Holy Week & Easter
We will have many opportunities for meaningful Holy Week meditation and worship
Holy Thursday April 13th at 6pm–
will be at West Springfield UMC.
6pm Dinner with Remembrance of the Last Supper followed by the Stripping of the Altar service. Dinner is potluck of soups and bread. During dinner we will share the story of the Last and Holy Communion. Following dinner we will process to the sanctuary. All are welcome and encouraged to invite others to share in this meaningful fellowship.
Good Friday April 14th 7pm-
will be at First UMC Westfield.
Tenebrea Service “Shadows of Sacrifice.” A special musical service of Tenebrea with reflections at the cross.
Easter Sunday 9am West Springfield UMC
Join us for a joyful Easter Sunday Worship Service
What is Tenebrea Service?
The word “tenebrae” comes from the Latin meaning “darkness.” The Tenebrae is an ancient Christian Good Friday service that makes use of gradually diminishing light through the extinguishing of candles to symbolize the events of that week from the triumphant Palm Sunday entry through Jesus’ burial.This increasing darkness symbolizes the approaching darkness of Jesus’ death and of hopelessness in the world without God. The service concludes in darkness, sometimes with a final candle, the Christ candle, carried out of the sanctuary, symbolizing the death of Jesus. A loud noise may also sound symbolizing the closing of Jesus’ tomb. The worshipers then leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ’s death and await the coming Resurrection.
http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-a-tenebrae-service
