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CHRIST FIRST UMC

April 2026  |  Holy Week

3/24/2026

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 As we continue through Lent—a season of prayer, reflection, and repentance—we  begin to turn our hearts toward Holy Week. All of Lent leads us to this sacred time, when we walk step-by-step with Jesus through the final days of his earthly ministry.

On Sunday. March 29th, we celebrate Palm Sunday. Jesus entered Jerusalem to crowds shouting, “Hosanna!” - which means “Save us!” They waved palm branches, welcoming him as a king and celebrating what they believed would be a victory. Yet Jesus entered knowing the danger ahead.       Because of his great love, he chose to enter anyway.

On Thursday, April 2nd, we observe Maundy Thursday.     Jesus gathered with his disciples in the Upper Room to share the Passover meal. He knew the cross was before him. He knew he would be betrayed, denied, and abandoned. And still—he loved.

He knelt down and washed his disciples’ feet, taking the posture of a servant. He washed the feet of Judas , who would betray him. He washed the feet of Peter, who would deny him. He washed the feet of those who would scatter and leave him alone. We may not think of ourselves in those terms, but truly, we have all had moments where we’ve fallen short—times we’ve turned away, stayed silent, or chosen our own way instead of God’s.

And still...Jesus loved anyway.

And that same love is offered to us—no matter who we are or what we have done. 

On Friday, April 3rd, we remember Good Friday, when Jesus gave his life on the cross. It is a solemn day, reminding us that Jesus knows us fully—our fears, our doubts, our regrets, the things we carry quietly—and chose to give himself for us anyway. His love held nothing back.

And then comes Easter Sunday, April 5th—the celebration of resurrection and new life. Jesus rose again, defeating sin and death, restoring what was broken, and making a way for us to be in relationship with God once again.

Through Jesus, there is victory—over sin, over death, over every broken place in our lives.

All because Jesus loved anyway.

If you are still exploring what that love means, I invite you to take a step closer this season. It truly is life-changing. And if you already know this love—rejoice! And live it out. Love others as Christ has loved us. Where might God be inviting you to love anyway?
“For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16)

May you experience God’s deep and abundant love this season.
​

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Sherry
 
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    Author

    Rev. Susan Hadley

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  • Home
  • Virtual Worship
  • Giving & e-Giving
  • The Pastor's Pen
  • Faith Focus
  • Junior Youth Group
  • About Us
  • Meet the Staff
  • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
  • Local Food Pantries
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • The Organ