Palm Sunday
Luke 19:28-40; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
The Servant King is temporarily received with joy as the Messiah.
On Palm Sunday morning we celebrate the Coming of Jesus into our midst. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of what should be a great week of worship in the church and provides us with seven days of prayer, Scripture reading, mediation, and spiritual preparation. This is a day of coronation as we proclaim the King and the kingdom
We are worshiping the King and at the same time remembering the back room intrigue that would lead to Jesus' crucifixion. Take time to praise and remember back over the year and think how Jesus has come into your daily life and share a testimony of His goodness and grace with someone.
Monday
Read and Meditate on these Scriptures
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-10; Heb. 9:11--15; John 12:1-11
The King’s zealous desire for a holy House of Prayer where the nations may seek God.
Tuesday
Read and Meditate on these Scriptures
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14; 1Cor. 1:18-31; John 12:20-36
The sign of the withered fig tree proclaims God’s desire for a fruitful and faith-filled people under the Messiah’s reign.
Wednesday
Read and Meditate on these Scriptures
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 70 Heb. 12:1-3; John 13:21-32
Mary extravagantly worships the King by anointing Him in preparation for His death
The Great Triduum (Three Days)
We are going ot celebrate the next three days as one continuous act of worship. These days are a celebration of one event, unique and unrepeatable, that is eternally present in the people of faith. This event is the Passover of Jesus from death to life which is known as the Passover mystery.
The passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus are not three separate events, but one event, happening over three days. Although each element includes the remembrance of a past event, the emphasis falls not on historical happenings but on present reality.
We encourage you to remember what happened on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and Saturday. These events are not optional extras for the very devout, but essential elements of the entire event, without which the celebration of Easter is incomplete.
The celebration of the Lord's Supper on Maundy Thursday, is a reminder of the risen Lord who serves us. When we hear the Passion according to John and spend time in praise and worship it is the risen Christ who receives our adoration. When we announce the Resurrection on Easter morning, it is Jesus Christ, risen once and for all, whom we proclaim:
"Christ being raised from the dead will never die again, death no longer has dominion over him." Rom. 6:9.
We celebrate from the perspective of this irreversible act.
Maundy Thursday
Read and Meditate on these Scriptures
Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 1Cor. 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 21-35
The King serves His disciples by washing their feet, inaugurates the new covenant with the communion meal, and cries out to the Father in anguish in Gethsemane. Here we give thanks for the Lord’s supper. This is to remember His death and resurrection.
Good Friday
Read and Meditate on these Scriptures
Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22 Heb. 10:16-25; John 18:1-19:42
The substitutionary sacrificial suffering and death of the King for us all.
This is a day to focus on the exchange. The passion and death of the Lord is an act of ultimate exchange between you and your Savior. “He became sin that we might become righteous.” 2 Cor 5:21
Saturday
Read and Meditate on these Scriptures
Job 14:1-14; Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16 1Peter 4:1-8; John 19:38-42
Remembering the original disciples' despair in contrast to the later generation’s confident anticipation of Sunday's victory.
Take time to pray remembering the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus for you. Allow the weight of Jesus' death to grip your heart. Conclude the day thinking of God's grace and mercy toward you.
Easter Sunday
Read and Meditate on these Scriptures
Acts 10:34-43; Isaiah 65:17-25 1Cor. 15:19-26; John 20:1-18
Resurrection—the Glorified King defeats death and the fear of death.
This time of quietness before the risen Lord is to give you assurance that He is alive and victorious! He is Lord over all.
Easter Morning Breakfast Brunch
(9:30 am)
Join together with the members of the Body in fellowship this morning. Think about the "first breakfast" after the resurrection when Jesus prepared a meal for the disciples.
Easter Morning Worship
(10:30 am)
This will be a service filled with the celebration of His resurrection. We will share in singing, worship, drama, special music, preaching on “The Crown” from Pastor Mehring and a great time of rejoicing together.
