First Baptist Church Celebrates Holy Week 2023
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 First Baptist Church observes: 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), Good Friday / Tenebrae (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 Service, April 2nd at 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 Service, April 6th at 7:00 p.m., FBC Sanctuary
Shared Service with Chatham Heights Baptist Church
Also Streamed on 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.
Good Friday Service – Stations of the Cross, April 7th at 7:00 p.m., Chatham Heights Baptist Church Sanctuary
Shared Service with Chatham Heights Baptist church
Streamed on CHBC Facebook
From the earliest days of the church, Christians have journeyed to Jerusalem to retrace the path Jesus took as he carried his cross from Pilate’s house to Golgotha. This path has become known as the Via Dolorosa or “Way of Sorrow” St. Jerome (325-420CE) who translated the Bible into Latin wrote of hundreds of pilgrims in Jerusalem who walked this devotional path in his day. Markers were put into place where Jesus started, received the cross, stopped and fell, met his mother, and was assisted by Simon of Cyrene. These stations are routinely walked and meditated upon during Lent and especially during Holy Week. Our lives are about following the Way of Christ, including the taking up of our own crosses. The Stations of the Cross trace Jesus’ path from Pilate’s house to Golgotha to his tomb. The stations provide space for worshipers to reflect on the passion of Christ, from the moment of his condemnation to his body being laid rest in the tomb. The image of what’s happening in each station, the meditation on the scriptural narrative, and the prayers uttered, create a spiritual environment that will provide a special place to experience the power and sorrow of the week leading to a joyous resurrection on Easter morning.
Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 8th at 10:00 a.m. (rain date: Sunday, April 9th at 3:00 p.m.)
The FBC & FBC ELC Easter Egg Hunt will start at 10:15 a.m. in two locations: one for younger, and one for older children. Age range for the hunts will be 2-4 years old and 5-10 years old. Afterwards we will interact with the Easter story while children complete an age-appropriate craft, we will have photos with the Easter Bunny, there will be sidewalk chalk and bubble fun, and we will host a hotdog lunch beginning at 11AM. Click here for more info…
Easter Sunday, April 9th
Early Service at 8:30 a.m., Keesee Terrace (followed by Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00 a.m.)
Service 11:00 a.m., First Baptist Church Sanctuary
Also streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom Call-In
Join us as we celebrate the Risen Christ!