Palm Sunday Celebrations

April 2 | 8:45, 10, 11:30 AM
Both in-person AND live-streamed online.
Near the end of his Journey to Jerusalem, the triumphal entry of Jesus into this city is met with joyful praise to God for all the miracles the disciples and crowds have witnessed.

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week—a time in which the church points to, and remembers, the events leading to cross but ending in resurrection.

via livestream or FB Live

Maundy Thursday: Towel & Table

April 6 | 7 PM
in-person only

This night, we remember what happened the night before Jesus’ death, when He was around the table with His disciples sharing the Last Supper.

We’ll do so through a nontraditional style service, filled with creative ways to step into the most profound meal in all human history—Communion—and the humbling example of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet.

Childcare (6wks–4yrs) available.
*This service will NOT be livestreamed.

Good Friday (Afternoon Service)

April 7| 12 PM
in-person only

Take a break from work for this 30-min service reflecting on the events on Good Friday. Soup & bread provided afterwards.

Childcare (6wks–4yrs) available.
*This service will NOT be livestreamed.

—

What is Good Friday?
Ever since Jesus died and was raised again, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Good Friday is the term we use to designate the day on which Jesus willingly went to the cross. On that day, we reflect upon the reality that Jesus suffered and died for the sake of the whole world. While it seems strange to call it “good,” we refer to it in this way not because of what happened, but because of where it leads.

What the world meant for evil, God redeemed in Christ for the good of every person. The horrible events of that Friday would eventually give way to the beautiful victory of Easter Sunday, where we discover that, through Christ, we are not only set free from the penalty of sin, but we are set free to live joyfully and to join God in God’s mission of love for the sake of the world.­

Good Friday: Last Seven Words

April 7 | 7 PM
Both in-person AND live-streamed online. Childcare (6wks–4yrs) available.

Reflect on what we know as the “last seven words of Christ” as we try to understand what Jesus went through on our behalf that Good Friday.

• “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NLT)
• “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 NIV)
• “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27 NIV)
• “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34 NIV)
• “I thirst.” (John 19:28-29 ESV)
• “It is finished.” (John 19:30 NIV)
• “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” (Luke 23:46 NLT)

These last words of Jesus will be shared by a variety of generations. Hear these words—which are still very much alive and well—spoken and reflected through some of the family that calls UC home.

via livestream or FB Live

Easter Sunday

April 9 | Sunday Services

Then on the third … early in the morning, thunderous power, love and beauty broke the silence. What everyone thought was the end, became the beginning.

The man people thought was wrapped in grave clothes, was walking through town, breathing and talking and…very much alive!

Most could hardly believe their eyes. Mary thought Jesus was a gardener; two of his disciples mistook him for a stranger; and his friend Thomas refused to believe without touching for himself Jesus’ pierced hands and side.

And no wonder! They thought that evil had claimed the final word.

On Friday, Jesus said “It was finished.”

But then, on the third day, he came back to life and declared that the victory coursing through his veins, the new home he was building, the massive love that held him on the cross – we were invited into it, too.

Sunday, April 9 | 6:30 am
SUNRISE SERVICE – bring your own chairs!

Sunday, April 9 | 8:45, 10 and 11:30 am
8:45 am – Traditional
10 am– Contemporary
11:30 am – Vessel

Childcare (6wks–4yrs) available at all gatherings.
Kids Classes (PreK–5th grade) at 10 AM & 11:30 AM; kids will start in Kids Classes at 10 AM.

via livestream or FB Live

FALLEN

Darkness began its drumroll.

On Friday, after being betrayed, denied and abandoned by his friends, Jesus spent hours under fire with officials and religious leaders who were also his biggest accusers. They were jealous of his power, Herod was confused by it, Pilate was afraid of it, but the crowd was firm: incited by those religious leaders, they wanted this guy dead.

Pilate knew, deep in his bones, that Jesus was innocent. But the crowd shouted louder and louder until they drowned out his resolve. Ancient tradition prescribed that he could free one prisoner for the local holiday. Pilate chose … a murderer named Barabbas. And sentenced Jesus to death.

Soldiers slapped, punched, spit on, beat, condemned, and mocked him. They laughed at the idea that he was a king, throwing royal robes over his shoulders and sinking a crown of thorns into his head. And then, in the cruelest death imaginable, nailed him to a cross.

Jesus’ followers, friends and family alike stood by, watching the man who represented their only hope and their wildest dreams be put to death. The desperation, the loneliness, the abandonment, the anger, the horror – it all began to feel real.

And Jesus stayed there on the cross, not because nails held him there but because of his love for his Father and his love for us.

Three nails and three hours later, he cried that it was finished. And hanging on that tree, Jesus tasted the weight of sin with arms wide open.

SILENCED

The dust of darkness began to settle.

On Saturday, yawning between Friday and Sunday, there was nothing to do but wait.

And grieve.

And wonder what on earth is going on.

And remember what on earth went on, just yesterday.

And let the silence speak volumes, as it almost always does.

And fear that cruel tyranny had triumphed, that injustice and evil were victors, and darkness had silenced Love.

REDEEMED

Then on the third…

Early Sunday morning, thunderous power, love and beauty broke the silence. What everyone thought was the end, became the beginning.

The man people thought was wrapped in grave clothes, was walking through town, breathing and talking and…very much alive!

Most could hardly believe their eyes. Mary thought Jesus was a gardener; two of his disciples mistook him for a stranger; and his friend Thomas refused to believe without touching for himself Jesus’ pierced hands and side.

And no wonder! They thought that evil had claimed the final word.

But when the cross happened, something else happened too. Something that changed the course of the cosmos, crushed evil, and shamed death. Something that forgave. It was a victory won, a symphony of joy started, a fierce hope set in motion, a new home—heaven on earth—established.

On Friday, Jesus said “It was finished.”

But then, on the third day, he came back to life and declared that the victory coursing through his veins, the new home he was building, the massive love that held him on the cross – we were invited into it, too.

Generation upon generation of believer, seeker, skeptic, and cynic alike have asked this very same question.

In short, there is no short answer.

If history is to be believed, Jesus was no more than a most peculiar Jewish rabbi who gained a passionate following in first-century Palestine. If history is to be believed, Jesus was a man who lived and died – as any man who came before, and as every man who would come after.

Though, if the scriptures are to be believed, Jesus was far more than a man; Jesus was infinitely more than a rabbi. Jesus was Christ; Jesus was Immanuel, “God with us.” If the scriptures are to be believed, Jesus was the very embodiment of love, generosity, grace, justice, and mercy. If the scriptures are to be believed, Jesus was the Son of Man who lived, died, and rose again—for His glory, our good, and for the sake of the world.

Who is Jesus? Well just ask those who feared Him most:

To the arrogant, He was schemer. To the prideful, He was blasphemer. To the wicked, He was revealer. 

Who is Jesus? Well just ask those who knew Him best:

To the disciples, He was teacher. To the sick, He was healer. To the weary, He was comforter. To the oppressed, he was liberator. To the overlooked, he was noticer. To those who received his message of love, he was friend. To the lost, He was redeemer.

And to all of the above, to each and every last sinner – He was, is, and forever will be Savior.

Savior from the shame of your past.

Savior from the perils of your present.

Savior from the uncertainty of your future.

Who is Jesus? We promise that He has been waiting your whole life for you to ask Him yourself.

RESPOND