Holy Week and Easter at Manna
Palm Sunday
April 13 • Services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Palm Sunday precedes Easter by one week. Historically, it’s linked to the biblical entry of Jesus entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by people spreading palm leaves on the road before him. In Middle Eastern tradition, this practice was a sign of honor. Yet Palm Sunday – like many things about Jesus – is paradoxical. He was welcomed on Sunday, but crucified on Friday. Why the dramatic turnaround? The people of Jesus’ day were hoping for a military ruler to overthrow the Roman dictatorship that smothered their nation and culture. Jesus, however, came to bring a revolution in the hearts and minds of people, not to lead an army. But the story doesn’t end here. Learn more in Matthew 21:1-11.
Maundy Thursday Service
April 17, 6:30 p.m.
Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper and the institution of communion. At this event, he also washed his disciples’ feet and gave them a “new commandment” to love one another as Jesus had loved them. The word "maundy" stems from the Latin word translated "mandate." Maundy Thursday, then, is the day of the mandate Jesus gave his disciples to love one another through his striking visual example of servanthood. Maundy Thursday also metaphorically represents Jesus’ submission to service (death on a cross) followed by rising again in victory. In addition, we'll reflect on the Passover, a Jewish observance inaugurated in the Old Testament of the Bible. The elements of the Passover meal, called the Seder, point to Jesus' life, death and resurrection.
Good Friday Service
April 18, 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday is a remembrance of the day Jesus willingly died for the sins of the world through the brutal death of crucifixion. It is called "good" because the result of his death was the forgiveness of sins for all who believe. Jesus was also the first to be raised from the dead to eternal life, a pattern set for all who worship him. At this service, we'll participate in the Stations of the Cross, an element of worship that presents Jesus’ life, death and resurrection in a visual manor. It allows us to engage more of our senses and imagination than we do in a traditional teaching setting.
Easter Services
Sunday, April 20 • Services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Jesus’ first followers thought Good Friday was the end of the story. The man who had inspired and taught them had been executed. Distraught, they went into hiding. Although Jesus’ had told his followers he would overcome death, they never fully understood – until they found his grave empty. A massive stone had been removed, revealing a tomb with no one in it. What happened? According to Matthew 28, an angel of God provided the explanation: “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.” The Bible records that the risen, death-defying Jesus appeared to hundreds of people before ascending to Heaven. And yet, this still isn’t the end of the story. The Easter message is that we each get our own chapter to respond to what God has done through his son Jesus. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus paid the debt for all the wrongdoing of all people for all time. He took our punishment upon himself and offers forgiveness and eternal life to all of us who will personally receive it.
Because of Easter, God offers us a choice to embrace his love and forgiveness and to get a new start.
A person who trusts in Jesus “becomes a new person altogether –the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new because spiritual awakening brings a new life.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
April 13 • Services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Palm Sunday precedes Easter by one week. Historically, it’s linked to the biblical entry of Jesus entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by people spreading palm leaves on the road before him. In Middle Eastern tradition, this practice was a sign of honor. Yet Palm Sunday – like many things about Jesus – is paradoxical. He was welcomed on Sunday, but crucified on Friday. Why the dramatic turnaround? The people of Jesus’ day were hoping for a military ruler to overthrow the Roman dictatorship that smothered their nation and culture. Jesus, however, came to bring a revolution in the hearts and minds of people, not to lead an army. But the story doesn’t end here. Learn more in Matthew 21:1-11.
Maundy Thursday Service
April 17, 6:30 p.m.
Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper and the institution of communion. At this event, he also washed his disciples’ feet and gave them a “new commandment” to love one another as Jesus had loved them. The word "maundy" stems from the Latin word translated "mandate." Maundy Thursday, then, is the day of the mandate Jesus gave his disciples to love one another through his striking visual example of servanthood. Maundy Thursday also metaphorically represents Jesus’ submission to service (death on a cross) followed by rising again in victory. In addition, we'll reflect on the Passover, a Jewish observance inaugurated in the Old Testament of the Bible. The elements of the Passover meal, called the Seder, point to Jesus' life, death and resurrection.
Good Friday Service
April 18, 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday is a remembrance of the day Jesus willingly died for the sins of the world through the brutal death of crucifixion. It is called "good" because the result of his death was the forgiveness of sins for all who believe. Jesus was also the first to be raised from the dead to eternal life, a pattern set for all who worship him. At this service, we'll participate in the Stations of the Cross, an element of worship that presents Jesus’ life, death and resurrection in a visual manor. It allows us to engage more of our senses and imagination than we do in a traditional teaching setting.
Easter Services
Sunday, April 20 • Services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Jesus’ first followers thought Good Friday was the end of the story. The man who had inspired and taught them had been executed. Distraught, they went into hiding. Although Jesus’ had told his followers he would overcome death, they never fully understood – until they found his grave empty. A massive stone had been removed, revealing a tomb with no one in it. What happened? According to Matthew 28, an angel of God provided the explanation: “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.” The Bible records that the risen, death-defying Jesus appeared to hundreds of people before ascending to Heaven. And yet, this still isn’t the end of the story. The Easter message is that we each get our own chapter to respond to what God has done through his son Jesus. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus paid the debt for all the wrongdoing of all people for all time. He took our punishment upon himself and offers forgiveness and eternal life to all of us who will personally receive it.
- “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” – 1 Peter 3:18
- “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Because of Easter, God offers us a choice to embrace his love and forgiveness and to get a new start.
A person who trusts in Jesus “becomes a new person altogether –the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new because spiritual awakening brings a new life.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17