Holy Week & Easter
Holy Week
Holy Week is the most sacred week in the church year because it commemorates our Savior Jesus Christ's passion. Join us as we enter this most sacred time of reflection and anticipation for the hope and glory of Jesus Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. Scroll down for a full Holy Week and Easter Sunday schedule.
All services during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter will be held in person and online with the exception of Maundy Thursday ("Holy Thursday"),
and the Good Friday noon service. .
Palm Sunday
April 2, 2023 | 10:00am
On Palm Sunday, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the center of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work.
Maundy Thursday
April 6, 2023 | 6:30pm
Dinner Church (Fellowship Hall)
On Maundy Thursday our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.
Good Friday
April 7, 2023
Stations of the Cross | 12:00pm
Evening Worship | 7:00pm
Evening worship will be held at Peace Lutheran Church in partnership with Good Shepherd UMC and St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ’s death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devotion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently, and we anticipate the culmination of the Three Days in the Easter Vigil.
Easter Sunday
April 9, 2023 | 10:00am
Festive worship service with brass accompaniment and special music. A special fellowship hour will follow worship and include Children's Easter Egg hunt.
This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.