Holy Week is the most important week in the Christian year. It begins (this year on April 5) with the celebration of Palm/Passion Sunday.  We will celebrate with a Palm Parade and a drama called “Trilogy” to help us experience the power of Jesus suffering and death.  Tuesday, the United Methodist Women will celebrate “A Meal in the Upper Room” at 6:30 PM.  On Maundy Thursday evening at 7 PM (April 9) we will spend time with Jesus in the Upper Room as he shares the Last Supper with his disciples and join together in the Holy Communion.  Our chancel choir and bell choir will have a part in leading us in worship that night.  On April 10, Good Friday, the Chapel will be open from 9 AM to 6 PM.  Please stop in for some quiet time with Jesus in the garden for prayer.  Good Friday worship will be held in the sanctuary at 7 PM.  The week will culminate with the joyful celebration of Easter during our two morning worship services.  You won’t want to miss these special services!

Why do I say Holy Week is the most important week in the Christian year?  It’s because during this week we focus on the most central beliefs of the Christian faith.  At the heart of our faith is the knowledge that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8, TNIV)   What incredible love God has for each of us that God would come to us in Jesus Christ and suffer and die so that we might be forgiven and reconciled with God.  Yet, that’s not the end of it.  Sunday comes after Friday.  “For if we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Rom. 5:10)  On the third day, Jesus rose from death making it possible for us to live anew in him!  Jesus’ death and resurrection make all the difference to those, who by the power of the Holy Spirit, simply believe it’s true.  May God bless you with faith in the power of the cross and new life in the Risen Christ!

Easter Blessings,

Anne