Holy Week 2025

Holy Week is the time between Palm Sunday and Easter. It is considered the most sacred time of the year for Christians when we walk along and hear the story of Jesus' final days of his life, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the grave. It is the culmination of the Lenten pilgrimage journey drawing closer to Jesus in preparation to celebrate these holy days. Join us all the times we gather to hear this story of God's salvation through Jesus unfold. Palm Sunday worship is April 13th at 9:30am and our Sunday School kids sing. Maundy Thursday worship is April 17th at 7pm and First Communion is celebrated. Good Friday worship is April 18th at 7pm and focuses on Jesus' last words from the cross as he dies. Easter Sunday worship is April 20th at 7am and 9:30am telling us the good news that the tomb is empty, Jesus is risen from the dead! You can also bring the family and come between worships for an Easter pancake breakfast at 8am!

Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey with crowds that shouted "Hosanna!" This phrase means, "save" or "save us" and was used as a word of praise. Jesus was recognized by people as one who saved them from their sins, healed their illness, and even raised Lazarus from the dead. This crowd saw it fitting to yell, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” and “Blessed is the king of Israel!” They were excited to gather in Jerusalem to have Passover and were grateful for the hope that Jesus was bringing.

Maundy Thursday is the night we remember that Jesus gave a command to love as he had humbly loved as he shared the Last Supper with his disciples. We gather to hear this story again and reflect on this holy sacrament, the gift of forgiveness and love delving into the mystery of Christ truly present with us. This is the feast and celebration where we are invited as God's children to come and be fed by his Jesus' lifegiving Word.

Good Friday focuses on Jesus' Passion, the time of Jesus' suffering, his crucifixion, and death. Meditating on Jesus' last words and remembering his love that the Father shows to us through him choosing to suffer in a way that we his followers are let go and free from the same fate displays sacrificial love. We pray and wait with the disciples in their grief hoping that something good can come from such a tragedy.

Easter Sunday is the first day of the week after the Passover festival was over and when Jesus' tomb was discovered to be empty! The good news starts to spread. The women tell others what they had seen and heard from heavenly messengers and more stories come out of Jesus appearing to his disciples. He is resurrected from the dead and we celebrate with shouts of Alleluia! God's power over sin and death are revealed in Jesus risen from the grave and gives us hope of eternal life with God! This is the greatest story ever told and it is your story, it is my story, and most of all it is God's story.