There is a story surrounding the famous escape artist Harry Houdini. He was able to escape almost anything--straight jackets, handcuffs, jail cells, being buried alive. However, one time when he entered a jail cell with the intention of escaping, he immediately noticed something different about the lock. He began working with the lock to no avail. Two hours passed and still the jail cell door lock would not budge. Finally, in exhaustion, he leaned against the jail cell door and it opened. The door had never been locked.
The Christian belief is that the door is always open for anyone to receive the amazing love of God that has been shown to us through Jesus Christ. Jesus, as God Incarnate, came to show the nature of God through his life, teachings, healings and ultimately his death upon the cross and resurrection. Jesus' death shows us that God is willing to go to any length to give us His love. We simply are asked to walk through the unlocked door and enter into the presence of God that is offered to us.
In celebration and gratitude for the gift of Jesus Christ, we especially remember Jesus' last days on earth during Holy Week, the week preceding Easter Sunday. It begins with Palm/Passion Sunday, when we lift up Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when people lined the streets as Jesus entered on a donkey and shouted "Hosanna!" which means "Alleluia!" or "Hooray!" The week concluded on that Thursday with Jesus celebrating the Passover with his
disciples in the Upper Room, that we now know as the Last Supper. Christians reenact the Last Supper every time Holy Communion/the Lord's Supper/the Eucharist is received. On Good Friday, Jesus is arrested, tried, beaten, deserted by his disciples and crucified on a cross. Three days later, the disciples discover that Jesus is now longer dead, but he is alive! He has been resurrected!
First United Methodist Church of Kosse retells the story of Jesus' last days through worship. On Palm/Passion Sunday at 10:45 AM, children bring in the palm branches in celebration of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem. It will
also include the dramatic retelling of Jesus' last days according to the Gospel of Luke read by several readers. The Maundy/Holy Thursday service at 6:00 PM includes the receiving of Holy Communion and a symbolic foot
washing through hand wiping. The Good Friday service at 6:00 PM incorporates a Tenebrae service or Service of Darkness that begins with light and candles and ends in darkness just as the sky became dark at Jesus' death.
Several people who were present at Jesus' last days are represented in first person soliloquies during the service.
The Holy Week services conclude with the victorious celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday! The first service on Easter is held at Reagan United Methodist Church at 197 CR 2902 at Reagan. This Easter Sunrise service is outside on the lawn of the church at 8:00 AM. Bring lawn chairs (probably a coat!) and grateful hearts! Following this brief service, there is a homemade breakfast inside the church. If there is inclement weather, the service will be brought inside the church. At 10:45 AM, Easter is observed at First United Methodist Church at Kosse. If you would like to truly experience the joy and power of Christ's death and resurrection, you will be blessed by these special services during Holy Week and Easter!
The Christian belief is that the door is always open for anyone to receive the amazing love of God that has been shown to us through Jesus Christ. Jesus, as God Incarnate, came to show the nature of God through his life, teachings, healings and ultimately his death upon the cross and resurrection. Jesus' death shows us that God is willing to go to any length to give us His love. We simply are asked to walk through the unlocked door and enter into the presence of God that is offered to us.
In celebration and gratitude for the gift of Jesus Christ, we especially remember Jesus' last days on earth during Holy Week, the week preceding Easter Sunday. It begins with Palm/Passion Sunday, when we lift up Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when people lined the streets as Jesus entered on a donkey and shouted "Hosanna!" which means "Alleluia!" or "Hooray!" The week concluded on that Thursday with Jesus celebrating the Passover with his
disciples in the Upper Room, that we now know as the Last Supper. Christians reenact the Last Supper every time Holy Communion/the Lord's Supper/the Eucharist is received. On Good Friday, Jesus is arrested, tried, beaten, deserted by his disciples and crucified on a cross. Three days later, the disciples discover that Jesus is now longer dead, but he is alive! He has been resurrected!
First United Methodist Church of Kosse retells the story of Jesus' last days through worship. On Palm/Passion Sunday at 10:45 AM, children bring in the palm branches in celebration of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem. It will
also include the dramatic retelling of Jesus' last days according to the Gospel of Luke read by several readers. The Maundy/Holy Thursday service at 6:00 PM includes the receiving of Holy Communion and a symbolic foot
washing through hand wiping. The Good Friday service at 6:00 PM incorporates a Tenebrae service or Service of Darkness that begins with light and candles and ends in darkness just as the sky became dark at Jesus' death.
Several people who were present at Jesus' last days are represented in first person soliloquies during the service.
The Holy Week services conclude with the victorious celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday! The first service on Easter is held at Reagan United Methodist Church at 197 CR 2902 at Reagan. This Easter Sunrise service is outside on the lawn of the church at 8:00 AM. Bring lawn chairs (probably a coat!) and grateful hearts! Following this brief service, there is a homemade breakfast inside the church. If there is inclement weather, the service will be brought inside the church. At 10:45 AM, Easter is observed at First United Methodist Church at Kosse. If you would like to truly experience the joy and power of Christ's death and resurrection, you will be blessed by these special services during Holy Week and Easter!
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