Life involves crossing various boundaries: from childhood to adolescence, adolescence to adulthood, and ultimately from life to death. Salvation also involves crossing boundaries. From its earliest days, the church has celebrated Christ’s journey from death to life with the sacred marking of days during Holy Week. These days begin with Maundy Thursday, continue on Good Friday, extend through the Vigil of Saturday evening and come to a conclusion on Easter Sunday (sundown on Thursday to sundown on Sunday measured the three days in the ancient world). These are the days leading to Easter; the day that changed the world.
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP| 8:00 am | Sanctuary REJOICE! CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP| 9:30 am | Christian Life Center ADORACIÓN HISPANA | 11:00 am | Centro de Vida Cristiana KOREAN WORSHIP 한국 예배 | 11:30 am | Sanctuary 성역 This day inaugurates the most important week of the Christian year, beginning with Jesus’ glorious entry into Jerusalem, ending with his crucifixion and death. Crowds gathered around him, waving palms and shouting “Hosanna!” April 14 | 7:00 pm | Sanctuary | Online Jesus’ actions reveal that discipleship means crossing the boundary from selfishness to servanthood. While the plot against him begins to unfold, Jesus has a meal with his disciples and afterward washes their feet. The humility and self-denial of the foot-washing foreshadow the cross, where Jesus washes the whole world in his blood. It is in this context that Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment to love one another “just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). We remember that having become one with Christ in baptism we are now to share ourselves with others in love and service. We strip the altar remembering that Jesus was stripped before he was beaten and crucified. We are also reminded that Christ was stripped of his dignity on the cross and that our servanthood involves humility and self-denial. Friday, April 15 | Noon and 7:00 pm | Online Our Lord’s servanthood reaches its ultimate limit. On the SUNDAY, April 17 SUNRISE CELEBRATION | 7:01 am | Oak Grove TRADITIONAL WORSHIP | 8:00 | Sanctuary REJOICE! WORSHIP | 9:30 am | Christian Life Center HISPANIC WORSHIP ADORACIÓN HISPANA | 11:00 am | Centro de Vida Cristiana KOREAN WORSHIP 한국 예배 | 11:30 am | Sanctuary 성역 The tomb is empty! Jesus Christ is risen! Like Mary Magdalene, we experience the risen Lord and our sadness and weeping come to an end. We now begin a fifty-day feast that lasts until the day of Pentecost, when we celebrate Christ’s sending of the Holy Spirit, the one who guides and sustains us until we pass from this world to the next.
(Behind The Back Porch | Bring your lawn chair and one to share with a friend.)