Sun, Mar 29

Palm Sunday

Worship Services • 8:30 & 11 am

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, during which Christians commemorate the events leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross for the salvation of the world. Palm branches were used that day by the crowd to salute Jesus (John 12:13), and they also represent victory and peace ( cf. Rev. 7:9). The beginning of the Palm Sunday service is joyful, permeated with the Hebrew praise-shout Hosanna, which means “Save [us].” In churches around the world, this grand procession into Jerusalem is re-enacted yearly in worship, accompanied, for the past 1,200 years, by the hymn “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” In this service, the joy of the triumphal entry quickly gives way to a sober contemplation of the Passion of Christ which remains our focus for the duration of Holy Week. The liturgical color red is used during Holy Week to represent Jesus’ blood.

Also

Bach Goldberg Variations — Piano Recital, 12:30 pm with Dr. Nathan Davy

Thu, Apr 2

Maundy Thursday

Communion Service • 7:30 pm

Maundy Thursday (from the Latin, mandatum, meaning “commandment” as found in John 13:34) serves with Good Friday and Easter Sunday as one continuous service commemorating the passion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of the continuity of the service over multiple days, there is no benediction pronounced until Easter. Clergy wear stoles which signify the servant towel worn by Christ as he washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper. Red reminds us of the blood of Christ shed for our sin. As the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus Christ is read from John 17, the church will be “stripped” to signify Christ’s moving from the celebratory meal of Passover toward the barrenness of Calvary where, as the Lamb of God, he takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). The crown of thorns recalls Christ’s trial and crucifixion, and the bare church reminds us of the grave into which Christ descended on Good Friday. Portions of this service are derived from practices over the centuries.

Childcare available

Fri, Apr 3

Good Friday

Tenebrae Service • Noon & 7:30 pm

Good Friday serves, with MaundyThursday and Easter Sunday, as one continuous service commemorating the passion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the continuity of the service over multiple days, there is no benediction pronounced until Easter. The word tenebræ is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness,” recalling the apparent triumph of darkness on Good Friday and Matthew’s reference to the increasing darkness that covered the earth as Jesus hung on the cross. During the service, the sanctuary will progressively darken. As an act of solemnity, the congregation remains seated or kneeling for the service, except during the reading of the Passion Gospel. The seven candles represent the seven last words of Christ and are extinguished to symbolize the sacrificial death of Jesus for our sins. The concluding drum signifies the earthquake that occurred after Jesus died.

Childcare available

Sun, Apr 5

Easter Sunday

Worship Services • 9am & 11 am

Today we begin a time of joyful celebration and feasting as we glory in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. In our sanctuary, the mournful purple and blood-red of Lent and Holy Week have been replaced with white and gold; somber hymns give way to our most joyous anthems and we reintroduce alleluias into worship. Alleluia simply means, “Praise the Lord,” and the Christian family around the globe resounds in praise: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously” (Exodus 15:1).

Eastertide is a season that focuses on new life. In the resurrection, new life springs forth from the grave by the power of God. We celebrate the historical, bodily resurrection of our Lord as evidence of the fact that life has indeed conquered death. The resurrection proves unambiguously that God is the final victor in the battle between light and darkness. Our greatest enemy is vanquished and the new life we see in Jesus on Easter morning has come (in part) and is coming (in full) to all those who trust in him. There is a reason to shout alleluia! Jesus is alive!

Nursery care is available for children ages 0-2.
Children's church and Sunday school will not take place on Easter Sunday.