Holy Week is the last week of Lent before Easter, beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday. Holy Week is the part of the Church Year where Jesus’ final moments are commemorated. This year, it begins on Sunday, April 17th.

Palm Sunday: On the sixth Sunday of Lent we commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Worship services include blessing of the palms and a procession. Some traditions call this Sunday before Easter “Passion Sunday.” Others call it “Fig Sunday.” St. John’s MCC celebrates it with Jubilation Worship at 8:45 am and Celebration Worship at 11:00 am. On Palm Sunday, St. John’s MCC will receive a special offering at both morning services to help provide humanitarian relief for the victims of Japan’s earthquake, tsunami, and reactor disasters.

Great and Holy Tuesday: On Great and Holy Tuesday evening at 6:30, our congregation will gather together in our Sanctuary to watch The Passion of the Christ, a film directed and produced by Mel Gibson about the last hours of Jesus’s life. All of the dialogue is in the ancient languages Aramaic and Latin; the initial theatrical release didn't even have subtitles. Much of it is based on the Bible, detailing what happened during Jesus’ last hours. A brief discussion will follow the showing of this film.

Spy Wednesday: This is an old and uncommon name for the Wednesday of Holy Week, which commemorates Judas’ agreement to betray Jesus (see Matthew 26:3-5, 14-16).

Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday): The name “Maundy Thursday” comes from Jesus “mandate” to love one another as he loves us. This day celebrates Jesus’ institution of the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and is also known as “Shear Thursday” by some. At St. John’s MCC’s 7:00 pm observance of Maundy Thursday, we commemorate the last supper that Jesus ate with the disciples.

Good Friday: St. John’s MCC remembers Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross at a service on Good Friday. Worship at 7:00 pm includes a dramatic retelling of the Passion story - reading excerpts of the story of the crucifixion and death of Jesus from John’s gospel, the Veneration of the Cross, and the singing of hymns of the Cross.

Holy Saturday: This is the final day of Holy Week. There are few specific customs associated with Holy Saturday, except that it is the final night before the Feast of the Resurrection, which begins at the Great Easter Vigil. The Sanctuary will be open for those who want to pray from 4:00 pm – 12:00 midnight. An Easter Vigil Prayer Service will begin at 7:00 pm.

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Easter with St. John’s MCC

We invite you to participate in the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ with St. John’s MCC on Sunday, April 24th.

• Easter Sunrise Service at 6:00 am starting in the Sanctuary. Gather at 5:45 am.
• Then join us for the Easter Sunrise Breakfast immediately following the Sunrise Service in the Friendship Hall.
• Easter Jubilation Worship at 8:45 am. (Topics at Ten will not meet on Easter Sunday.)
• Easter Celebration Worship starting at 11:00 am.

On Easter Sunday, St. John’s MCC will receive a special offering at all three morning services to help provide humanitarian relief for the victims of Japan’s earthquake, tsunami, and reactor disasters.

You loved them when they sang a Concert for us last year. You wanted more. Mel, Dave, and James will return to help St. John’s MCC celebrate our 35th anniversary of the founding of our church. Featuring songs from their album, “Shine,” Canaan will sing a concert for us on Saturday evening, March 5th, beginning at 7:00 in our Sanctuary. Then they will stay overnight to sing a few songs for us during the 11:00 am Celebration Worship service on Sunday.

To help you remember them, be sure to re-view some of the videos from their last concert that are available on our website by clicking here. You can get the very latest info about Canaan at their website, CanaanBand.com.

What would an Anniversary Celebration be without food?

Of course, we’re also having a Potluck Lunch immediately following the 11:00 Celebration Worship service. That means we will bring our favorite dishes to share will everybody who comes. Everybody – even YOU – are invited!

If you would like to make donations for this event, please mark your offering accordingly or contact David Ray.

If you would like to help with any of the festivities, please get up with Scott Driver or Tara Marten (Potluck and fellowship opportunities) or Richard Haas or Will Robinson (Concert and worship services). We would like to hear from you by February 27th.

More Details Coming Soon!

There is a lot happening on our Anniversary weekend, and you’ll hear much more about it in the coming weeks. Don’t plan anything else for that weekend!

The beginning of the liturgical season of Lent marks a time of reflection. As we prepare to remember the events of Holy Week, Ash Wednesday marks a time when we can pause in our busy schedules to begin that period of reflection.

This year, we will gather at St. John’s MCC on Wednesday, March 9th at 7:00 pm for our Ash Wednesday Service. Like many congregations, the service will be simple – featuring the imposition of ashes that were made by burning the palm leaves used during last year’s Palm Sunday worship. Palm Sunday, of course, marks the beginning of Holy Week – culminated by Easter.

You are invited to join us in this meaningful worship experience in our Sanctuary.