If you have never gone through Holy Week, you may be wondering: “Why is this week different from all other weeks?”
During Holy Week, the church journeys with Jesus through the final moments of his life, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the grave. Holy Week invites each one of us to go on pilgrimage: to journey with Jesus through the gates of Jerusalem, to eat with him and hear his commandment to love one another, to stay and watch with him in the garden, to accompany him on the way to Calvary, to be present at his death, and to dance for joy at his resurrection. We pray that for all of us, Holy Week may be our invitation to set our focus on Jerusalem and, like Jesus, to journey to the Passover feast. Let us experience the remembrance of God’s saving deeds and encounter firsthand the power of the crucified and risen Christ to save and heal us.
Palm Sunday “Hosanna in the highest!” April 13, 2025
Palm Sunday is the day we commemorate the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, when he was greeted by a crowd, waving palm branches and shouting “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” With our own palms, we remember and join the crowds who sang “hosanna” to Jesus as an earthly king, perceiving his glory in limited and worldly terms, based on our own human experiences and expectations.
The Triduum or “The Three Days” April 17~19, 2025
“Triduum” comes from the Latin word meaning “three days,” and encompasses the three most sacred days in the Church year. It begins at sundown on Holy Thursday, reaches a high point on Easter Sunday. The liturgical celebrations during the Triduum on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are rich with symbolism and flow from one to another in a seamless way. While it may appear as if these liturgies are separate and distinct, they are actually intended to be one continuous celebration that commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. For this reason, all are encouraged to observe the entire Triduum by attending all of the liturgies.
Maundy Thursday “This is my body, given for you.” April 17, 2025
On Maundy Thursday we commemorates the final night of Jesus’ life when he instituted the Lord’s Supper (see 
Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-30; 1 Cor. 11:23-25), washed his disciples’ feet, and told them, “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another.” On this night, we will gather to reflect on the significance of this night and celebrating the Lord’s Supper.
Good Friday (Tenebrae) “It is finished.” April 18, 2025
Good Friday we commemorate the passion (suffering) of Jesus in his suffering, crucifixion, and death. We do so by meditating upon the seven last words of Jesus from the cross and remember the love of God that was demonstrated for us by His sacrifice.
Holy Saturday is traditionally a day to be spent in prayer and reflection, remembering that Jesus was dead, and there was a deep shadow over all the world. April 19, 2025
Resurrection Sunday “He is not here; he is risen!” April 20, 2025
Easter is the highest Feast Day of the year as we celebrate Christ’ victory over death, hell, and the devil and the life He now brings to all those in Christ! Because Christ rose from the dead, it means death could not hold him and Satan has no power over him; and means that all those who are in Christ Jesus will also be resurrected and given eternal life! This service is marked by joyful celebration and rejoicing!
A Journey Through Holy Week
Palm Sunday Jesus is celebrated as King of kings. Luke 19:28-40
Holy Monday Jesus clears the temple. Luke 19:45-48
Holy Tuesday Jesus teaches in the temple. Luke 20:1-21:4
Holy Wednesday Judas agrees to betray Jesus. Luke 22:1-6
Maundy Thursday Jesus washes feet at the Last Supper Luke 22:7-65
Good Friday Jesus is Charged and Crucified Luke 22:66-23:55
Holy Saturday A Day of Sorrow, Jesus in the Grave
Easter Sunday The Day of Resurrection Luke 24:1-12
Easter Evening Jesus Appears on the road to Emmaus Luke 24: 13-34
We use Holy Week as a personal and congregational time to prepare for the great drama, to partake in the drama, and to focus our eyes on the One who has given all that we may live. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Saturday, comprising the seven days before Easter Sunday. During that time, Christians, both Catholic and Protestant mark each day by reading of the events in scripture, and reflecting on what it might have been like, in Jesus time, and what those things mean for us today.
As a tool for your use through Holy Week 2023, there is a prayer included for each day. Also, we would invite you to join in the services on Maundy Thursday at 7:00 at the church, where we will share Communion, remembering Jesus last meal with his disciples, before he was arrested.
On Good Friday the community service is at 10:30 at Hope Covenant Church and will be led by Lord of All. We will also have an evening service at 7:00, at Lord of All, with a number of our members participating, and enabling us to reflect on the cross and take the cross out with us, as a reminder of what Jesus has given to us, through his sacrifice.
On Easter Sunday we begin at 8:00 with a brief “sunrise” service at the church, followed by a Potluck breakfast. Dig out your favorite breakfast recipe and join us for this reflective service of joy. At 10::30 we gather and celebrate that “He is Risen Indeed” and share the treasure of Holy Communion as his family.
We look forward to sharing this special time of “Amazing Grace” with all!
Prayers for Holy Week
PALM SUNDAY
Father God, thank You that Jesus came humbly, riding on a donkey, proclaiming peace. We pray for the peace of our world and in our times. Make us instruments of your peace and guide us in the ministry of hospitality. We celebrate Him today as King and ask that His Kingdom come in our lives, too. We praise You now and will praise You throughout the coming day, in Jesus’ name. Amen..
HOLY MONDAY
Father God, Jesus declared that Your house would be a house of prayer. We are like living stones being built up as a spiritual house. Remind us today to pray without ceasing. This day we confess our need for you and bring all our cares and concerns before Your throne. May we bring You honor and glory in our thoughts, words, and actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
HOLY TUESDAY
Father God, You promised a Messiah and He came, just as You said. He came and taught that all could know and come to You. We have faith that we can count on His promised return when we will join Him forever. Make us people whose word can be trusted and who are faithful, in love, to You, to our families, and to our neighbors. Increase our faith and boldness to proclaim the truth and promises of Jesus to the world. In His Name, we pray, Amen.
HOLY WEDNESDAY
This day, Father God, we reflect on Judas as he offered to be the one to hand Jesus over. We ponder why, but we recognize that in his eyes and heart, at that moment, something compelled him. As Jesus offered Himself for us on the cross, so we now desire to offer our lives to You. Make us to shine the light of Christ in the world, so that the words we speak, the actions we take, and the inner workings of our hearts bring light to others and bring to You joy. May we choose to live for Christ who died for us and lives forevermore. In His name, we pray. Amen.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Father God, Jesus demonstrated humble service in washing the feet of the apostles and humble obedience in submitting to Your will. May we be like Him today as we serve those around us and live for You. We humble ourselves before You. Show us how to live sacrificially and extend ourselves to the poor, the outcast, and those who suffer around the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
GOOD FRIDAY
Father God, this day we are awed at the mystery of Christ’s death and all that He accomplished for us on the cross. We are humbled at such amazing love that gives all so that we might live. Jesus announced on the cross that “It is finished” and so tonight, may we rest in faith that His sacrifice covers our sins, and will open a way for us to be in your presence forever.. His grace is sufficient for us and for that we are truly thankful. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
HOLY OR SILENT SATURDAY
Father God, this day we come before You with silence. Wrapped in shadow. Help us to make and take time for silent reflection in the midst of that his happening in our lives and in the world around us. In the stillness, may we sense Your presence and know You are near. Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. We know this full well. He demonstrated His love on the cross and we receive that love today. We praise You and honor You in silence and in peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May your Holy Week be filled with the richness and depth of what happened and what our Lord was willing to take up, and to sacrifice, on our behalf. There is an old familiar hymn, “Were You There”, that we sing in Holy Week. May we all recognize this year, that indeed we were there in Christ’s heart and have been surrounded by his Love, ever since.
Pastor Dawn
