Easter Week at First Congregational Church of Anchorage

As a mainline Christian church, we are Easter people no matter how we interpret the events of that time so long ago. We come together during this most important week of our religious year to rededicate our lives to God and to Christ our brother and our mentor.

Easter Week at FCC begins on Sunday March 28th at 10:30 am with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. According to the Bible accounts, the crowds shouted hosannas and placed palm branches in the road before him as Jesus rode into the city on the back of a humble donkey. We will celebrate the day with palms and a special program offered by our children.

Maundy means commandment. Maundy Thursday is so named because Jesus said to His disciples at the Last Supper, "A new commandment I give you: That you love one another." Sadly, after receiving this commandment, the disciples all "fell away" during Jesus' hour of trial. They did not gather together again until much later when the new light of Christ's resurrection had finally dawned upon each of them.

Tenebrae means darkness. It is the name given to a service of worship in which candles are gradually extinguished as a solemn commemoration of the passion of Christ. We invite you to join us at 8:00 pm on Thursday, April 1st for a very moving Tenebrae service recalling those last moments Christ spent with the disciples and the growing darkness he must have felt.

Good Friday, April 2nd, at noon there will be a reading of the seven last words interspersed with silent meditation to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus. You are invited to come spend an hour in quiet reflection and meditation on the death of this good man and what it means to your life today.

On Easter Sunday, April 4th at 10:30 am come commemorate the resurrection with us. There will be flowers and music and a joyous spirit as we celebrate the renewal of our faith and our spirits and our commitment to principles of Christianity as demonstrated by Jesus. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us in this celebration. All are welcome.