Celebrating Holy Week

The whole lent season leads up to this Holy Week. I have never celebrated lent before, but have really appreciated the beauty and intimacy that lent holds. It has been amazing to walk with Christ through fasting for forty five days. Sunday marks the end of the season with the celebration of Christ ressurection (aka Easter).

Holy week actually started last Sunday with Palm Sunday. The celebration of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. The church service was beautiful, and we celebrated with fellowship and food after service. The church service included the presenting of Holy Week symbols, folks reading scripture, and a wonderful sermon about Jesus entering the city (or triumphant entry ). It was a great time of reflection, and a new experience of celebrating the triumphant entry.

On Wednesday we reflected with a prayer walk around our neighborhood. We joined with Jesus lamenting over the city when he wept. We went to different areas in the community starting with an area that had been used for a tire dump, then went to a school that has been closed and boarded up, following that we walked to an abandoned house that someone is trying to flip for profit, and ended at an abandoned jump start building. We prayed over all the areas asking God to intervene and  reflecting on all the hardships of the community. We prayed for the families in the community, and for all the folks that are sitting on property instead of selling it. (There is a whole lot of frustration that comes with that...I will blog about that soon.) This was a hard night, but it was good to lift all those cares to Christ.

Us praying at the old tire dump

Unfortunately I was unable to be a part of the maundy service. The church celebrated the Passover by breaking bread, feet washing, and ended in our community garden.

Tonight we have the Good Friday service. I believe that it will be a powerful experience reflecting on Jesus being hung on the cross. And walking through it with fellow brothers and sisters.

But all of this leads to the big day! A day when death was defeated forever and Jesus brought his Kingdom to Earth. On the third day he rose, and death lost its power! I'm looking forward to a 7:30 am sunrise service followed by activities for the kids, finally leading into an Easter service. Praise God that Jesus rose and the grave could not contain him!

I have truly enjoyed the celebration of Holy Week. God is good and has shown himself to me throughout this lent season and my year here in Atlanta! Thanks for reading.

May grace and peace be upon you.

Shalom,

 Adam Q