“Holy Week” is the week before Easter.  

During this week all over the world people remember the story of Jesus’ last week before his death and resurrection. During the week there are special ways that people have told the stories for over two thousand years. Taken as a whole, the week is like a full story told in chapters. Each day gives us a chance to engage and embody a different part of Jesus’ life and ministry as we move toward the ultimate celebration of Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection.
We started our observance of Holy Week on Palm Sunday, the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem.

Maundy Thursday

Watch Union Church’s Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 pm https://union-church.org/live-broadcast/
The word “Maundy” comes from “mandatum novum,“ the Latin translation of John 13:34, “I give you a new commandment…that you love one another” which Jesus speaks in the upper room before his arrest and trial. This day commemorates the supper Jesus held with his disciples on which we base every celebration of communion. We often remember this day with a “Tenebrae” service. “Tenebrae” is the Latin word meaning, “shadows” and date back to the fourth century. With candles to represent the disciples and the Christ, each one is extinguished as the story from the gospel is read. This represents the denial and desertion and ultimately the death and burial of Jesus.
Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30
This is the “Passion” narrative from the gospel according to Matthew, most likely written about 90 CE by an unknown Christian who was probably located in or near Antioch of Syria. Although the apostle Matthew may have  been active in founding the church in which this Gospel originated, the author exhibits an outlook, a command of Greek, and rabbinic training that suggest that he or she was a Jewish Christian of the second generation. The community for which the gospel was written was probably prosperous, urban, and mixed with both Gentiles and Jews. The text of Matthew includes hymns and prayers from that community and shows concern for sustaining the existing community of faith more than the other Gospels writers.
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’”
So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.  And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Worship Suggestion: You can have your own tenebrae service with nothing more than candles or lights in your house and the scriptures. Follow along with the actions described if you like: footwashing is a special and traditional part of this service remembering Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the start of the evening. And communion is also part of tonight. You can pause to do these actions when you come to them in the readings. There are suggestions in the notes below for these items that happen early in the readings.  You can do both, one, or neither as is best for your setting. The story is listed in sections. Read each section then blow out a candle or extinguish a light in your house. Make sure to sit in a little silence in the dark at the end of your service. Give yourself time to wait, watch, and pray.
For the Service: Use 13 candles or identify 13 lights you can safely switch off. Or use a light or lights with a dimmer. After each gospel reading, you’ll want to make it darker until at the end you are reading by one candle or in very dim light.
Footwashing: Warm water, a little soap or shampoo, wash cloth and a clean towel for drying are all you need. Since you are at home you can do this wherever it’s comfortable. Traditionally, people take turns washing each other’s feet, and if you are by yourself, even a warm soak can remind you of the tender care Jesus gave to his friends.
Communion: You’ll need some bread for all gathered and a cup of grape juice or wine. Originally the meal that is described in the Gospels was served on low tables while the guests reclined on the floor or on cushions. When you come to the reading, you or someone in the house can break the break into pieces (wash your hands first!) and someone can pour or offer everyone the juice/wine. Pouring from a pitcher or single bottle into separate cups is a good idea. If you’d like to make your own unleavened bread, here’s a recipe you can try that would have been very similar to what the disciples ate.
Unleavened bread Recipe:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix flour, oil, and salt together in a bowl; add water and mix using a pastry cutter until dough is soft. Form dough into 6 balls and press into disks onto the prepared baking sheet using your hands.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until bread is cooked, 8 to 10 minutes.

