Holy Week Worship

Worship at 8:00AM & 10:00AM

On Palm/Passion Sunday we begin with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as people welcomed him by waving Palm fronds and leafy branches.  We reenact this parade as we enter the sanctuary waving palm fronds.  We then hear the passion of Jesus Christ read from one of the first three Gospels.  The day invites us into Holy Week where we remember the lengths Jesus went to love us.  It is tradition for families to take the Palm fronds home and display them till next Palm Sunday.

Scriptures: Isaiah 50:4-9a • Psalm 31:9-16 •  Philippians 2:5-11  •  Luke 22:14 – 23:56  
Read online

Prayer:  O God of mercy and might, in the mystery of the passion of your Son you offer your infinite life to the world.  Gather us around the cross of Christ, and preserve us until the resurrection, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Actions for Palm / Passion Sunday

• Traditionally, the palm from worship is taken home and placed upon a picture of Jesus or a cross.  It’s left there till next year.  This action helps remind us of how all year long we join the welcoming crowd that shouted “Hosanna in the highest”.  We sing it at Communion every Sunday.  Another way to preserve your palm is to make a palm cross.  Search online for “palm cross” for instructions.
• The donkey that Jesus rides on is significant for two reasons.  First it reminds us that Jesus does not come in might, like a king on a war horse, but rather humbly.  Secondly, the Jews of Jesus day would made a connection to how their kings used to be crowned on a mule (or donkey), 1 Kgs 1:32-37.   If you look up a picture of a donkey, you will notice that they have a cross of dark hair on their back.  There are a couple different legends about how the donkey got this cross, all include Jesus and the story of the crucifixion.  Google “Legend of the donkey’s cross” and see how many variations you can find.  How does this legend help you understand what faithfulness is?
  

Morning Prayer (9:00AM) & Evening Prayer (7:00PM) on Facebook

Though we do not gather for worship on this day, individuals and family are encouraged to set aside special time for prayer.

Scriptures for this day: Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 36:5-11, Hebrews 9:11-15, John 12:1-11.
Read online

 Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, in your death you bring us justice through grace, help us so to approach the remembrance of your death this week, that we may take refuge in your sacrifice.  Amen.

Actions for Holy Monday:

• Reflect on how you fit into this story as you read, what impacts you the most in it this year?
• Aromas can be a powerful trigger for memory. As you read the Gospel lesson for today, set out a bottle of perfume and allow the aroma to spread.
  • You may wish to “anoint” each person in the household by making the sign of the cross on their forehead with the perfume. Tell them “You are sealed by the Holy Spirit and Marked as Christ’s own forever”
  • 300 Denarii (the stated value of the perfume in the Gospel) was nearly a year’s worth of wages for the average person in Jesus’ day (a Denarii was typically a day’s wages). If you had a bottle of perfume worth that much, what would you do with it? Why do you think Mary chose to use it on Jesus?

Morning Prayer (9:00AM) & Evening Prayer (7:00PM) on Facebook

With each passing day, Jesus death comes closer. 

Scriptures: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 71:1-14, John 12:20-26, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Read Online

Prayer:  Jesus Christ, son of God, you go before us to the grave, that new life might blossom forth, lead us to remember that in giving our lives to you, we receive true life.  Amen.

Actions for Holy Tuesday:

• Paul likens the cross to foolishness that is wiser than the world.  How might the cross (Jesus’ death) seem like foolishness?  How does it seem like wisdom?  How does the cross challenge you to change what you call wisdom and the way you think?
• Jesus uses the metaphor of planting wheat in the Gospel lesson today. You may wish to plant some seeds today (they don’t have to be wheat).
  • How is planting something sort of like death?
  • But when we plant something, it grows into something new. How does Jesus death produce “much fruit”?
• As we read Isaiah, we liken Jesus to the “light to all people”. Consider where the light of Christ needs to shine in your life.

