Redeemer Family,

Good afternoon! Holy Week is nearly upon us. I want to take a few minutes to explain what it will be like to participate in the most important days of the year together. Please, if you can, read the following in its entirety.

PALM SUNDAY | March 24

The first day of Holy Week and the day that we remember Christ’s triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem (recorded in all four Gospel accounts: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-38, and John 12:12-15). That morning, we will begin outside, on the sidewalk along Arthur Ashe Boulevard, before we process into the sanctuary waving palm branches and singing. Now, this concept isn’t a new or creative idea. It is, in fact, a very old tradition.

So why are we doing this? There are at least three good reasons (and I’m sure many more):

It connects us to our history: By waving palm branches, singing, and processing together - we will do something with our bodies in the present that connects us to the people of God in the past. We are joined with Christian brothers and sisters from ages past, as well as with the first century citizens of Jerusalem who welcomed Jesus into their city.
It is formative for our young children (and for adults): Few things help young children (or adults for that matter) understand a story better than acting it out together. We want more than intellectual assent to the teaching of scripture, we want to receive, embody, and extend the good news of what Christ has done for us. This is why we kneel, stand, sing, eat the bread, drink the wine, and - yes - wave the palms!
It is an act of public worship: In our secular, materialist age, there are very few opportunities for acts of public worship and devotion to Christ. No doubt, as many of us adults walk down Arthur Ashe Boulevard, we will feel very silly. If that describes you, don’t worry, you’re in good company. We will all feel the strangeness of publicly worshiping Christ in the midst of neighbors who think we are lunatics. But this is not a bad thing - for us or for our neighbors. It’s good for us because it presents us with a very real opportunity to be courageous. It’s good for our neighbors because our worship serves as a reminder that, no matter what the zeitgeist of our time may say, there are real men and women and children who are continuing to find life in Christ Jesus.

So, dear friends, this Sunday morning, come ready to do a new thing, which is a very old thing, and to do a strange thing, which is a very good thing. We will wave palm branches, and sing, and walk and declare together that, minority though we be, there is still hope to be found only in the Lord Jesus.

STATIONS ON BOULEVARD

On Monday-Wednesday from 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Thursday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the 14 Stations of the Cross will be posted along Arthur Ashe Boulevard. I encourage you to set aside 30-45 minutes of time to stop by, and spend time praying and contemplating each station. A digital guidebook will be available at the installation to lead you through this exercise.

MAUNDY THURSDAY | March 28

The Paschal mystery - the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - is at the heart of the Christian Gospel. The evening of Maundy Thursday begins the Triduum (the sacred three days). Maundy Thursday receives its name from the maudatum (commandment) given by our Lord: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another (John 13:34). At the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples' feet and commanded them to love one another as he had done. This day commemorates the Lord’s example of servant ministry, the institution of the Eucharist, the agony of the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal leading to the crucifixion.

Services are at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Will Clark, our CCO College minister to VCU will preach at 5:00 p.m. and Tee Feyrer, one of our CCO College ministers to University of Richmond will preach at 7:00 p.m.
No Nursery or Kid’s ministry. Kids are invited to fully participate in all parts of the service.
Remember to wear sandals or slip-off shoes (to facilitate the foot-washing portion of the service).

GOOD FRIDAY | March 29

The Good Friday liturgy is the second part of the Triduum. This most somber of all days is appropriately marked by fasting, abstinence, and penitence, leading us to focus on Jesus and the meaning of his Cross. Some churches do not use musical instruments or bells on this day. The church is often darkened. The bare, stark appearance of the church serves as a reminder of the solemnity and sorrow of the day. The Lord of Life was rejected, mocked, scourged, and then put to death on the Cross. The faithful are reminded of the role which their own sin played in this suffering and agony, as Christ took all sin upon himself, in obedience to the Father’s will. By the Cross we are redeemed, set free from bondage to sin and death. The Cross is a sign of God’s never-ending love for us. It is a sign of life, in the midst of death.

Services are at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Oldson Duclos, our Director of Community Formation, will preach at both the 5:00 p.m. and the 7:00 p.m. services.
No nursery or children’s ministry. Kids are invited to fully participate in all parts of the service.
Remember to wear black or gray clothing.

HOLY SATURDAY

This is a day of quiet contemplation. It is important not to start the Easter celebration and feasting too early. Consider eating simple foods and refraining from entertainment. Perhaps, in the morning or the evening, consider praying:

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

EASTER SUNDAY | March 31

As the third day dawns, we celebrate the bodily resurrection of our Lord from the dead!

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The church will resound with the ringing of bells, shouts of praise, and songs of joy! This is a dual sacrament service: with both Baptisms and Eucharist.

There are three identical services: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. (But only the 9:00 a.m and 11:00 a.m. provide nursery and children’s ministry).
If you are able to attend the 7:00 a.m. service, please do so! We will likely run out of space at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.. By worshiping at the sunrise service, you show hospitality to visitors who will likely attend the later two.
There will be coffee, juice, and donuts across the street near the VMFA sculpture garden after all three services. Stay for a while and enjoy the after-party!

Redeemer family, I love you all and I’m so grateful that we get to walk through this week together. I hope and pray that our observance, practice, and worship through these services forms the Gospel more deeply within us so that we might be more missionally present to our families, neighbors, and city.

In the Father’s love,