Holy Week

March 29-April 5

We are excited to invite you to participate in all of our Holy Week Services. This is our most important week together as a church family, and each service is unique and meaningful. These services offer a wonderful opportunity to enter the final week of Jesus' life and be powerfully reminded of and changed by Jesus' death and resurrection. Carefully plan your week so you can be with us as much as possible, and please invite family and friends.

Jump to Holy Week Events:

• Palm Sunday, March 29

• Maundy Thursday, April 2

• Good Friday, April 3

• Holy Saturday, April 4

  • Easter Carnival, 9:30am

  • Easter Vigil, 4:30pm & 7pm

• Easter Sunday, April 5

Holy Week begins with this celebration of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We start the service outside (or downstairs if the weather doesn’t cooperate) with the Blessing of the Palms and then process together into the sanctuary. Arrive a few minutes earlier than usual to find your place.

In this service, we celebrate Christ’s last night with his disciples through scripture, music, prayers, a sermon, optional foot-washing, and the celebration of the Eucharist. (coming soon)

All-Night Prayer Watch | 9:00 pm - 9:00 am

An all-night Prayer Watch will be kept after this service in the church sanctuary until 9:00 am on Good Friday. Click here to sign up for an hour-long prayer time slot in the sanctuary. (You may also sign up in the Gathering Space.) A brief service of morning prayer at 9:00 am will conclude the prayer watch.

Click here for a Prayer Guide for the All-Night Prayer Watch. (link coming soon)

Morning Prayer | 9:00 am

The Maundy Thursday Prayer Watch concludes with this brief service of Scripture readings and prayer.

Stations of the Cross Service | 12:00 pm (Noon)

In our traditional service of prayer and reflection, we meditate upon the chief scenes of Jesus’ sufferings and death, moving throughout the sanctuary, pausing at each station and cross. You may proceed through the stations by yourself at any time between 1pm and 5pm, or join with others at Noon.

Clergy Prayer Appointments | 2-4 pm

Clergy will be available to pray with members of the congregation in person on Good Friday. This can be for a time of confidential confession (which is traditionally done on Good Friday) or for any other prayer needs.

Please click here to sign up for prayer.

The Good Friday service focuses on Christ’s passion and death for us on the cross. It is a somber service, but also one of hope as we remember what Jesus accomplished for us. It includes readings, prayers, music, and a reflection on the cross of Christ. (coming soon)

Good Friday Offering | Give Online (coming soon)

Each year, Church of the Cross designates a Good Friday offering during Lent as we look toward Easter. This offering is a special one taken on and around Good Friday as a way of giving particular support to one mission or cause close to our hearts. This Good Friday, our offering will partner with Good Shepherd India to provide immediate medical care, legal aid for falsely arrested pastors, and emergency relief for families in crisis. India is currently seeing a historic surge in violence against Christians, with many pastors, women, children, and families facing physical attacks, displacement, destruction of their property, harassment, and generalized terror. Your gift ensures our brothers and sisters aren’t standing alone in their darkest hour.

Easter Carnival & Egg Hunt | 9:30 am - 11 am

Kids of all ages are welcome to attend this free, community-wide event with their parents or guardians. You’ll have a blast with your kids playing games, meeting the neighbors, and enjoying complimentary coffee and breakfast treats. Several carnival games will be available in the parking lot for kids of all ages. The egg hunt is for children ages five and younger, taking place on the front lawn from 10 to 10:30am.

Click "Going" on our Facebook Event (coming soon) if you plan to attend, and share the invite with your friends. (Note: This event is weather permitting and may be canceled due to inclement weather.)

Since the first centuries of the Church, the Vigil has marked the beginning of Easter with baptisms, renewal of baptismal vows, and celebration of the Eucharist. But first, the Vigil powerfully retells the story of salvation history beginning with creation, continuing with God’s covenant with the Israelites, and reaching a climax in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. In this service, we remember God’s past work and eternal faithfulness. For the first time since Lent began, we proclaim Alleluia together as a congregation–a moment that is marked by the ringing of bells, keys, etc. (Please bring bells.) (coming soon.)

The 4:30pm service will be shorter than the 7:00 pm service, and is a great service for families with young children, or just for those who can’t stay up quite so late the night before Easter. This service will include the dramatic readings, songs, and a sermon, but will not include baptisms or the Eucharist.

On this, our most important holiday, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection and the new life it brings to us. This joyful service includes singing, readings, a sermon, and the celebration of the Eucharist. Bring Bells! No regular Children's ministry, so children and guests will worship all together with their families. Nursery care will be offered during services. (coming soon)

Nursery Care for Holy Week Services (March 28-April 5)

The nursery will be open for children ages 3 years and under during the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and 4:30pm Easter Vigil services. If your little one needs nursery care during these services, please email Andrea Pope. (The nursery will be available as usual on Easter Sunday.)