Holy Week 2026

He is risen!
Please join us this Lenten season and especially during Holy Week at Riverchase.

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What is Holy Week?
Why it matters and why you should attend… 

What is Holy Week? 

• The week between Palm Sunday and Easter 

Palm Sunday, Sunday March 29 at 9:30 & 11:00 AM Traditional and 11:00 Modern 

• Palm Sunday is the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time. 
  • It was held during the Festival of the Passover. 
    • A celebratory time commemorating the Exodus when the Hebrew males were spared from the death angel. The death angel Passed Over them… (Passover) 
  • Many believed Jesus to be the Messiah, so when he enters, he gets a royal procession which would have included Palm Branches. (Palm Sunday) 

Maundy Thursday, April 2 at 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary 

• Maundy Thursday is the day that Jesus initiates the Lord’s Supper in some of the  Gospels and a foot washing in another. 

• As per UMC.org: Maundy Thursday is an alternate name for Holy Thursday, the first of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus. The English word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, which means “commandment.” 

• As recorded in John’s gospel, on his last night before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then gave them a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). This is why services on this night generally include the washing of feet or other acts of physical care as an integral part of the celebration. 

• While John’s gospel does not record the institution of the Lord’s Supper among the events of this night, the other gospels do. This is why Christians have traditionally observed this night both at the basin (foot washing) and at the Lord’s Table (Holy Communion). 

• We will be celebrating the Last Supper and not doing a foot washing – in case you wondering. 

Good Friday, April 3 at 6:30 in the Sanctuary 

• Good Friday is the Friday before the Resurrection of Christ. 
• Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion of Christ. 
• This year’s Good Friday service will be almost identical to last year’s. 
• People had great comments about last year’s. 

Why it matters… 

• It matters because the Christian community has gathered on these special days to remember a God that loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die for our sins so that we have an opportunity at eternal life. 

• The Christian Community has been doing this for centuries. 

• Ultimately, as United Methodists, it helps us to more fully understand the significance of Easter. 

Why you should attend… 

• It’s always a high and holy moment when the Riverchase Community gathers for Worship. 

• Those that have attended in the past have said these services are some of our most impactful. 

• Just like the Christians centuries ago, it’s a way to understand more fully the significance of Easter on Resurrection Sunday. 

• Odds are that you will not be disappointed, and you’ll be glad you did.