This year we will have a pot luck supper/simple worship service for Holy Thursday.  Every year this congregation has a morning Good Friday service, a sunrise Easter service (at 6:10 am this year so the service can finish with sunrise at close to 6:30 am), and a regular Sunday service.  The previous minister had a simple communion service each of the other evenings during Holy Week, and I have decided to do the same thing this year.  The meal/service on Holy Thursday creates a physical connection to the Last Supper and the rest of the story of Jesus.  My preference is for an evening Good Friday service.  The sunrise service always feels special -- sometimes remarkable events happen. (not supernatural -- just sweet coincidences)

We will celebrate

Palm Sunday,

Maunday Thursday

Good Friday

Sunrise Easter followed by breakfast

Quiet communion (communion without hymns)

Easter Sunday Services

 

Our minister generally preaches an Easter-themed sermon. Even though we are not Christian, we do acknowledge the basic theme of renewal and new life that is implicit in the story. That said, I'll often go to a United Church for Easter since I do find meaning in the story.

 

We try an early Easter service once (I went) where it was more explicitly focussed on the Easter story (even sang "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" IIRC) but it did not go over well so has not been repeated in recent years that I can recall.

 

Mendalla

 

Mendalla, I aalways wanted to ask if you had to sign a form to say you aren't Christian. Were there other questions on it. Do you carry it with your birth cert. Just joshing you.

 

On forms I put that I am Unitarian Universalist and let them figure out what the *bleep* that means.

 

Mendalla

 

 

smile

This year we're having a Good Friday service, and an Easter service. The Good Friday service will include Communion, and be followed by a potluck lunch. I will be preaching. I am praying and hoping that my church community will grow spiritually during this week of special reflection.

jae, post your sermon, please

 

Really, crazyheart, you want to hear me preach? I'm honored.

 

My church has a youtube channel that it may be posted onto.

 

I'll send you the link if it becomes available.

I have never had the opportunity to preach at Easter or Christmas and I have sermons in mind for both. *sigh* Someday.

 

If it does go up, post the link in a thread, Jae. I'm sure others here would like to hear it, too. I want to see if my fellowship will let me post my last sermon, but so far we've kept our service videos stashed away in a private FB group so I'm not sure it will be allowed.

 

Mendalla

 

Why are they private, Mandalla?

Aside to Mendalla - not wanting  to derail - you might be interested to see that the Encounter World Religions Centre actually includes UU in it's info pages!  http://www.worldreligions.ca/index.php/resources/overviews

To the original question - at our church we have services on Good Friday, then Easter sunrise at a nearby park on the shore of Lake Ontario, and later Easter morning service - usually filled with great music & special guests. 

 

Privacy concerns, which I can understand for, say, the children's time. But if a speaker wants their sermon made public, I am hoping the board will see its way to okay that. 

 

Mendalla

 

In Holy Week our church has the following services.

 

Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday (along with communion by intinction) - in the evening

Good Friday - in the morning

Easter Sunday - early service 9:30 a.m. (replaces sunrise service) with a breakfast following and then the regular service at 11:00 a.m.

 

We have had some very meaningful Holy Week services where you could see the work and thought that had gone into the preparation to make them so, with a lot of imagery, and even congregant participation, and some that were not as elaborately prepared, but you had to find meaning in a word, or a prayer, or a hymn.

 

After an active Lent season (I've been leading a series on compassion in the weeknight evening group and the minister has worked her way through Crossan & Borg's The Last Week in her sermons), our Holy Week services comprise:

 

Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday: an afternoon communion service primarily aimed at seniors; a Seder supper, followed by a Maundy Thursday service where the sanctuary is stripped; and an all-night vigil in the sanctuary)

Good Friday (in conjuction with a nearby two-point rural congregation)

Easter Sunday sunrise at the Lake side (well, 7 a.m. is 'our' sunrise...) - a joint effort of the five City United churches followed by breakfast at the 'original'/oldest one.

Easter Sunday (at which, strangely, I'll arrive 'dressed up' - in a sari or shalwar kameez and fancy sandals & jewellery - the ONLY time in a year I do this.)

 

I think one of the more sacred things about Holy Week, for me, is that it ties me very firmly and lovingly to our Jewish roots, which have some deep personal meanings in my life. The 'week-long' , contemplative aspect always holds a feeling of the Yom Kippur period for me, the Seder reminds me of the Jewish roots of communion.

 

Palm Sunday . . .

 

Palm branches waving, hosannas ringing - joy, celebration, hope, praise, adoration . . .

 

What are the thoughts and feelings this particular story found in the Bible arise in you?  Does/can the story teach you anything - about yourself, about life, about God?

 

I like the celebratory story of Palm Sunday with Jesus entering Jerusalem, people, especially children waving palm branches to show their respect.   Jesus, now recognized as the true spiritual leader rides a donkey colt, an animal of peace.

 

I don't like the Passion - the betrayal, eventual beatings and death of Jesus.  To me these demonstrate the worst traits of humanity.

 

While I don't believe in a literal resurrection, Easter Sunday is more joyous and provides the hope we can move forward to a better world, a renewal and a promise each year.  What we do with that opportunity is up to us.

 

I love the hymn "Joy Comes With The Dawn".  Always hope we get to sing it Easter morning because it symbolizes that joy can overcome our worst sorrow, and that the Grace of God is ever-present.

 

 

N.T. Wright on the resurrection. It's a pretty critical part of understanding the point of Jesus.

 

 

Regardless of how you actually interpret the stories of The Passion and Resurrection (literally, metaphorically, or other), that cycle of events/stories provides the central image of the Christian tradition. Engaging with Jesus means coming to terms with them on some level.

 

Mendalla

 

How do you interpret John 14:12-20? To me it describes a resurrected 'body' composed of the faithful, but it is not the sort of literal description that many churches/ theologians teach. It's an acceptance that Christ is within us and among us- common people- and with faith we can do good things to change the world, but if we miss recognizing it while we're waiting for something magic to happen, it might not- it might pass us by and leave nothing for our grandchildren. It truly would be a miracle if people came together- practicing justice, mercy and humbleness, as we were intended to- and changed the world in the present time, to a peaceful one, wouldn't it? After 1000s of years of war and corruption and harm to one another, why would that not be enough of a miracle? What better could we ask for? The home humanity was given is a beautiful place. It just needs some restoration, and opportunity to heal.

I like how you put that, Mendalla.