This is the week that we remember the last 7 days of Christ’s ministry before his arrest and crucifixion. A lot happened during Holy week. Holy Week begins with Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, which we remembered on this last Palm Sunday. It also contains some very profound teachings of Jesus, which you can find in Matthew 21-25, Mark 12-13, Luke 20-21, and John 13-17.
Holy Week also contains the last supper, which we remember during our Maundy Thursday service. It also contains the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus, which we remember at our Good Friday service. Should you be able to make either of these, they’ll be in-person and streamed this week at 7 PM. We hope you can join us for one or both of these, as they help prepare our hearts for Easter.
But whether or not you make it to one of the weekly services or not, you can still participate in Holy Week, on your own, and even at home through what we call the Easter Vigil.
The Easter Vigil is the last day before Easter, often called Holy Saturday. It remembers a quiet and personal moment in the story of Holy week… it remembers waiting. You see, there’s this period of time during the story of Holy Week where the disciples truly did not know what was going to happen, did not know what to do, and were in deep despair. Christ had died, they had buried him, and Easter wasn’t going to happen for at least another 35 hours (or more). AND… they still weren’t entirely sure that Easter WAS even going to happen. It was a time of waiting for the Lord.
On Holy Saturday the church offers no special services, but instead encourages you to keep your Easter Vigil at home. It’s a time to be with friends and family.
Some will keep their Easter Vigil reading those last profound teachings of Jesus (which are listed above). Others may try to imagine themselves in the place of the apostles on that rough day of waiting but… that might be hard to do.
This is because, you and I live in the light of Easter, not in the waiting period before it. May I recommend instead of trying to re-live Holy Saturday, that we:
- Reflect on Psalm 40
- I waited patiently for the Lord, He inclined to me and heard my cry…
- That’s just the first line, but I suggest a full read, it’s perfect for Holy Saturday
- As you read and reflect, consider the ways that God has already been there for you, and think on them with thanksgiving.
- Consider where you may still be waiting for the Lord, and make those situations a matter of quiet and peaceful trust.
- If you’re looking for further reading, those last teachings of Jesus are very much worth a look too (they’re listed above).
The Easter Vigil reminds us that the Lord who loves us, who sent Jesus Christ to sacrifice for us, and then raise Him from the dead, will surely not abandon us in our waiting. God is good, all the time. And we hope you can join us this Easter Sunday to worship, to celebrate and share the gift of your fellowship.
- Sunrise service – 6:30 AM
- Easter Breakfast – 7:30-9 AM
- Easter Service 9:30 AM