Lent 2026: Holy Week and Easter

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Palm Sunday—March 29

On Palm Sunday Christian congregations across the country plan to be in the streets. Just as Jesus organized a procession countering Roman forces, we will be confronting this administration and their white Christian nationalist agenda. In order to participate fully in this moment of public witness, we will be shifting our usual schedule at First Church. 

We will begin at church with a soup lunch at 11:30 a.m. If you can bring a pot of soup or a loaf of bread for the soup lunch, please email the church office.

After lunch, we will have a palm processional into the sanctuary, where we will read the Palm Sunday story, sing together, and bless both those going to the Capitol and those staying at church in vigil.

We’re renting a bus for the trip to the Capitol, if you’ll be joining us, make sure to sign up for the bus. The bus will be loading at 1:00 p.m. and leave at 1:15 p.m. The bus makes two stops—one for those wishing to join the processional from University & Dale to the Capitol, and one at the Capitol for whose who want to go directly there.

At the Capitol, we will join in worship with palm branches and processional, scripture, sermonettes, activities for children, and music led by ISAIAH’s Black Church Power Project. Anyone who wishes is invited to sing with the choir.

If you’d like to sing with the choir on Palm Sunday, please plan to attend one of the following rehearsals:

Maundy Thursday—April 2

On Maundy Thursday we’ll gather at 6:00 p.m. for a potluck meal and worship service remembering Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, and his command to love and serve each other.

If you’re able to bring something to the potluck, please sign up and share what you’re bringing.

See What Others Are Bringing to the Potluck

Good Friday—April 3

There are two opportunities to be in community with others on Good Friday:

Pilgrimage to Sites of Modern Crucifixion

You are invited to gather with others from First Church and other local congregations for this experience. Meet at Say Their Names Cemetery, at the intersection of Park Ave. S and 37th St, at noon. We will spend approximately three hours moving through a route that encompasses George Floyd Square, the Renee Good memorial, the Karmel Mall, an abduction site at 29th and Pillsbury, and the Alex Pretti memorial. At each site, we will hear from a storyteller, a theological reflector, and join in some simple ritual, and singing. You are welcome to join for some or all of this experience.

Good Friday Worship

In the evening we’ll join University Baptist Church for their Good Friday worship at 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday—April 5

Join us to celebrate new life on Easter!

There will be two services—an 8:00 a.m. worship at the Stone Arch Bridge, and a 10:00 a.m. worship in the sanctuary.

For the 8:00 a.m. worship, meet at the northeast end of the Stone Arch Bridge, where 6th Ave. SE ends. The service at the bridge is brief and simple, about 15 minutes. It includes the reading of the Easter Gospel, and the ritual of casting rose petals into the river as we say our “Alleluias”.

For the 10:00 a.m. worship service, we invite folks to help us create a garden in our sanctuary.

  • During our all ages crafting time after worship on Sunday, March 22, we will be making paper flowers. We will also need some folks to create flowers on their own—we’ll have supplies available to take home.
  • On Easter Sunday, we also invite you to bring (and take home again afterwards) a green plant, a flowering plant, or some other natural item that brings you joy or inspiration.

Whichever service you attend, please join us at 8:45 a.m. at First Church for a celebratory breakfast. For breakfast, we could use a little help! The main dishes are taken care of, but if you’re willing to contribute breakfast “sides” (bread, fruit, juice), please let Jean Chagnon know. And if you can help clean up, please sign up on the worship volunteers form.