SCRIPTURE: Mark 16:1-8 NIV 16:1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 16:2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 16:3 They had been…
It is Palm Sunday! We open the gates wide and enter Holy Week. We may think of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as a measured walk down the sanctuary aisle adorned with palm branches and orderly singing. BUT in reality the procession undoubtedly looked more like a pack of sports fans jostling for position to get through the gates and into the stadium for the main event. Palm branches waving? Of course! There were palm trees everywhere.
This service follows a pattern of scripture, characters, candle lighting and sung response in this service of deepening devotion.
1. A scripture passage introduces one of six characters close to Jesus.
2. A short, first-person reflection – in the words of that character – follows.
3. We pause to light a candle, in love, hope and faith.
4. Then, we sing, and move on.
We often remember Holy Week with a Tenebrae service of descending darkness. This year we choose to create a service of ascending devotion.
