Join us as we journey with Jesus through the Easter Triduum (pronounced "tree do 'em"), an ancient three-day celebration of his death and resurrection: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil on Saturday, all followed by Easter Sunday.
We encourage you to fully participate in a journey together following Jesus through all of our Holy Week services. We see each of these services not as stand alone events, but as part of a holistic experience that more fully engages us in the story that shapes and defines our lives. This last week of Lent culminates on Easter Sunday.
Maundy Thursday Communion Service
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Passover meal, the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. Passover was an observance of God rescuing his people from slavery in Egypt. It was important for Jesus to celebrate this observance and point to the new covenant he would make with God's people, rescuing them from spiritual slavery to sin and death. On this night in Jesus' ministry he washed the feet of his disciples and instituted the Lord's Supper, which we celebrate weekly. In so doing, our servant King provided a means of grace and an example for us to follow. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin for “command.” Through our participation in these practices we reflect upon the new command of Jesus to, “Love each other as I have loved you.”
7:00 pm in the sanctuary
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
Good Friday reminds us of the darkness experienced by Christ before his resurrection on Easter morning. This darkness, and the extent of God’s love in overcoming the darkness for us, is marked by a “service of shadows” commemorating Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross for the sins of the world. A service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows,” has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Tenebrae is a prolonged meditation on Christ’s suffering. Scripture readings trace the story of Christ’s passion, music portrays his pathos, and the power of silence and darkness suggests the drama of this momentous day. As lights are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death; we remember the cataclysmic nature of his sacrifice as we hear the sound of the “strepitus”; and through the return of the small but persistent flame of the Christ candle at the conclusion of the service, we anticipate the joy of ultimate victory.
7:00 pm in the sanctuary
Holy Saturday Vigil
“He descended into hell.” - Apostles’ Creed
On Holy Saturday, we remember that God does not redeem from afar. The Word descended into our humanity and into the depths of human suffering, even into the very realm of death itself in order to set free its captives. On Holy Saturday we embrace the tension that there is life in the midst of death, because love Himself has dwelt in it. Join us for a short outdoor service of mourning, stillness, and expectation.
7:00 pm in the front courtyard
Easter Morning Breakfast Potluck
Ever since the gospel writers mention that the first witnesses to the empty tomb were there early in the morning, Christians have been gathering early on Easter morning to celebrate together. Join us for an Easter breakfast potluck at 8 AM - we'll read the account of that first Easter morning together, sing a few songs, celebrate and eat, and there will be an Easter egg hunt for the kids (9 AM). Bring a breakfast dish to share, especially something you've been fasting from during Lent. Coffee, tea, and mimosas provided.
8:30 am in the front courtyard
Easter Service
Easter Sunday is a celebration of the victory of God over sin and death through the resurrection of Jesus. Join us for the most important of all Christian celebrations! Following the service there will be a time of refreshments.
10:00 am in the sanctuary
Holy Week Resources
- Lectionary texts for each day
- Daily Holy Week prayers
- God's Big Easter Story: A Holy Week Journey for Families
- Prayer labyrinths to walk are available at United Methodist Church in Davis and at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Woodland