Here’s what’s happening in worship during Holy Week.
Worship Services
Palm Sunday Journey Worship | Sun. March 29, at 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Revisit the Journey. At this week’s service, we will hear testimonies from members and receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.
Palm Sunday Sanctuary Worship | Sun. March 29, at 11 am
Worship will begin with our Palm Sunday Processional. The Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach. His sermon will be entitled “Saving Salvation: Now or Later?” based on John 12:12–19. We also will receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.
Taizé Stations of the Cross | Wed., April 1, at 7 pm
We will offer a special Stations of the Cross Taizé service, led by the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan. Join us for this powerful prayer experience as we process with Jesus from the chamber with his friends to the Garden of Gethsemane, from the halls of Pontius Pilate to Golgatha, and into the tomb. Each step of the journey will be accompanied by scripture, prayer, and haunting Taizé chants. Please note that we will process from the Chapel to the Courtyard (weather permitting) to the Sanctuary and back to the Chapel. The procession is wheelchair accessible.
This week’s after-Taizé class will feature silent prayer in the shadow of the Cross.
Maundy Thursday | Thurs., April 2, at 7 pm
Communion service recalling Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. The Rev. Heather Schoenewolf will preach.
Good Friday | Fri., April 3, at 12 pm and 7 pm
The 12 pm service will be held in the Chapel and will include hearing again the Seven Last Words spoken by Jesus Christ on the cross. The 7 pm service will be held in the Sanctuary. It will feature Lenten hymns, and readings of both the seven “I Am” statements made by Christ, as well as a compilation of seven “I Am Not” statements made by Christ’s adversaries as recorded in John 18 and 19. The Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach at both services.
Easter Vigil | Sat., April 4, at 7 pm
This historic service begins in the Chapel with a time of reflection and reaffirmation of our baptismal vows. It then moves by procession into the Narthex and Sanctuary, culminating in the celebration of the first Holy Communion of the Easter season. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan will lead this processing Vigil.
Easter Sunday Journey Worship | Sun., April 5, at 8:45 am
The Rev. Heather Schoenewolf will preach at this week’s service in the Social Hall. Communion will be celebrated. There also will be a special Fellowship Time with refreshments from 9:45–10:45 am, prior to the 11 am service, in the Small Dining Room on the ground floor. Our theme this month is Mirror Images.
Easter Sunday Sanctuary Worship | Sun., April 5, at 11 am
This week’s Sanctuary service will be preceded by special music beginning at 10:45 am, with the Rev. Dr. Randy Bush preaching. His sermon will be entitled “The Extraordinary and the Ordinary” based on Matthew 28:1–20. Communion will be celebrated.
Christian Education Classes
We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 am. Click the links for adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.
Faith 101 | McKelvy Room
This week, the Rev. Shanea Leonard will lead our Faith 101 Lenten series, with our lesson, Church: An Imperfect Family. When we call the church a family, do we really mean it? The Rev. Shanea Leonard is the pastor at JUDAH Fellowship Christian Church in the Northside.
Contemporaries | Second Floor Parlor
Leila Richards will lead our class on Palestine Today and address the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and explore the impacts of U.S. foreign policy, the media, and religion on the region’s struggle for peace and justice.
Journey With Scripture | Second Floor Library
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit (Psalm 51:12). Restoration, joy, salvation, sustenance, willingness, and spirit; all these are for the asking—gifts of God in Christ for all. The Lenten readings for March can nourish us and witness to these gifts. Drop in and join us on the journey.
This week, our readings are Isaiah 50:4–9a; Psalm 31:9–16; Philippians 2:5–11; and Mark 14:1–15:47.
Seekers | Room 234
The Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will lead an exploration of the cross as both a religious item and a theological category, as it communicates, on a deep level, answers to the questions that intrigue all of humanity. This conversation will be guided by Brent Plate’s recent book, A History of Religion in 5 1/2 Objects.
Soul Food | Room 244 and Pastor’s Conference Room
We will continue discussing our Lenten text, Wondrous Encounters—Scripture for Lent, by Richard Rohr. New participants are always welcome!