Maundy Thursday Worship Service Readings

Judas’ Decision
Hearing the Story Matthew 26:14-19
Story of the Meal
Hearing the Story Matthew 26:20-30
Prediction of Peter’s Denial
Hearing the Story Matthew 26:31-35
Jesus Prays in the Garden
Hearing the Story Matthew 26:36-56
Jesus Taken to the High Priest’s House
Hearing the Story Matthew 26:57-27:2
Suicide of Judas
Hearing the Story Matthew 27:3-10
Pilate Questions Jesus
Hearing the Story Matthew 27:11-14
The Release of Barabbas Instead of Jesus
Hearing the Story Matthew 27:15-26
Jesus Mocked by Soldiers
Hearing the Story Matthew 27:27-31
Jesus Crucified at Golgotha
Hearing the Story Matthew 27:32-44
The Death of Jesus
Hearing the Story Matthew 27:45-56
Jesus’ Body Laid in the Tomb
Hearing the Story Matthew 27:57-61
The Candle of Hope Carried Forth
Waiting, Watching
Silence and Darkness
Prayer/Meditation: Maundy Thursday–a Sonnet by Malcolm Guite
“Here is the source of every sacrament,
The all-transforming presence of the Lord,
Replenishing our every element
Remaking us in his creative Word.
For here the earth herself gives bread and wine,
The air delights to bear his Spirit’s speech,
The fire dances where the candles shine,
The waters cleanse us with His gentle touch.
And here He shows the full extent of love
To us whose love is always incomplete,
In vain we search the heavens high above,
The God of love is kneeling at our feet.
Though we betray Him, though it is the night.
He meets us here and loves us into light.”
https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/maundy-thursday/
Jesus continued to love through the indifference, the betrayal, and the hatred he experienced. Yet he also did not hesitate to call on God and ask that things be different. What are you asking God to change in your life? How can you contribute to the changes?
Action for Others: Since it will not be easy to show care with symbolic footwashing, how about a contribution to an agency helping those who are sick, hurt, homeless, or otherwise in needs with cleaning supplies. A donation to Church World Service (www.cws.org ) for disaster cleaning supplies would be like washing the feet of the world. A donation to Lava Mae (https://lavamaex.org/) provides shower trucks and laundry for people without houses right here in the US.
Musical Playlist:
Bach Passion St. Matthew Opening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf2jGSvsA7c
Bach Passion St Matthew – Aria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpUKxWma_XI
Miserere mei, Deus – Allegri – Tenebrae :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3v9unphfi0
For Further Reading: 
Do you feel like you are in a storm?
https://godspacelight.com/2020/03/10/do-you-feel-like-you-are-in-a-storm/

Good Friday

The “Good” in Good Friday is from the old sense of the word meaning “holy,” or “pious” (think “the good book”, for example). It was also known in English as “Black Friday” because according to scriptural accounts, this was day that Jesus was crucified. It is a solemn day, often accompanied by fasting and silence to remember Jesus’ suffering. Each Gospel recounts a slightly different account of Jesus’ death and the events that immediately follow. As with Maundy Thursday, this year we focus on the text from the Gospel of Matthew.
Scripture: The Gospels of both Matthew and John offer accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion:Matthew 27:1-61 and John 18:1-19:42
Worship Suggestion: You may choose to read Jesus’ lament responsively, or pray it silently. From the Berea Ministerial Association’s 2014 good Friday Service. 
Christ’s Lament
One:     O my people, O my Church, what have I done to you, or in what way have I offended you? I led you forth from the land of Egypt and delivered you by the waters of baptism, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
All:      Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
One:     I led you through the desert forty years and fed you with manna; I brought you through times of persecution and of renewal and gave you my body, the bread of heaven; but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
All:      Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
One:     I gave you a royal scepter, and bestowed the keys to the kingdom, but you have given me a crown of thorns. I raised you on high with great power, but you have hanged me on the cross.
All:      Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
One:     My peace I gave, which the world cannot give, and washed your feet as a servant, but you draw the sword to strike in my name and seek high places in my kingdom.
All:      Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
One:     I accepted the cup of suffering and death for your sakes, but you scatter and deny and abandon me. I sent the Spirit of truth to lead you, but you close your hearts to guidance.
All:      Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
One:     I called you to go and bring forth fruit, but you cast lots for my clothing. I prayed that you all may be one, but you continue to quarrel and divide.
All:      Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
One:     I came to you as the least of your brothers and sisters. I was hungry but you gave me no food, thirsty but you gave me no drink. I was a stranger but you did not welcome me, naked but you did not clothe me, sick and in prison but you did not visit me.

