April 13-20, 2025
REMEMBERING AND RETELLING the STORY of our redemption
Details for each day of Holy Week are found below. Questions about our Holy Week services? Email us here.
All services will be held at our building at 5124 S. College Ave.
Palm Sunday
04/13/25 - 10 a.m.
Holy Week begins with Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We pay tribute to our King's arrival with the opening liturgy of the palms - a remembrance of the exuberant procession of music, waving palms, and cries of “Hosanna!” that welcomed the Messiah into the city. Our church colors have changed to sacrificial red and we foretell the events to come through the Passion reading.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
The Palm frond, a Hebrew symbol of triumph and victory, is crossed with the scepter to symbolize Jesus’ kingship. The Hebrew is “hosheah na” which means “save us” or “rescue us.” The angles and arches encircling them bring to mind Jesus’ kingship, and also foreshadow the crown of thorns, reminding us as we join the chorus that the same crowd shouting “Hosanna” will later raise their voices to chant, “Crucify him!”
Maundy Thursday
4/17/25 - 6 p.m.
Maundy Thursday calls us to remember several significant events in the last hours of Jesus’ life. The Last Supper institutes Holy Communion. Jesus invites three disciples to watch and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest. But it is also when He gives us His example of servanthood by washing the feet of His disciples. It is this agape, this sacrificial love, that we embody in the washing of feet - leaders becoming servants, neighbors serving neighbors.* The service concludes with a solemn removal of all adornment from the altar, ending in silence to symbolize the events of the day continuing to Good Friday.
*This is an optional practice for those who still wish to attend but prefer not to participate in the foot-washing.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
The loaf and chalice symbolize the bread and wine of holy communion while the basin, ewer, and towel symbolize the washing of feet. The Greek word “agapate” is Jesus’ mandate to the disciples to love one another. Thirteen poppies symbolize remembrance and represent the thirteen figures present at the Last Supper. We are spurred to contemplate our own practices of love and service to others, as well as our unity as members of one body in Christ.
Good Friday
04/18/25 - 6 p.m.
This solemn service of prayer, Scripture reading, and sparse music testifies to the mighty power of Jesus’ death on the Cross, the moment in history beginning the restoration and reconciliation of all things.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
Three crosses sit upon the barren hill of Calvary, surrounded by a crown of thorns. The Hebrew is “Eli Eli lama azabtani,” Jesus’ lament “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” We mourn Jesus’ willing sacrifice, the beatings, mockery, and betrayal he suffered, and grieve over our guilt and complicity in them.
Holy Saturday
4/19/25 - 3 p.m.
Our short Holy Saturday service imagines what it would be like to gather as the disciples gathered after Jesus’ death, telling one another the stories of God’s faithfulness of old to bolster their saddened hearts. We will spend time in watchful prayer and readings of God’s promises in anticipation of the Light that will rise on Easter morning.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
The chrysalis represents Jesus in the tomb and brings to mind his body wrapped in burial shroud as well as the caterpillar awaiting second birth. It is comprised of eight pieces, foreshadowing a new beginning—resurrection to abundant, eternal life. Three concentric circles ring the image to remind us of the three days Jesus spent in the tomb. The Greek is “gregoreite,” a call to watch and pray through the darkness.
Easter Sunday
4/20/25 - Various Times
Easter Breakfast - 8:30 a.m.
Join us for a potluck-style Easter morning feast before our primary service. Sign ups for food contributions open on April 3rd here. If you want to come but can’t bring food, you’re still welcome to join us!
Easter Egg Hunt - 9:30 a.m.
School-age children will get to go on an Easter egg hunt before worship starts, led by our high-school age youth.
Easter Sunday Eucharistic Service - 10 a.m.
If you can only make it to one service on Easter, make it this one! Come join in the song of the Resurrection as we complete our Easter Sunday celebration with exuberant music, uninhibited “Alleluias!,” and the service of Holy Eucharist.
INVITATION THROUGH IMAGERY
The butterfly is a long-held symbol of resurrection and new life. It perches atop a hyacinth, mythic herald of spring and rebirth which also symbolizes a massive heavenly triumphal concert proclaiming the arrival of the Resurrected King of Creation. The sunrise represents a new beginning in Jesus’ redemption of mankind. Its seven rays stand for completeness, perfection, and unity. The outer ring is comprised of eight sections, a reminder that a new beginning in Christ is beyond completion, beyond perfection, even more than whole. The Greek “egerthe” is the traditional Easter greeting, “He is Risen.” Throughout the Easter season we surrender to Jesus’ lordship, proclaim the fullness of his perfection, and accept the invitation to join him in abundant new life.
Holy Week stained glass icons and “Invitation Through Imagery” text courtesy of Sacred Ordinary Days.