Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday.

On this day we follow Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus enters the city not as an expected war lord to set God's people free from human oppression, but as a servant leader. Jesus enters humbly, riding on a donkey. 

Our Palm Sunday begins with "The Liturgy of the Palms, where we join the crowd in shouting, "Hosanna!" Because we know "the rest of the story," we recognize that these same voiced who acclaim Jesus as king will soon be shouting for his crucifixion. Our service begins with the shouts of praise, and then moves to the Passion Narrative, that part of scripture that tells of Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. (Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 26:14-27:66)

On Holy Monday we remember Jesus cleansing the Temple, over turning the tables of the money changers. (Matthew 21:12-22)

Holy Tuesday brings Jesus face to face with the religious leaders of his day. (Matthew 21:23-32)

Judas Iscariot dominates our reading on Holy Wednesday as he decides to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:1-16)

Holy Thursday has been named "Maundy Thursday," meaning "Mandate." During the Last Supper, which is commemorated on this day, Jesus gave his disciples a new mandate, to love one another. CtS holds an evening worship service on Maundy Thursday. During this service we remember Jesus' presiding over the Last Supper, his agony in the garden and his arrest. 

Good Friday marks the reality that Jesus willing laid down his life to set us free from the bondage of sin and death. The death of Jesus appears to be a most terrible injustice. In reality, it is the very best good thing that has ever happened to human kind. From the. cross Jesus announces, "Tetelestai," meaning, "It is finished." Death no longer has dominion over those who put their faith and trust in Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf. (Matthew 27:1-61)

Holy Saturday is a quiet day of reflection as Jesus lies entombed in the burial site of Joseph of Arimathea. One traditional church teaching about this day is that Jesus descended to the dead to tell them of the wonderful gift of life that he brings to all who put their faith and trust in him. (Matthew 27:62-66)

We celebrate each day as people who know the power of Jesus' resurrection, preparing our hearts and minds for the great truth of Easter.