Write your own Lament Psalm: Lament Psalms follow a typical pattern that teaches us how to put this into practice:

• Protest: Tell God what is wrong.

• Petition: Tell God what you want Godto do about it.

• Praise: Expression of trust in God today, based on God’s character and action in the past, even if you can’t yet see the outcome.

(For some examples, take a look at Psalm 6, 10, 13, 17, 22, 25, 30, 31, 69, 73, 86, 88, 102.) from https://www.dianagruver.com/blog/praying-and-writing-lament-psalms

Prayer/Meditation: Heavenly and Most Gracious God, we come humbly this morning asking blessings on those whose hearts are filled with questions and anxiety over the uncertainty in our lives today. We ask that You shower us with your Peace that surpasses all Earthly understanding during this crisis. We come asking, during these changing times, that you be a consistent reminder that you are the one constant in our lives. That your Word remains true and you remain faithful in that Word that professes never to leave or forsake us. We come collectively asking prayers for the entire world, currently in crisis over the Coronavirus Pandemic. Recognizing that the World has fallen away from your will, we pray for your continued forgiveness, for we all have sinned and fallen short of your glory. We beseech you, Holy One, to look beyond our faults in order to see our needs.  Please hear the humble cries of your people and heal our land. Gracious God, Bless our churches… allow them to live up to your purpose, even in the creative ways they now must meet. Bless our congregations… provide for them the stamina to continue on to see what tomorrow holds. And Dear Lord, bless those you have commissioned to lead your people during these uncharted times. Lift them up and continue to whisper your guidance in their ears and their hearts, that will provide a blessing to your people. Lord, please hear the cries of your children and continue to shower us with your love, your mercy, and your grace.  Amen. — Rev. Dena Holland-Neal, Designated Pastor, Peace United Church of Christ, Merrillville, Indiana
We often focus on Jesus and his agonies on Good Friday. But God also suffered to see his beloved Son put to death. What griefs and sufferings are you experiencing or remembering today? Can you fully embrace them in such a way as to achieve relief and peace?
“We veil our faces before your glory,
O Holy and Immortal one,
and bow before the cross of your wounded Christ.
with angels and archangels,
we praise you, our Mercy,
and we bless you, our Compassion,
for in our brokenness
you have not abandoned us.
Hear us as we pray through Jesus, our high priest:
heal all division,
reconcile the estranged,
console the suffering,
and raise up to new life
all that is bound by death. Amen.”
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/prayers.php?id=35
Action for Others: our Berea Food Bank is seeing much heavier use lately, and probably will be in the near future. They cannot accept donations of food right now, but you can donate money at http://www.bereaoutreach.org/
Musical Playlist:
Berea College Concert Choir: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross https://vstream.berea.edu/Playlist/Concert_Choir_Balkins_Tour_2018_Email_Share?destinationID=B0G61JgUQEi9qd5NAIUwvQ&contentID=82GiDKnfuEK1tkhsgoDcEQ&pageIndex=1&pageSize=10
Stabat Mater by Pergolesi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzOmPUu-F_M&t=382s
Beneath the Cross of Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr7_i8HJ-Jo
For Further Reading: “Journey to the Cross: Artists Visualize Christ’s Passion”
https://www.imb.org/2017/04/07/journey-cross-artists-visualize-christs-passion-part-1/

