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What is Holy Week?
Holy Week refers to the week which begins with Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter Sunday during which the church remembers the events and words spoken by Jesus twenty centuries ago.
Why participate in Holy Week services?
As I’ve celebrated Easter lately, it has grown increasingly difficult to capture all that Easter means during an hour and a half worship service on Easter Sunday. Emotionally, it feels like too much to take in: the anticipation at the meal on Thursday evening, the shock of the betrayal, denial, and abandonment, the devastation on Golgotha, the finality at the tomb on Friday, and the thunderstruck hope and joy on Sunday. This year we will remember the events of Holy Week by celebrating Palm (or Passion) Sunday, Holy (or Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday (Tenebrae), and Resurrection (or Easter) Sunday. Both Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday will be celebrated during our regular worship times. In addition, we will hold special services on Thursday and Friday evening from 7-8pm.
What are the services?
- Palm Sunday (10:30 am on March 16). Found in Matthew 21, Palm Sunday remembers Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem upon a donkey colt which in effect identified him as the promised Son of David. Recognizing this, some in the crowd spread palm branches in Jesus’ path while others laid their cloaks on road and the crowd ran ahead of Jesus shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
- Holy (Maundy) Thursday (7 pm on March 21). Sundown on Holy Thursday begins the Triduum (tree do ‘em) or “three days.” Holy Thursday is oftentimes referred to as Maundy which is taken from the Latin “mandatum” or “commandment.” After washing his disciples’ feet and instituting the Lord’s Supper, Jesus told his disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).” On Holy Thursday, we will gather and recount Jesus’ last words to his disciples and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Holy Thursday concludes with recalling the betrayal of Judas Iscariot.
- Good Friday or Tenebrae (7 pm on March 22). Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows.” During the Good Friday service we will remember Jesus’ last words, his crucifixion, and death.
- Resurrection (Easter) Sunday (10:30 am on March 23). Resurrection Sunday remembers the truth that the tomb was empty because the Lord Jesus had conquered death by rising from dead. Jesus’ resurrection confirms for us that he is the Son of God, that he accomplished the work of saving his own, and that we too share in the hope of the resurrection and the promise of new life by our faith in him.
Childcare, as usual, is provided during our Sunday worship services. However, childcare is not provided for Holy Thursday or Good Friday service. Both Thursday’s and Friday’s services are quiet and more somber in their mood. Because of this somber mood, it may feel like too much of a challenge for parents to monitor young children. I want to encourage you to try it out. It has been my experience, that children pick up on the unfamiliar feel of the service and respond surprisingly well. How will they learn unless given opportunity? Not only is this a worship experience, but it is a teaching opportunity.
As you prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, you may want to reflect on the following passages and hymns:
- Read John 12-21. These chapters recount the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
- Read through the following hymn lyrics. Teach the tunes to your children. “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “What Wondrous Love is This,” “Morning Sun,” “Jesus Christ is Risen Today,” “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” or “Up from the Grave He Arose.”
- On Palm Sunday: Read: Psalm 24, Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 11, and John 19.
- On Holy Thursday: Read: Jeremiah 31:31f, Matthew 26, Mark14, Luke 22, John 13-17.
- On Good Friday: Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18-19.
- On Resurrection Sunday: Matthew 27-28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, 1 Corinthians 15.
FINAL DRAFT
Team/Leader: Davis and DeBoer
Order of Service
Scripture Reading: John 12:34-50
Prayer
Jesus, I Come
Extinguishing the First Candle: Luke 23:26-31
Thou Who Wast Rich
Extinguishing the Second Candle: Luke 23:32-34
God Be Merciful to Me
Extinguishing the Third Candle: Luke 23:38-42
There is a Fountain
Extinguishing the Fourth Candle: John 19:26-27
Worshiping God by Listening to His Word: “Woman, Behold your son.”
Corporate Prayer
Extinguishing the Fifth Candle: John 19:28
Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted
Extinguishing the Sixth Candle: Mark 15:34-36
O Sacred Head Now Wounded (piano only?)
Extinguishing the Seventh Candle: Luke 23:46
As a Deer (guitar only?)
Extinguishing the Eighth Candle: John 19:30
When I Survey
Extinguishing the Ninth Candle: John 19:31-42
There is no dismissal or benediction. Worshipers leave in darkness and quiet.
FINAL DRAFT
Team/Leader: Davis and DeBoer
Call to Worship: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Song: “How Great Is Our God”
Sermon: “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not…” John 1:5
Lighting the First Candle: Matthew 26:17-19
Lighting the Second Candle: Matthew 26:20-29
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Lighting the Third Candle: John 13:1-12
Song: “My Jesus I Love Thee”
Lighting the Fourth Candle: John 13:33-35
Lighting the Fifth Candle: John 14:1-11
Lighting the Sixth Candle: John 14:15-18
Song: “Come Thou Fount”
Lighting the Seventh Candle: John 14:25-31
Lighting the Eighth Candle: John 15:1-17
Lighting the Ninth Candle: Matthew 26:31-46
Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:47-56
There is no dismissal. After this reading, the congregation quietly leaves the sanctuary.
