March 24-31, 2024
REMEMBERING AND RETELLING the STORY of our redemption
Details for each day of Holy Week are found below, including links to livestreams and liturgy downloads as they become available. Questions about our Holy Week services? Email us here.
All services will be held at our building at 5124 S. College Ave.
Palm Sunday
03/24/24 - 10 a.m.
Holy Week begins with Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We pay tribute to our King's arrival with the opening liturgy of the palms - a remembrance of the exuberant procession of music, waving palms, and cries of “Hosanna!” that welcomed the Messiah into the city. Our church colors have changed to sacrificial red and we foretell the events to come through the Passion reading.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
The Palm frond, a Hebrew symbol of triumph and victory, is crossed with the scepter to symbolize Jesus’ kingship. The Hebrew is “hosheah na” which means “save us” or “rescue us.” The angles and arches encircling them bring to mind Jesus’ kingship, and also foreshadow the crown of thorns, reminding us as we join the chorus that the same crowd shouting “Hosanna” will later raise their voices to chant, “Crucify him!”
Maundy Thursday
3/28/24 - 6 p.m.
Maundy Thursday calls us to remember several significant events in the last hours of Jesus’ life. The Last Supper institutes Holy Communion. Jesus invites three disciples to watch and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest. But it is also when He gives us His example of servanthood by washing the feet of His disciples. It is this agape, this sacrificial love, that we embody in the washing of feet - leaders becoming servants, neighbors serving neighbors.* The service concludes with a solemn removal of all adornment from the altar, ending in silence to symbolize the events of the day continuing to Good Friday.
*This is an optional practice for those who still wish to attend but prefer not to participate in the foot-washing.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
The loaf and chalice symbolize the bread and wine of holy communion while the basin, ewer, and towel symbolize the washing of feet. The Greek word “agapate” is Jesus’ mandate to the disciples to love one another. Thirteen poppies symbolize remembrance and represent the thirteen figures present at the Last Supper. We are spurred to contemplate our own practices of love and service to others, as well as our unity as members of one body in Christ.
Good Friday
03/29/24 - 6 p.m.
This solemn service of prayer, Scripture reading, and sparse music testifies to the mighty power of Jesus’ death on the Cross, the moment in history beginning the restoration and reconciliation of all things.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
Three crosses sit upon the barren hill of Calvary, surrounded by a crown of thorns. The Hebrew is “Eli Eli lama azabtani,” Jesus’ lament “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” We mourn Jesus’ willing sacrifice, the beatings, mockery, and betrayal he suffered, and grieve over our guilt and complicity in them.
Holy Saturday
NO SERVICES
We will not be holding an Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday. Elements of this service will be incorporated into our Easter morning celebration (see below). Our hope is that this change enables us to celebrate Easter Sunday together with an abundance of joy.
We still encourage you to reflect on the somberness of this day. To spend time in watchful prayer in anticipation of the Light that will rise on Eastern morning.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
The chrysalis represents Jesus in the tomb and brings to mind his body wrapped in burial shroud as well as the caterpillar awaiting second birth. It is comprised of eight pieces, foreshadowing a new beginning—resurrection to abundant, eternal life. Three concentric circles ring the image to remind us of the three days Jesus spent in the tomb. The Greek is “gregoreite,” a call to watch and pray through the darkness.
Easter Sunday
3/31/24
Vigil Service of Light & Lessons - 6:30 a.m.
The Sunday morning vigil, which will begin before sunrise, will be a shorter and simpler version of what we have often done on Saturday night. We will kindle the holy fire, sing the Exsultet, and read (rather than act) the Old Testament stories that point to Jesus in anticipation of our joyful celebration of his resurrection. We will wait until the later morning service to complete our celebration of his death and resurrection in the Eucharistic meal.
Easter Breakfast - 8 a.m.
Register here! Registration is not required, but helpful. If you’re visiting, we encourage you to sign up so we can save you a seat.
Easter Sunday Eucharistic Service - 10 a.m.
If you can only make it to one service on Easter, make it this one! We will complete our celebration with lots of singing, dancing, some “Alleluias!” and Eucharist.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
The butterfly is a long-held symbol of resurrection and new life. It perches atop a hyacinth, mythic herald of spring and rebirth which also symbolizes a massive heavenly triumphal concert proclaiming the arrival of the Resurrected King of Creation. The sunrise represents a new beginning in Jesus’ redemption of mankind. Its seven rays stand for completeness, perfection, and unity. The outer ring is comprised of eight sections, a reminder that a new beginning in Christ is beyond completion, beyond perfection, even more than whole. The Greek “egerthe” is the traditional Easter greeting, “He is Risen.” Throughout the Easter season we surrender to Jesus’ lordship, proclaim the fullness of his perfection, and accept the invitation to join him in abundant new life.
Holy Week stained glass icons and “Invitation Through Imagery” text courtesy of Sacred Ordinary Days.