Holy Week is about the journey from death to new life and new creation, as we may see in this photo of a forest not far from Palo Alto. A photo gallery from previous Holy Week celebrations is below.
During Holy Week – the week before Easter – we focus on the last week of Jesus’ story, including his arrival in Jerusalem, final moments with his followers, his arrest, trial, execution, burial and the empty tomb. These aren’t just sad stories leading up to a happy ending. There are joyful, tender, dark and mysterious notes, major and minor chords all along the way. It’s all about God’s love giving real people real hope.
Some of the beautiful texts, music and patterns of these worship events – shared in common with Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists and others – go back many centuries, even as we try to present things in fresh ways. It’s a joy just being able to bond with the FLC community as we “do” Holy Week each year. And all ages are involved!
Palm and Passion Sunday begin Holy Week (Sunday, April 13, 10am). We start outside joyfully waving branches, hearing about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace. Then we move into the sanctuary for the Liturgy of the Passion. There we’re introduced to the story we’ll be pondering all week, from Jesus’ last supper to his death – the version found in Luke’s gospel. We’ll have multiple readers and the congregation will join in musically, led by the choir. Holy Communion is celebrated.
The next FLC Holy Week worship services are The Three Days (Latin: Triduum): Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil. This is considered to be one worship service broken up into three sessions. We use one bulletin for all three.
The focus of Maundy Thursday (Thursday, April 17, 6pm) is Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, and the “mandate” he gives at that supper: to love each other as he loves us. The service feels warm and inviting. After confession with special words of forgiveness, we gather in the fellowship hall to eat dinner together as part of worship. We’ll hear about Jesus washing feet, the institution of the Passover and of Holy Communion. The service ends in a psalm of lament, as the sanctuary is emptied of decoration for Good Friday.
The focus of Good Friday (Friday, April 18, 7pm) is Jesus’ death – not as his defeat, but his victory; and not as shame, but God’s glory – an emphasis of John’s gospel. The service feels contemplative, simple and beautiful. We sit for “bidding” prayers that articulate the depth of this world’s need. Then there’s a time for adoration of the cross as the instrument of our salvation. The evening concludes on a hopeful note, with a grand hymn about the cross as tree of life.
In ancient times, a day was thought to begin at sundown, not sunrise. So as we might celebrate Christmas Eve and not just on Christmas Day, we begin Easter the night before Easter – with the Easter Vigil (Saturday, April 19, 7pm). The service feels dramatic and festive. The first symbol of resurrection is a single light shining in great darkness. So we begin outside with a fire, from which we light a big Easter (Paschal) Candle. Processing indoors, we each light our own candles from this one and listen to the beautiful sung Easter Proclamation. Then, we hear a sort of “greatest hits” of bible stories, all which have to do with the passage from death to life: creation, exodus through the parted waters and others – often told and sung in creative ways by kids and adults. The first joyful Alleluias of Easter are sung as the flowers are uncovered. There may be baptisms or a time to remember our baptism, the story of the empty tomb, Holy Communion and a party afterwards.
Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 20), there’s a big pancake breakfast (9am) and egg hunt for the kids. Worship (10am) includes festive hymns, guest musicians and the refrain: Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! We hear the story of Easter morning and the empty tomb, and celebrate Holy Communion.
So are these services suitable for kids? Yes – especially the procession on Palm Sunday, the dinner setting for worship on Maundy Thursday, the fire and candles and fun stories of the Easter Vigil. Good Friday is more subdued, but shorter (most services are about an hour). And it’s always fine for adults and kids to take breaks as needed – perhaps walk around outside for a bit.
The presence of newcomers and familiar faces is always a wonderful gift in Holy Week. Join us!