Easter Vigil

Easter was – and is – the very most important of the Christian life. Just as people stay up late anticipating any good event, for centuries Christians have kept watch, waiting for the very first moment of the celebration of new life to begin. The Easter vigil, therefore was a time to remember God’s goodness through many hard times, and to recount the blessings of faith. Those who were in prayer and study during Lent are often baptized at an Easter vigil service, and churches that start dark are lit with new candles and flooded with light. The Easter vigil also marks the end of the Lenten fasts, so there is feasting and celebration when the long wait for the season of resurrection begins.
Churches that celebrate it reflect on the darkness of the world had Jesus never been resurrected. The events of the day before Jesus’ resurrection are given in Matthew 27:62-66:
The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
No reference is given to what Jesus’ followers did on the day before His resurrection. It was the Sabbath, so they could not have traveled, and the women did not go to His tomb until the next morning. from compellingtruth.org

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday commemorates the discovery of Jesus’ empty tomb and his appearance to the disciples after his execution, proving that God’s love is truly stronger than death. Symbols of new life have always been important to Christian communities at this time. The butterfly is beloved as an Easter symbol. It also goes into a tomb and comes out transformed and for northern hemisphere churches, their appearance heralds the warming season. The word “Easter” actually has nothing to do with the Bible. A 6th century English historian says that the  ‘Month of Ēostre’, refers to a goddess people used to worship during what we now think of as April. In Greek and Latin, though, the day and the season are referred to as “Pascha” from an Aramaic word referring to the Jewish festival of Passover, and the time when the angel of death “passed over” the people of Israel before they were liberated from Egypt. As early as 50 CE, the apostle Paul makes the theological claim that Christ is our passover, and his life leads to liberation.
Watch Union Church’s Easter Sunday service at 10:30! https://union-church.org/live-broadcast/
Musical Playlist: Hallelujah Chorus – Handel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI6dsMeABpU
Virtual choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akb0kD7EHIk&fbclid=IwAR1Hvv29Ue-lezex9BddOK6CFQR_Nt39ySrjHNDBFDs4PdcYbfTlN8fj0Eo
Hallelujah Chorus – Handel for KIDS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRhjWdr-LAA
For Further reading: from Prayers for Being by Jennifer Even Melton
Solace
God of all being, wellspring at our center,
When our thoughts fly like sparks and we churn with discontent,
When anxiety tangles and ensnares us
and feeds us acrid water,
Pierce through the knotted mesh,
Extinguish our wayward sputtering;
Neutralize the bitterness
and infuse us from your deep font.
Reanimate our spirits and manifest tranquility in our hearts.
When we seek and steep in your love-infused water,
We remember,
We reconnect,
We are revitalized and restored.
We return to and can rest in the beloved unity,
The oneness our soul knows as home.
Amen
 
Refuge
God of all being,
When our spirits lay limp, unable to catch any wind;
When our hearts feel so heavy, we can hardly shuffle our feet;
When a numbing ache fills our bodies,
When our thoughts are empty and tumbling in the dust;
Parched as we are, and unable to drink,
You are the deep spring within us,
Nourishing and flowing in our innermost being.
When we finally succumb in stillness,
May we find the refuge that is always there,
In sorrow and in joy,
To comfort and to strengthen.
Even when our connection to you feels broken,
May we remember that you are as close and ever present as our breath,
Ready to renew our vitality and inspire our spirits
as soon as we inhale and yield.
Amen.
 
Trust
God of all being, mountain before me,
lead me toward your shade,
in the heat of anger, of anguish, of unmet needs.
Shelter me from the unrelenting cold,
the dark, the raw unresolved.
Hold me in all my comings and goings
until I fully trust that I cannot be separated from you
and you are with me in this time and forevermore.
Amen
 
Presence
God of all being, gift of Light.
You reveal yourself, become a real presence for us,
in the people who are there for us,
who stand by us, encourage us, share our challenges and joys.
You are Love, lived out in us, carried by us,
shared between us, and multiplied,
as one candle lighting another,
spreading light, without diminishing the source.
To receive and reflect your light,
To grow in your light,
And to ponder the mystery of light after death.
What a wondrous gift!
Amen.