Holy Week
This year, Holy Week begins on April 2nd with Palm Sunday. We’ll begin worship that day by waving palm branches from the steps of the church and then into the sanctuary. It marks the beginning of Holy Week and all that unfolds in the story of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. After Palm Sunday, the next time we’ll gather as a worshipping community will be on Maundy Thursday. A potluck meal will begin at 6:15 pm with worship following in the Imagine Center. At the conclusion of worship, we will move into the sanctuary for the stripping of the altar.
On Good Friday, worship begins in the sanctuary at 7 pm. We will hear the story of Jesus’ suffering and death. On Holy Saturday, you’re invited to bring flowers and decorate the cross in the sanctuary from 9 am to 7 pm. This may also be a time to pause and pray by a cross that is being transformed from an image of death to new life.
On Easter Sunday, you’re invited to join us at Lebanon Church of the Brethren at 7 am for a Community Sunrise service. Later, at 11 am, we’ll gather at Salem for worship rejoicing in the resurrection, Alleluia! He is Risen!
That’s a busy week. And we’re not even talking about Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday. So, what’s going on during those days? I typically spend these days preparing for the worship events to come later in the week. When I say prepare, it’s so much more than just finalizing plans as a worship leader, it’s preparing ME for what is to come. How will the suffering, death, and resurrection stir my soul this year? Will I hear something different? Will it affect me in new ways? How will this move from a story to a journey within me? May God bless our Holy Week – Sunday to Sunday. God be with us in our prayers, God be with us in our work, God be with us in our rest, God be with us as we prepare to be transformed.
Peace, Pastor Derek
Recent Comments