Morning Prayer (9:00AM) & Evening Prayer (7:00PM) on Facebook

Scriptures: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70, John 13:21-32, Hebrews 12:1-3
Read Online

Prayer: Holy one of God, you gave everything that we might have life; without you, I am nothing; help me never to boast of anything except your cross. Amen.

Actions for Holy Wednesday:

• Reflecting on your own experience of betrayal (by others or that you have done) may help you reflect on Jesus today. 
• This day used to be called “Spy Wednesday” because on this day we remember how Judas, one of the 12 disciples, choose to betray Jesus to the authorities.  Reflecting on your own experience of betrayal (by others or that you have done) may help you reflect on Jesus today. 
• The Hebrew’s passage uses the phrase “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses”. This is the conclusion to a litany of remembering former saints in the Bible. It invites us to remember those who have taught and passed on the faith to us. Tonight is a good night to tell a story about someone who helped you learn about Jesus or gave you courage in your faith.

Morning Prayer (9:00AM) on Facebook
Worship @ Peace, 7:00PM & on Facebook

Today begins the the Triduum, the Three Days.  On this day we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples and his command to be servants of all.  The name for this day, Maundy Thursday, comes from the new command (mandatumin Latin and mandé in Middle English) Jesus gives his disciples, “that you love one another” (John 13:34).

Scriptures: Exodus 12:1-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Read online

Prayer: Christ, our Lord, you command us to love one another and by your example you instruct us to be servants of all, models your sacrificial love, strengthen us to follow where you have led.  Amen.

Actions for Maundy Thursday:

• Reflect on your own meal stories.  Are there meals that you remember in which important actions took place?  Recall memorable meals where news was shared or the first meal with someone who became a part of your life.  Share these stories with your family or someone you trust. 
• The Passover meal is about relationships.  The Jewish people observe Passover by gathering as a family and inviting friends and visitors to join them.  It is in this tradition that Jesus gathers with his disciples to eat on this night.  At meal time read the story of the Last Supper.  
• Read Luke’s account of the Last Supper: Luke 22:7-23
• This day concludes with Jesus going to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.  This time helps him to prepare for all that is to come.  Take time, after dark, this night to read Luke 22:39-46 and pray with Jesus. 
• A prayer before meals on this day:
  Lord Jesus, come to dine with us as you did with the disciples, the sinners, the crowds.  As we break this bread and share it, may we see your presence here, teaching us your way, that everywhere we go and all who see us, may see you in us.  For you hold both our death and our life, with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.
• In John’s version of the Last Supper, Jesus washes the disciple’s feet as an act of love and compassion. You may wish to do this before supper tonight. You can symbolically wash another’s feet or their hands as folks gather for the meal.
• A medieval tradition was to extinguish the hearth fire in the house on the evening of Maundy Thursday and not re-light it till Easter. This meant that there was no fire for heat, cooking, or light in the home for parts of three days. You may want to honor this tradition by extinguishing a candle. Leave the candle on the table as a reminder till Easter Day.

Morning Prayer (9:00AM)
Worship @ Hope, 7:00PM & on Facebook

As we continue the Triduum, we reach Jesus’ crucifixion and death.  Today is the most solemn of Christian observances.

Scriptures: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42
Read online

Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered death upon a cross for our sakes; We look upon You whom we have pierced with our sin.  Teach us how to forgive as you have forgiven us; to sacrifice as you sacrificed and prove to us that just as you have overcome that we shall overcome.  Amen.

Actions for Good Friday

• At noon (roughly the time of the crucifixion) and at 3:00pm (about the time Jesus died) pause for prayer and silence.  Set an alarm if you need to remember.  
• Carry a nail in your pocket today as a reminder of Jesus’ crucifixion.  When you feel it, recite the prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”
• Try the ancient tradition of prostrating one’s self before the cross.  Lie face down on the floor with hands outstretched and feet together (like on a cross).  With your face down (nose touching the ground) pray.  Does this position change the perspective of your prayer?

