What's Up This Week - Holy Week 2012

During Holy Week, we remember Jesus' confrontation with the power structure in Jerusalem, his last supper with the disciples, his arrest and death, and the shocking realization by the disciples that he had gone through and past death into a new and different, vibrant, victorious life.  We talk about it all kinds of ways: the churchy language is "resurrection."  I like to think that in the power and love of God, even death is overcome -- and not only for Jesus, but for us.

That's the message of Easter.  During this week, we meditate on the central themes of Christianity:

Palm Sunday - with the procession of palms and the remembrance of Jesus' street theatre in contrast to the power play of Roman troops coming into the city of Jerusalem for the Passover festival.  Our service: 10AM.   (As part of that service, for those who cannot be at a service during the week, we read the story of Jesus' trial and death.)




Maundy Thursday - remembering his command to us to serve one another - "Maundy" from the same Latin root as mandate - and the the last supper.  Our services: 12 noon, 7:30 PM.   The evening service ends on a grim note, as we strip the sanctuary of all color and ornaments, anticipating the barren feeling of Good Friday.




Good Friday - remembering his trial and execution by the Roman Imperial authority. Our services: 12 noon, 7:30 PM, and a children's interactive stations of the cross at 3 PM.  
During this week, it is essential that we realize that "the Jews" didn't kill Jesus; the Roman government acted, at the request of the most powerful clergy and laity in Jerusalem.  Using language from Occupy, it was the 1% that wanted to silence him and his message about the love of God and the call to live generously.

EASTER Sunday, with a joyous celebration of Jesus' new life, and the power and love of God which we see in action. Our service: 10 AM.  We will be talking about what new life looks like, and how eternal life stretches into this life, changing everything.