April 2, 2026

Dear Central Church,

“Same old stuff” was my friend’s reply when asked, “What’s going on?” I normally wouldn’t have noticed it, but this question was asked at the beginning of “Holy Week.” There was a lot more going on than “same old stuff,” even if he didn’t realize it. 

We call this week “Holy Week” as a way of setting apart this week on our calendars. Today is Maundy Thursday and it begins the church’s annual rehearsal of the most significant days in the history of the world. As you go throughout your day, I invite you to think about more than the “same old stuff” that fills your routine. Welcome to the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life. 

Maundy Thursday remembers the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the sacrament of communion and washed his disciples' feet, modeling humility and service. The word "Maundy" is from the Latin word, “mandatum” which is translated as "commandment." It was at the Last Supper where Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) The church is open tonight at 6:30pm for an interactive prayer event focused on the Last Supper and the significance of this moment. 

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is deemed "good" because, in Christian theology, Jesus’s sacrificial death serves as atonement for humanity’s sins, offering redemption, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life, transforming a dark day of suffering into a foundational victory of faith. 

I hope you’ll join us on Friday at 6:30pm in a “reverse Advent” Tennenbrae (Latin for “darkness” or “shadows”) service. We’ll extinguish the candles of love, joy, hope, and peace as we remember the suffering and death of Jesus. 

Holy Saturday is the quiet, solemn day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday marking the time Jesus "rested" in the tomb, highlighting his true death. It represents a period of waiting, meditation, and silence for Christians. 

All of this leads us to…Resurrection Sunday! We want everyone to hear this good news! We created this invite on social media. Would you share it on your personal page? Here’s the Facebook and Instagram links. 

All of this is a reminder that God will not allow us to remain in bondage to the “same old stuff,” but we have hope and new life in Christ. Join us for Easter worship and invite a friend. 

With Resurrection Hope,
Pastor Mark