Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.  It is the season of the Christian year when believers examine their own humanity and the ways they have separated themselves from God (sin), and to prepare for Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter.

Lent lasts for 40 days and is reflective of the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness and was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).  As Christians Lent is symbolic of our own wilderness and how vulnerable we are to temptation.  Jesus called upon God during those days in the wilderness to help him defeat Satan.  So our journey into the Lenten season, begins on Ash Wednesday and we wear ashes on our forehead to remind ourselves of our own mortality and need forGod.

The Season of Lent culminates with the start of Holy Week, and the first day of Holy Week is Palm Sunday.  Palm Sunday is the sixth Sunday of Lent and is also known as Passion Sunday, and passion stems from a Latin word that means “to suffer.” 

During Holy Week we will begin by remembering Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  He was greeted by crowds waving Palm branches.  They proclaimed Jesus to be the messianic king fulfilling of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.

Our Palm Sunday service will begin with a processional by the choir carrying a Palm leaf.  Children will follow carrying a Palm leaf that they will be place in a vase at the front of the church.  At a point in the service the children will pass out to you a palm cross that is made in the village of Tanzania, Africa. 

Once in Jerusalem, however, there was a growing darkness as the crowds began to withdraw from Jesus because of the murmurings of the Sadducees and Pharisees who felt threatened by Jesus’ proclamations.  By Thursday, Jesus and his disciples gathered for their last meal together.  This meal was probably the last meal or Passover which observed the “exodus” of the Israelites from Egypt when death “passed over” the Hebrew homes as the tenth plague fell upon the Egyptians.  This Thursday has become known to us as Maundy (Holy) Thursday.

Maundy comes from a Latin word, mandatum, which means “to give, to entrust, to order.”  It is from John’s gospel (John 13:34-35) that we recognize the “new” commandment that he taught his disciples…”that you love one another; even as I have loved you, you also ought to love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Most Christian churches observe Maundy Thursday by sharing in a Communion Service.  Our communion service will begin at 7:00 pm

Good (Holy) Friday

Good Friday or Holy Friday commemorates Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion and suffering, death, and burial.  A variety of services are held for worshippers so they can sense some of the pain, humiliation, and ending in the journey to the cross.  One of the traditional services held on this day focuses on the last words of Jesus with a short homily.  The last words are:

             Father, forgive  them…Luke 23:34

This day you will be with me in paradise – Luke 23:43

Woman behold your son….John 19:26-27

             My God, My God….Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

             I thirst…  John 19:28

             It is finished! John 19:30

             Father into your hands…Luke 23:46

Fairhope Christian will observe Good Friday with a Prayer Vigil that begins at 6:00 am ending at 6:00 pm. A sign-up sheet will be available for you to sign up for a half-hour increment.

Easter Sunday

Easter and Passover are moveable feasts meaning they do not have fixed dates.  The date to observe these holidays was determined by the Council of Nicaea in AD 325.  Seventeen Centuries ago!  The date is determined on a lunar calendar adapted from a formula decided by this Council.  Here’s how it works; Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the Spring equinox.  This is the day when the sun’s ecliptic or apparent path in the sky crosses the equator, thus making the days and nights of equal length.  This usually happens around March 21 which means Easter can occur anywhere between March 22 and April 25.

Easter or Resurrection Sunday is celebrated in many ways through Early Morning Sunrise Services, Regular Sunday Services, Cantatas and symbols.  One symbol we will be using in our worship service is the lily, particularly the Trumpet Lily also known as the Easter lily.  The Easter lily is described as the whitest of flowers, it represents purity, and the trumpet shape of the flower symbolizes the heralding of Jesus.  One of the most famous Biblical references is in the Sermon on the Mount when Christ said, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

There will soon be an insert in the bulletin giving you an opportunity to contribute to the Lily Fund.  Donations are $5.00 and up, and the monies collected will be given to Ecumenical Ministries (our local outreach).  The Worship Committee will purchase 3-6 lilies depending on their size.  Your memorial or honorary gift will be listed in the Easter bulletin.

On April 5^th the Men’s Fellowship will have their monthly dinner and fellowship, but a special treat is planned for the evening.  The Joy of Acting class will be presenting a play portraying a modern day family confronting the issue of doubt.  The purpose of the play is designed to raise questions and stimulate thought as to whether doubt should be, or is, a part of a Christian’s life.  Following the play a discussion will pursue on the question of doubt with your comments and questions.

A donation of $5 will be accepted to defray the cost of the dinner and reservations are needed by April 4^th.  To make your reservation the sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.  Spouses are also invited.