HOLY WEEK 2025
Holy Week Schedule 2025
The season of Lent starts with Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. Palm/Passion Sunday kicks of Holy Week. See below for Lent & Holy Week worship services and events.
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 5
We begin the sacred season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday services on March 5. Lent is the season that invites all Christians to deepen their faith, toward toward God's grace, and engage in acts of mercy and justice. As we reflect on how true restoration begins with repentance, justice, and renewal, come for a time of prayer, reflection, and the imposition of ashes as we journey together toward healing and hope. We have several opportunities for you to worship on Ash Wednesday.
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Imposition of Ashes (Drive-by) | 8-8:45 am, 11 am-1 pm, and 3-4 pm | North Parking Lot
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Evening Worship and Imposition of Ashes | 7-8 pm | Sanctuary
Palm/Passion Sunday
Sunday, April 13
Palm/Passion Sunday is a special day that combines the celebrations of Palm Sunday and the solemness of Jesus' passion and death. It is also the beginning of Holy Week, leading to Easter Sunday. Children are invited to meet Ms. Betsy and Ms. Macy outside the Great Hall by 8:30 am or in the PreK hallway to the Sanctuary by 10:45 am to participate in the Palm parade! The Children's Choir will sing during worship at both services.
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 17
Maundy Thursday is traditionally a time to remember the Last Supper, and at First Church we do that with a service centered around and inspired by the Passover. Our service includes fellowship, a meal, remembrance, worship, and Holy Communion. We will break bread together with a casual potluck meal at 6 in the Great Hall, with worship at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. Families are invited to eat and worship together - nursery/childcare will not be available. There is no sign up for the meal, just bring whatever dish you would like to share with others.
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Potluck Meal | 6-7 pm | Great Hall
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Evening Worship | 7-8 pm | Sanctuary
Good Friday
Friday, April 18
On Good Friday, as we remember and reflect on the death of Jesus, our Chancel Choir and Orchestra lead us in a unique musical worship service featuring works from various musical eras. In 2025, we are learning more about God's story through history and how we are all part of that story. The Good Friday service continues that theme with music that recounts the death of Jesus through different perspectives - from Old Testament prophecy, through the eyes of Jesus' mother, Mary, and from Jesus himself. The musical offerings were composed across centuries - from 1572 to 2016, and in four different countries - Spain, Germany, Austria, and the United States.
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Evening Worship | 7-8 pm | Sanctuary
Family Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19
Bring your basket and invite a friend - we're excited to celebrate Easter with you the morning of April 19! Our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Picnic is for all children from birth through 6th grade and their families. Check-in begins at 11 am in the west parking lot, and the hunt starts at 11:30. There are plenty of Easter activities to enjoy before and after the hunt, and your family is invited for a lunch of hotdog, chips, and fruit.
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Check-In Opens | 11 am | West Parking Lot
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Egg Hunt (by grade level) | 11:30 am | West Parking Lot
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 20
Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life on Easter Sunday. As we reflect on how Jesus' story transforms our lives, bringing restoration and renewal, we find the hope we need in our risen Lord. Jesus' work in us shapes stories worth sharing - stories that inspire, heal, and reveal God's grace in our lives. Nursery care is available for infants-PreK at both services.
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Easter Worship | 8:45 am | Sanctuary
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Easter Worship | 11 am | Sanctuary
Participate in God's story
Opportunities to Serve During Lent
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March 5 | Cloud Covered Streets | 8:30-11:30 am | 407 N. Mesquite Building
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March 7 | First Fridays | 5-9 pm | MinistrySafe certification required
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March 15 | Neighborhood Clean Up Day | 9 am-1 pm | Meet in the church parking lot
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March 19 | Cloud Covered Streets | 8:30-11:30 am | 407 N. Mesquite Building
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March 29 | Spring Cleaning Day | 9 am- 1 pm | 407 N. Mesquite Building
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April 2 | Cloud Covered Streets | 8:30-11:30 am | 407 N. Mesquite Building
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April 4 | First Fridays | 5-9 pm | MinistrySafe certification required
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April 5 | Youth Spaghetti Supper | 5-9 pm | Great Hall
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April 12 | Family Egg Hunt & Picnic | 11 am-1 pm | West Parking Lot
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April 16 | Cloud Covered Streets | 8:30-11:30 am | 407 N. Mesquite Buidling
Items to Collect/Donate
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Toothbrushes
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Rain ponchos
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Sunscreen
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Bug spray
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Antibiotic ointment
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Hand sanitizer
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Small hand cream
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Umbrellas
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Tarps
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Bungee Cords
lenten studies
Lenten Sunday School with Pastor Madison
Starts Sunday, March 9 | 10-10:45 am | Great Hall
As we head into the season of Lent, perhaps you want to learn more about this important time in our church calendar. Pastor Madison leads a series of special lessons for Sunday School during Lent titled "The Body and The Blood." These lessons explore how we, as United Methodists, narrate the story of the cross.
March 9: What Did the Cross Accomplish? - An Overview of Atonement Theologies and John Wesley's Interpretation
March 16: Did Jesus Really Have to Die? - Notions of Sin, Salvation, and the Necessity of Violence
March 23: What Does the Cross Symbolize? - Notions of Terror, Trauma, and the Glorification of Suffering
March 30: What is My Cross to Bear? - Notions of Guilt, Shame, Love, and Self-Sacrifice
April 6: Professor Pop-Up with Dr. Natalya Cherry from Brite Divinity School
April 13: Were You There? - A New Way of Experiencing Holy Week and Seeing Yourself in the Story
Lenten Study with Pastor Kay
Starts Tuesday, March 11 | 2-3 pm | Room 154
This Lent, ponder the themes of justice, poverty, freedom, and love. Each Gospel offers a different lens through which we understand Jesus' Passion. One portrait reveals Jesus to be in control, while another emphasizes His suffering. In one story, Jesus offers hope to the thief on the cross, and in another, Jesus only receives derision. These different perspectives aren't a reason to dismiss the Gospels; rather, they reveal an abundant, diverse, and complementary picture of God's work in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Lenten Study with Loni Fancher
Starts Wednesday, March 12 | 1-2 OR 6-7 pm | The Underground
As we walk through the weeks of Lent, we will explore the power of sharing our faith stories, reflecting on how God has worked in our lives and how those stories can encourage, inspire, and connect us with others. How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from the Moth is a practical guide on how to craft, share, and engage others with meaningful and authentic stories. This Lenten book study will focus on how to tell your own personal faith story - learning how to speak about your experiences of God's presence in your life with authenticity and impact.