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HOLY WEEK
Join us as we walk together through the final week of Jesus' life.
Services offered in Virginia & Maryland; see below for time and location details.
PALM SUNDAY
Sunday, April 13 @ 10am | Drew Elementary
We re-enact Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, beginning our worship outside by waving palms, singing songs, and crying Hosanna. Over the course of the service, those cries will turn to "crucify him!" as we begin our Holy Week journey toward the cross.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Thursday, April 17 | Homes across VA, MD, DC
We remember Jesus' last supper with his disciples by gathering in homes for a shared meal and special liturgy. Signup here for a spot in a home.
GOOD FRIDAY
Friday, April 18 | Multiple Locations
1-4pm: Drop-in prayer and confession (Beverley Hills UMC)
7pm: Tenebrae (Virginia - Beverley Hills UMC)
7pm: Tenebrae (Maryland - Hyattsville Mennonite)
Confession and Prayer (1-4pm): The sanctuary of Beverley Hills UMC will be open from 1-4pm for quiet prayer and/or confession with a priest. Candles will be available for lighting as an act of prayer. If you would like to schedule a time for confession, please email Amy, or simply show up. We use the Reconciliation of Penitents liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer (p. 223).
Tenebrae (7pm): We remember Jesus' suffering and death. Tenebrae (Latin for "shadows") is a service of light and darkness, sound and silence. Sensory note: this service becomes increasingly dark as we extinguish candles, and includes a loud noise called the strepitus. The Maryland service will be more sensory-friendly. This service will be offered in both Virginia and Maryland.
HOLY SATURDAY
Saturday, April 19 at home
7pm Easter Vigil & Party | Beverley Hills UMC
This is a day when we sit in the silence of Christ’s death. It’s an opportunity to reflect and mourn all the places in the world where God seems absent. We encourage you to be deliberate about the things you watch or do or say today.
We will gather at 7pm at Beverley Hills for the Easter Vigil. This is a long and multi-sensory service that begins outside around the fire, proceeds through the retelling of God's redemption story, and ends with the joyful first "alleluias" of Easter and renewing our baptismal vows. Afterward, we will celebrate with late-night s'mores around the fire. Bring bells!
In addition to the Vigil, we offer the following suggestions for how to spend Holy Saturday:
Something to see: We have prepared a guide to several works of sacred art in the National Gallery of Art, paired with readings from Julian of Norwich. View the gallery guide online here, or pick up print copies throughout Holy Week.
Something to hear: Spend the day listening to St. Matthew's Passion. It’s long. It’s beautiful. Turn up the sound. Light a candle. Allow the music to wash over you. Many people listen as they prepare and eat the lentil soup below.
Something to eat: Join our community in a collective fast until sundown as we remember Christ's death and pray for ourselves, our community, and our world. And whether or not you choose to fast, make lentil soup with vinegar for supper, remembering the bitter gall offered to Jesus on the cross. Recipe here. This has become a treasured Incarnation tradition.
EASTER SUNDAY
Sunday, April 20 | Beverley Hills UMC
10am potluck brunch, 11:30am Easter Service
We rejoice! Join us at 10am for an Easter celebration! Bring flowers and greenery from your garden for our children's Easter procession. Bring your Incarnation bells to ring for the first alleluias of the Easter season. And bring a potluck dish to share for an Easter feast before the service (signup here)! The service will begin at 11:30am.
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