Next week is Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday on March 29, and ending with Easter Sunday on April 5. Many of you may wonder each year why Holy Week matters. What is Holy Week? And why should I care?
Holy Week is a part of the Christian tradition, reliving the final week of Jesus's life. For those who are not familiar with the history behind these traditions, it may seem like "too much church." But once you understand the significance these celebrations hold, you may come to value this time of reflection and preparation before Easter Sunday. Many faith traditions skip from the "parade" of Palm Sunday to the celebration of Easter without taking time to reflect on the last week of Jesus' life. You may want to take some time this year during Holy Week to reflect on the powerful last days of Christ's life.
There are many churches in the Grapevine area that offer services and remembrances during Holy Week. If you're looking for an option, First United Methodist Church in Grapevine would like to invite you to experience Holy Week together with us as a community. Below, we have outlined the special days of Holy Week and the significance of each service, so that you may learn a little more about why we celebrate Holy Week.
Palm Sunday, March 29
Worship at 8:30, 9, 9:45, 11 a.m. | Picnic & Easter Egg Hunts 12-2 p.m.
Palm Sunday is a celebration of Jesus's arrival in Jersualem before the events that led up to the crucifixion. We call it "Palm Sunday" because in the scripture, it says that people waved palm branches and praised Jesus as he entered (see John 12:12-13). It was like a parade! In the church today, we relive the parade by waving palm branches during the worship service.
Maundy Thursday, April 2
Come and Go Communion from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Founders Chapel
Worship at 7 p.m. (English in the Sanctuary | Spanish in Founders Chapel)
Maundy Thursday is an alternate name for Holy Thursday, the first of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus. The English word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum, which means "commandment." As recorded in John's gospel, on his last night before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then gave them a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). Services on this night generally include the washing of feet or other acts of physical care as an integral part of the celebration. Each of the Maundy Thursday services will include the service Holy Communion. All are invited to participate in Communion, whether you are a member of this church or any church.
Good Friday, April 3
Service of Darkness - "Song of the Shadows" at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary
The Service of Darkness (also called "Tenebrae" in some traditions) is an ancient Christian Good Friday service that makes use of gradually diminishing light through the extinguishing of candles to symbolize the events of that week from the triumphant Palm Sunday entry through Jesus' burial. The word "tenebrae" comes from the Latin meaning "darkness." The increasing darkness in the service symbolizes the approaching darkness of Jesus' death and of hopelessness in the world without God. This year at FUMC Grapevine, the Chancel Choir and Orchestra will share a powerful musical experience that will help prepare you for the contrast of the joyful Easter Sunday.
Holy Saturday, April 4
The scripture is largely silent regarding what happened on the day after Jesus' death. On this last day before the resurrection, FUMC Grapevine will hold a Service of Healing and Wholeness at 6 p.m. in Founders Chapel. This serves as one final opportunity to reflect on the season of Lent before Easter is upon us. In the book of James 5:13, we read: “Are any of you suffering? Call the elders (members) of the community together, have them lay hands on you, and pray for you.” Whatever your need for wholeness - physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or relational - you are invited to come and let God begin a good work in you.
Easter Sunday, April 5
After experiencing the depth of emotion and Jesus's sacrifice during Holy Week, we invite you to celebrate a joyful resurrection Sunday! Worship services at FUMC Grapevine will include a sunrise service in the Grapevine Botanical Gardens and celebrations in English and Spanish. Here are the details:
- 7 a.m. Sunrise in the Grapevine Botanical Gardens
- 8:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary *
- 9 a.m. Praise & Worship in the Family Life Center
- 9:45 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary *
- 11 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary *
- 11 a.m. Bilingual (Spanish/English) in Founders Chapel
No Sunday School Easter Sunday
*The 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services in the Sanctuary will be identical in style and content, featuring the Chancel Choir and Orchestra.
First United Methodist Church in Grapevine worships in Downtown Grapevine at 422 Church Street, just one block west of Main Street. For more information about Holy Week, Easter and all of the ministries of the church, visit our website at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org.