Palm Sunday
This Sunday we will experience the joyous demonstration of loyalty to Jesus as he enters Jerusalem as the suffering servant riding on a donkey instead of the noble steed of a triumphant King. The crowds wave palm branches and lay their cloaks on the road. The palm tree has always been a tree of honor; it marked the place where one could find water. All the children in the processional will wave palm branches to signify the beginning of Holy Week liturgically.
Lenten Journey
This is a series of private meditations based on the seven last words of Christ. Come to the Sanctuary on April 3 and 4 from 10am-1pm & 4pm-8pm. You will go from the Sanctuary to the Fellowship Hall to spend time at each of the meditation stations. Prepare your heart for the Lord to enter.
Maundy Thursday 7:00pm, April 5, 2012
On the Thursday before Passover Jesus met with his disciples in the upper room for the Passover meal. Christians commemorate the supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. In remembrance of Jesus’ act of servant-hood and love, we will have our hands washed in Thursday’s service. The ancient practice of stripping the altar and Sanctuary following communion is a vivid and dramatic way of showing the desolation and abandonment of the long night in Gethsemane and what followed.
Easter Sunday
Sunrise service at the meadow cross, 7:00am, Easter breakfast, 8:00am- FH
Sunday Easter Service, 10:30am Sanctuary
Jesus is raised from the dead. Christians rejoice with the proclamation, “Christ is risen!” The answering response is, “He is risen indeed!” The annual date for Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox. This date was set at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Today we consider every Sunday as a little Easter. We especially celebrate Easter Sunday with a worship service of praise and thanksgiving.
It is important not to let the celebration of Palm Sunday crowd out the observance of our Lord’s passion. We must experience the whole story. Many will attend worship for Palm Sunday and will not come again until Easter. Going directly from the lesser joy of the entry of Jerusalem to the joy of Easter, without re-experiencing the passion and the cross of our Lord, misses the truth. There is no triumph without suffering, no crown without a cross. Come join us as we celebrate with trumpets and bells and music.
Blessed Holy Week to each of you.
Pastor JoNell Lindh
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