Holy Week {explained}

This explaination was in our church newsletter and I thought it was very informative and hope you do too!

Palm Sunday
The Sunday before Jesus was crucified, he made his final entry into Jerusalem, the home
of God's chosen people, the Jews. Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, fulfilling an
ancient prophesy, while the people laid down their cloaks and palm branches in front of
him, proclaiming him king. We will commemorate this day on April 5 by processing into
our morning worship services waving palm branches. You can read the story of Jesus'
triumphal entry in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.

Maundy Thursday
During his last week on earth, Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples over a meal
we call the Last Supper. During this meal Jesus asked God to bless the wine and bread,
and then gave it to his disciples saying, "This is my body, given for you. Do this in
remembrance of me... This wine is the token of God's new covenant to save you—an
agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you." Jesus was alluding to the
sacrifice he was about to make on the cross, offering himself as an atonement for our
sins, reconciling the world to God. We reenact this last supper every time we take
communion, remembering Jesus' sacrifice for each of us. 'Maundy' comes from the
Latin word mandatum, which means commandment. Maundy Thursday refers to the
commandment Jesus gave to his disciples—and us—to remember him through the
act of communion, which is exactly what we'll do during our Maundy Thursday service
on April 9 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. You can read about the last supper in Matthew
26:17-30, Mark 14:12-25, and Luke 22:7-20.

Good Friday
On Good Friday, it is common to fast, pray, repent, and meditate on the agony and
suffering of Christ on the cross. Good Friday often has a somber tone as we recall Jesus'
death, but it is called Good Friday for a reason! John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life. Jesus' death allows us to be victorious over death. Indeed, the
wage of sin is death, but through Jesus' sacrifice of his own sinless life for each of us,
we are no longer bound to death. Instead we are offered eternal life, and that is the
good news of Good Friday! Come hear about that good news on Friday, April 10 at
12 p.m. in the Sanctuary. You can read about Jesus' arrest, trial, and death in Matthew
26:47-27:66, Mark 14:43-15:47, Luke 22:47-23:56, and John 18:1-19:42.

Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus' resurrection, the event that shows his ultimate
power over death. Three days after his death on the cross, Jesus came back to life. And
because of his sacrifice to pay for our sins that once separated us from God, we are
now offered our own resurrection into a new life, an eternal life with God. We welcome
Easter Sunday with an Easter sunrise service on April 12 at 7 a.m. Watching the sun rise
as we worship reminds of us of Jesus rising from the dead. We also celebrate Easter
at our other regularly schedule services. You can read about Jesus' resurrection in
Matthew 28:1-28:20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-50, and John 20:1-23.