because the Lord Jesus had conquered death by rising from dead.  Jesus’ resurrection confirms for us that he is the Son of God, that he accomplished the work of saving his own, and that we too share in the hope of the resurrection and the promise of new life by our faith in him.

Childcare, as usual, is provided during our Sunday worship services.  However, childcare is not provided for Holy Thursday or Good Friday service.  Both Thursday’s and Friday’s services are quiet and more somber in their mood.  Because of this somber mood, it may feel like too much of a challenge for parents to monitor young children.  I want to encourage you to try it out.  It has been my experience, that children pick up on the unfamiliar feel of the service and respond surprisingly well.  How will they learn unless given opportunity?  Not only is this a worship experience, but it is a teaching opportunity.

As you prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, you may want to reflect on the following passages and hymns:

Read John 12-21.  These chapters recount the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Read through the following hymn lyrics.  Teach the tunes to your children.  ”All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “What Wondrous Love is This,” “Morning Sun,” “Jesus Christ is Risen Today,” “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” or “Up from the Grave He Arose.”

On Palm Sunday: Read: Psalm 24, Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 11, and John 19.

On Holy Thursday: Read: Jeremiah 31:31f, Matthew 26, Mark14, Luke 22, John 13-17.

On Good Friday: Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18-19.

On Resurrection Sunday: Matthew 27-28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, 1 Corinthians 15.

This week we continue to break from the normal routine as we celebrate the passion and victory of Jesus over all his and our enemies. Here’s what’s going on:

• Corporate Prayer on Tuesday, April 7 from 10-Noon in the office. If you can join us for all or part, please do so. During this time we pray for the needs of our congregation and that Jesus would make his name great in our community. Also, if you are unable to attend, take time during this time to pray with us from where ever you’re at.
• Holy (Maundy) Thursday. Join us from 7:00-8:00pm on April 9 at the building as we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples by worshiping together through the celebration of the sacrament, singing, and scripture readings.
• Good Friday (Tenebrae). Join us from 7:30-8:30pm on Friday evening, April 10 as we remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins.
• Children’s Easter Egg Hunt. Join us Saturday, April 11 at 10:30 as GPC kids and our friends gather to have fun and learn about Easter.
• Resurrection Sunday. Join us Sunday, April 12 for gathered worship at 10:30am as we celebrate Jesus’ triumph over sin and death!

Take some time to pause and reflect on Jesus’ death and resurrection. As we celebrate in our gathered worship times, we’ll be looking at the three Marys of John 12-20: Mary of Bethany, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdelene and the extraodinary theological and pastoral revelations they received. Take a look for yourself.

It looks to be a beautiful weekend, and there’s a lot going on!

The Grace House Preschool Consignment Sale continues this evening from 4-6pm and tomorrow from 9 til 1pm. This looks to be one of the best years so far.

Middle Schoolers depart for their Spring Retreat: Fear Factor at 6pm from the church parking lot.

And on Sunday, we are priviledged to have with us good friend, Tim Brieaddy who will be sharing with us a new ministry in Waughtown and God’s word from Isaiah 58. Additionally, we will have special guest, Men of Grace, who will be leading us in worship. And if that wasn’t enough,  we’ll wrap up the morning showing hospitality to our guests and friends we’ve invited with Friendship Sunday, a covered dish potluck lunch.

Join us for Sunday, but don’t forget to set your clocks ahead Saturday Night. 10:30 am will feel a little earlier.

If you weren’t able to be with us the last time Men of Grace came, here’s a look-see.