A Holy Week
The word “holy” means “set apart.” It does not mean “better than,” “more Godly than,” or even “preferred.” It implies something different, uncommon, beyond the everyday. It also implies use, or usefulness.
We acknowledge and profess that God is holy. God is other than us, set apart from us, and yes, God is more Godly than us. God also comes to us in and as Jesus, who is also fully human. Very Godly, and very human.
Each Sunday we gather to worship God and to grow in faith, love, community, and service. We hear, usually, three Bible readings, one of which includes words from and about Jesus. And we are invited to God’s table to share in a meal by, with, and of Jesus. We call this meal “Holy Communion.” It is different from any other meal that we eat, alone or as a group. And just as we absorb the nutrients of anything we eat or drink, we leave God’s table with Jesus present within and among us.
Once a year we set apart an entire week to remember and experience the events of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, Last Supper, Passion (suffering), Death, and Resurrection. It’s a lot to take in, even stretched across a week. Alpine will observe and celebrate Holy Week by this schedule:
Palm Sunday, Sunday of the Passion, April 13th, 8 and 10 a.m.
Maundy Thursday, April 17th, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Good Friday, April 18th, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 20th, 8 and 10 a.m.
Woven among these worship gatherings will be, for many of us, gatherings with family and/or friends and other traditions. My hope and prayer for each of you is that as you experience this Holy Week you experience Jesus in a new, renewed, and renewing way. Hear the story fresh, and be open to God’s work in your lives. We worship Jesus Christ as our Living Lord. Holy Week is the climax of His story, and of history.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Don Wink