Holy Week 2025

First Baptist Church Celebrates Holy Week 2025

Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, is observed by Christians all over the world to remember the sacrifice of Jesus, as he chose to suffer alongside humanity, die by crucifixion, and be raised again (resurrection).

During the week, there are three main services that are observed: Palm Sunday (remembering Jesus’s “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem the week before his death), Maundy Thursday / Tenebrae  (remembering Jesus’s last meal with his disciples – Communion, followed by a “Service of Darkness” that remembers the death of Jesus on the cross by reading the narrative of the Passion), and Easter Sunday (remembering Jesus’s resurrection from the dead, conquering death and offering salvation to the world).

Schedule of Services and Events

 

Palm Sunday, April 13th

 41st Annual Ecumenical “Palm Sunday in the Park” Service, 9:00 a.m., J. Frank Wilson Park (behind the church)

A shared outdoor service with other churches in the City to remember Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Rain location: First Presbyterian Church)

Palm Sunday Service, 11:00 a.m., FBC Sanctuary

 Also streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom Call-In

Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. The blessing and procession of palms reenacts the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

      Prayer Stations of the Cross- Tuesday, April 15th, First Baptist Chapel

Prayer stations are based on Jesus’ last week leading up to his death on the cross. Walk through prayer stations at your own pace.  This service is open to the community and Communion will be served during each time slot by one of FBC’s ministers. There will be 3 times during the day to attend. Please use the Chapel entrance.

Drop in anytime between:  7:00 am-9:00 am, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 pm, and 5:00 pm -7:00 pm

 

Maundy Thursday/Tenebrae Service, Thursday, April 17th at 6:00 p.m., Chatham Heights Baptist Sanctuary

Shared Service with Chatham Heights Baptist Church and Starling Avenue Baptist Church

Also Streaming on CHBC Facebook 

The English word “Maundy” for this service is derived through Middle English and Old French mandé, from the Latin mandatum (also the origin of the English word “mandate”), the first word of the phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” or “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” On Maundy Thursday, we commemorate Jesus’ last meal with his disciples before his crucifixion: remembering how he taught his disciples to be servants to one another through the washing of feet and remembering Jesus’ command to the disciples to love one another.

The Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows,” dates from medieval times. In our observance, scripture, song, and silence lead us in a prolonged meditation on the events of salvation following the Last Supper through the entombment of Christ. With each progressive step of the Passion, the candles are extinguished until only the one Christ candle remains. When it, too, is removed from sight, we ponder the apparent victory of the forces of evil at the moment of Christ’s death. The Christ candle returns with its ray of promise for the third day.

 

Easter Sunday, April 20th

Easter Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Service 11:00 a.m., First Baptist Church Sanctuary

Also streaming on Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom Call-In

Join us as we celebrate the Risen Christ!