HOLY WEEK
March 31, 2010
If you have ever attended a Catholic Mass or a liturgical Protestant service, you know that Whitton Avenue Bible Church is about the furthest thing from “liturgical,” whether it be in the ordering of our services or in what services even have. While there are likely downsides to this way of doing things, there are also clear advantages. One advantage is that when we choose to have services outside of Sunday morning, it is highly intentional and comes with good reason.
This is the case with Holy Week. The week leading up to Resurrection Sunday is the only time of the year when we choose to have not one but two extra services during the week. If you are less familiar with these services, here is a brief preview of next week’s services.
Palm Sunday
This Sunday we will celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna!” (which means “Save, now!”). We try to recapture a small piece of this experience by having children walk to the front of the church, wave palm branches, and shout “Hosanna!” as we begin our worship time.
Maundy Thursday [6:30 PM, about an hour long]
The word “Maundy” traces back to the Latin word for “commandment,” which Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper. His commandment was simple: love one another just as I have loved you (John 13:34). Our Maundy Thursday service is focused on understanding Jesus’ love for us-especially expressed in the cross-and how we can love one another with Christ-like sacrifice and commitment. Thus we will spend time sharing communion in smaller groups and praying for one another.
Good Friday [6:30 PM, about 45 minutes long]
Our Good Friday service is one of the more meaningful times of reflection and remembering that I have experienced. We sing some hymns focusing on Jesus’ death for us, then listen to the story of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and sufferings. The readings from the gospels are accompanied by images depicting these events in a reverent, sobering, contemplative setting.
Resurrection Sunday [8:30 AM]
This year we have a special treat, as three brothers and one sister in Christ will be baptized on Resurrection Sunday. So we will not only hear from God’s word that “The Lord is Risen!” but we will hear from those whose lives have been changed by Christ’s resurrection and see this union with Christ on display through baptism. We will also be blessed with a choir leading us in worship of our risen King, and after the service we will enjoy breakfast together in the yard behind the House. Resurrection Sunday is the high point of our Christian calendar, and I look forward to sharing it with all of you! (Be sure to note the early service time-8:30 AM-so you can enjoy all the celebration with us.)
May the gospel of Christ’s love in his death and resurrection for us be central to our experience this Holy Week! I look forward to walking through this sacred time with you.
Pastor Chris