First Baptist Church Celebrates Holy Week 2026
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 four main services that are observed: Palm Sunday (remembering Jesus’s “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem the week before his death), Maundy Thursday, (remembering Jesus’s last meal with his disciples) – Communion, then Stations of the Cross (consisting of key scenes meditating on Christ’s passion, death, and burial), 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, March 29th
Palm Sunday, March 29th42nd 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.
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
Maundy Thursday, April 2nd at 6:00 p.m., First Baptist Church Sanctuary
Maundy Thursday, April 2nd at 6:00 p.m., First Baptist Church SanctuaryShared Service with Chatham Heights Baptist Church, Starling Avenue Baptist Church, and St. Cleophas Outreach Ministry
Also Streaming on FBC Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom Call-in
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.
Stations of the Cross Service, April 3rd at 6:00 p.m., Chatham Heights Baptist Church Sanctuary
Shared Service with Chatham Heights Baptist Church, Starling Avenue Baptist Church, and St Cleophas Outreach Ministry
Stations of the Cross consist of key scenes meditating on Christ’s passion, death, and burial.
Easter Sunday, April 5th
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!