• This year Passover begins tonight. Because Passover follows the lunar cycle it doesn’t always match up with the Christian observance of Holy Week. In the year that Jesus died, Passover began on Thursday. The meal that starts the Jewish festival of Passover, the Seder Dinner, is the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples on the night he was betrayed.

Morning Prayer (9:00AM)
Worship @ Zion, 7:00 PM

Scriptures: Job 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, 1 Peter 4:1-8, John 19:38-42
Read Online

Prayer: Eternal God, rock and refuge: with roots grown old in the earth, river beds run dry, and flowers withered in the field, we wait for revival and release. Abide with us
until we come alivein the sunrise of your glory. Amen.

Actions for Holy Saturday

• Jesus spent this day in the grave.  Tradition says that this is the time that he set those in bondage free (Ephesians 4:8-10, 1 Peter 4:6, 1 Peter 3:18-20).  It is a day to reflect on what areas of our lives we need Jesus’ promised liberation.  
• If you planted some seeds on Tuesday, you may wish to check on them today. Today we read of Jesus being laid in the tomb. But there may already be signs of life in those seeds. If not yet, we know that they are coming.
• Tonight is the night of Easter Vigil, the most joyful worship of the Christian year. Be sure to join in the celebration at Zion for this very special worship experience. 7:00PM tonight. It marks the transition from the somber tone of Lent & Holy Week into the joy of Easter.

Sunrise vigil service, 8:00AM @ Peace
Easter Breakfast, 9:00 AM
Celebration of the Resurrection, 10:00AM @ Peace

Please note that worship is a bit different this Sunday. Both services are unique and are designed to fit together. They represent the two halves of the Easter Vigil service. 8:00AM is an abbreviated version of the service of lessons that begins the Vigil, reading 4 of the lessons that tell the story of salvation history. 10:00AM is the full Easter service with Holy Communion. Consider spending the morning in these two worship experiences with breakfast in between.

Scriptures: Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 and Luke 24:1-12
Read online

Prayer: We exult in your love, O God of the living, for you made the tomb of death the womb from which you bring forth your Son, the first-born of a new creation,
and you anointed the universe with the fragrant Spirit of his resurrection. Make us joyful witnesses to this good news, that all humanity may one day
gather at the feast of new life in the kingdom where you reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Actions for Easter:

• Easter is more than a day, it’s a celebration that lasts for 50 days. Consider making a decoration for your home that you keep up throughout the season to remember.
• “Alleluia” (lit. “Praise the Lord!”) is a word that we use a lot on Easter Sunday. We haven’t said it for all of Lent and now we shout it out with excitement. See if you can count how many times we say alleluia this morning and be sure to shout it.
• A prayer for the first light of morning: You have filled me with gladness O Lord.  I will sing for joy at the works of your hand.  On this day I give you praise upon praise, for on this day you have redeemed me from the death in which I live.  May this day be lived in joyful praise of you.  Amen.
• Rise early on this morning and go outside to watch for the sunrise.  At the first sight of the sun breaking over the horizon, begin shouting “Alleluia! Alleluia! He is Risen Alleluia!.  
• It is tradition to ring bells during worship in the Easter Season to express our great joy at Jesus’ resurrection.  Select a small bell with a joyful sound and bring it to worship with you, then ring it while we sing the Holy, Holy, Holy during Communion.  
• In Medieval times, the faithful would have gone without a hearth fire (think heat, light, and warm food) since Maundy Thursday. At the Easter vigil, a new fire would be kindled from which the paschal candle (a symbol of Christ) is lit. From this candle all the candles in the church are relit. The faithful would also light an individual candle from the paschal candle and take it home to relight their hearth fires. It’s a wonderful symbol of the joy of Christ’s resurrection spreading through our homes and warming our lives. If you chose to extinguish a candle on Maundy Thursday and have been waiting to relight it, now is the time! At your Easter dinner, announce “Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen!” and light your candle.