Worshippers throng to Jerusalem for Palm Sunday

St. John’s Episcopal Church, located at 27 Devens Street, is a Christian community welcoming all persons, serving Charlestown and surrounding communities. The palms, which represent the palms the crowd brought when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, will then be carried by the faithful as they process into the cathedral, a Christian tradition since the fourth century.

Soon we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead – and some day we will celebrate His second coming.

The traditional Maundy Thursday Holy Communion service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Thursday. This period is one big celebration remembering the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and death of Jesus, and the Resurrection to new life. The joint service is open to the community. This service will capture the events of both Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Many churches have sunrise services, held early to coincide with the discovery by the women who found the tomb empty when they visited early on that Sunday to anoint Jesus’ body.

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 139 W. Main St., 10 a.m., Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with music, readings and reenactments.

For many in the Christian faith, today marks the beginning of Holy Week, a week that leads up to Easter and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Breakfast following the service in the Parish House.

A sunrise service will begin at 7 a.m.in the sanctuary, with breakfast to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Clergy urged the congregation to attend the Holy Week services when possible to deepen their experience this Easter.

The cross also reminds Christ’s followers what they should be like – cross-bearers.

Our calendar at Galilee is filling up as we approach Easter week.

At St. Mary’s, a procession is held at 11 a.m. starting at the church’s school playground.

April 14, Friday, FPC Good Friday Service: 7 p.m.in the sanctuary.

Pastor Bill Monroe of the Florence Baptist Temple said his church will have two worship services Easter Sunday to accommodate the crowds: one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 10:30 a.m.

A Silent Wednesday prayer gathering is scheduled for 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the chapel.

On Tuesday, April 11th, the Mass of the Chrism is concelebrated by the priests of the diocese with me, their bishop, during which we publicly renew our priestly commitment to Jesus Christ, to His church and to God’s people.