HOLY WEEK

The celebration of Holy Week and Easter marks the earliest and most important festival of the church year.

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil, which actually form one celebration, stretching from sunset Thursday to sundown Saturday. This celebration is also called the Triduum, which literally means "the three days." Together, the three services celebrate both Christ's death on the cross and Christ's resurrection from the dead. 

We invite you to join us for these ancient liturgies which still speak with power today.

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, Christians mark Jesus’ triumphal entry into the holy city of Jerusalem to complete the work of our salvation. Palm branches and shouts of joy change to a consideration of Jesus’ death on the cross, where this story leads in the upcoming services of the week.

Worship services at both campuses, 9:00 & 10:30 a.m. Livestream from Austin at 10:30 a.m.

Maundy Thursday

On Maundy Thursday, we hear the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet from the Gospel of John, revealing Christ's true mission on Earth as servant and our identity as Christians in service of others. The service has no benediction; instead, the congregation watches as the altar is stripped in preparation for Good Friday, when the service continues.   

Worship in the Far Hills sanctuary at 7 p.m. (livestream)

Good Friday

On Good Friday the service begins without a greeting; it picks up where the congregation left off the night before. The congregation watches as the light grows steadily dimmer, meditating on the words of Christ and the cross that he bore. Worshipers leave in darkness and silence, waiting to return at the Easter Vigil the following evening.

Worship in the Far Hills sanctuary at noon and 7 p.m. (evening livestream)

Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil begins outside, as the Paschal Candle is lit from a new fire. This candle represents the presence of the resurrected Christ, and worshipers process behind it into a candlelit space for the service of readings from the Old Testament. These stories of God’s saving mercy throughout the generations lead worshipers to a return to the waters by which we are saved, in a service of renewal of baptismal vows. The procession reaches its climax in the sanctuary where darkness turns to light and silence to joy as the congregation proclaims, “Christ is risen!” The Triduum concludes with the first resurrection Gospel and the celebration of Holy Communion.

Worship at Austin Campus, 7 p.m. (approximately 90 minutes)

Easter Sunday

Christ Is Risen!

Bring cut flowers for a special Flowering of the Cross at both campuses.

Worship services at 9:00 & 10:30 a.m. Livestream from Far Hills at 10:30 a.m.