Holy Week, beginning this Palm Sunday and continuing through Holy Saturday, immerses us in the Passion of Christ. It brings us into the heart of how God rescues us from evil and grief. On Sunday we will hear Isaiah prophesy how Jesus carries our sorrows and is wounded for our iniquities – “where the wrongs we have done, and the wrongs done to us, are nailed there with him, there at the cross.”
This week the invitation is to bring the griefs and evils of life into the Passion of Jesus. It may be the anguish from the devastation in the news, the despair of an extended illness, the shame of a hidden sin, the sorrow over a failing relationship, the guilt from a recent relapse – whatever “it” may be, in the Passion of Jesus the Rescue begins, drawing us from darkness and death into light and life.
The ancient meaning of “passion” is extreme suffering; the common meaning today is deep devotion. Both apply to the love of God in Jesus. Join us for our Holy Week services to participate in this love:
Palm Sunday (8am & 10:30am): We’ll begin this day of celebration and sorrow outside the Mission Outpost, processing together with waving palms into the building.
Maundy Thursday (7pm): Following the example of Jesus, we’ll have the opportunity to wash each other’s feet or hands. We’ll then step further into the suffering of Jesus through the Stripping of the Altar.
Good Friday: Outside the church at noon, together we’ll visit each of the Stations of the Cross. Then from 12:30pm-6:30pm, you may visit the Nave to walk at your own pace through an Interactive Stations of the Cross. At 7pm, we will gather in the Nave for a Good Friday service (with music from our Choir), culminating in time spent praying before the cross.
Holy Saturday (9am-1pm): The Nave will be open for silent prayer and contemplation. Pastor Sallie and I will be available for the Rite of Reconciliation.
Almighty and everlasting God, in your tender love for us you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our nature, and to suffer death upon the Cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and come to share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Your Pastor in Christ,
