Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Palm Sunday – March 28
Be sure to pick up a palm! If you don’t have one, you can cut a piece of green branch or wave a piece of green fabric or clothing. Our point here is to join in the Biblical experience of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday provides an entry, also, for us as we begin again the journey to the cross. As we wave our palms and sing our praises, we also acknowledge the strange dissonance of proceeding toward the next steps in the journey. Join us for worship on Facebook Live at 9:30 a.m. After worship, we’ll have our annual meeting of the congregation where we will celebrate the blessings and recognize the challenges of 2020. After the meeting Pastor Erik will teach a little lesson on how to make a palm cross out of a strip palm (which you can pick up before Sunday!).
Maundy Thursday – April 1
Maundy comes from the Latin word for “mandate” … on Maundy Thursday we celebrate the Last Supper at which Jesus gives a new commandment, or mandate, that we are to love one another. Jesus models the love of neighbor as he washes the feet of his friends. One of the most special traditions at PCWS is gathering for a feast together before transitioning to worship — and hopefully, in 2022 we will return to that tradition. But this year we’ll gather on Zoom, bringing our communion elements. You might want to use a cup of sentimental value for communion. Our service will end in silence as we continue our journey from the Last Supper into the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus went to pray.
Good Friday – April 2
On Good Friday we uncomfortably celebrate the trial, conviction, and execution of Jesus. This year we will have a pre-recorded service that you can use to meditate on the importance of this day. It will be available on our YouTube channel starting at noon. Click here to visit our YouTube channel. Good Friday is a difficult day, and we’d sometimes like to rush to Easter. You’re encouraged, though, to use this time to reflect more deeply on God’s love for humanity and also on the ways that humanity pushes back against that love.