April 5, 2023

You may have recently wondered: “why the extra services leading up to Easter?” It’s a fair question - although other traditions have, more or less, held to gathering for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services throughout church history - it is not a universal practice throughout the PCA and some may imagine a handful of reformers protesting the validity of gathering on these other evenings. One answer immediately comes to mind - the events leading up to and concluding in the death and resurrection of Jesus are far too dramatic to contain in a single service. The intimate setting of the Last Supper and Upper Room discourse; the unjust trial and execution of Jesus following the betrayal by one of his own; and, of course, the glory of resurrection each merit their own handling. Do we believe that attendance at each of these distinct worship services makes us into some sort of super Christian? No, of course not! But, there are distinct facets of the grace of God in Jesus Christ held forth as we focus on each element of the events which led to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. To that end, please spend some time this week considering the homily and sermon texts listed below. Read and pray through them out loud with your families, friends or roommates.

Maundy Thursday: John 13:31-35

Good Friday: John 10:7-18

Easter Sunday: Hebrews 1:1-4

Please pray also for all those who will join the church in worship this week - that the Gospel would be proclaimed, that ears would be opened to hear it, and hearts softened to receive it. 

We Will Feast In The House of Zion

—Matt Allhands