Holy Week, culminating on Easter Sunday (April 5), is the most sacred time on the Christian calendar.
While many Woodbury residents have a church home and plan to attend special services, others who are new to the community or not part of a congregation may be looking for a chance to join in worship.
WNN is not aware of every service or even every congregation but we would like to offer information about some of the church services in Woodbury during Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday) services commemorate the Last Supper and the institution of communion.
Tenebrae services involve the gradual extinguishing of candles to symbolize the darkness that accompanied Jesus’ death and the abandonment he experienced. The service often includes scripture readings, hymns and prayers, and may also feature a strepitus (a loud noise) at the end to represent the earthquake at Christ’s death. These services can be held any day during Holy Week.
Good Friday worship services are a somber and reflective celebration of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. These services typically involve Scripture readings, hymns, prayers and often include the Stations of the Cross, a ritual walk through symbolic stations representing Jesus’ journey to the cross.
The Easter Vigil is a significant Christian worship service that marks the beginning of Easter celebrations, typically held on Holy Saturday evening. It’s a powerful liturgy that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and often includes baptisms and the renewal of baptismal vows. The service is divided into four main parts: the Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of Baptism and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Easter Sunday services are joyful, crowded celebrations of the Resurrection. Many churches include special music, meals and time for community.
You would be welcome at any church in Woodbury in addition to those with services listed below. Some congregations offer services in other locations as well as on-line services. Check details on the church’s website and plan ahead for crowded parking lots and pews.
Catholic Churches
Guardian Angels Holy Thursday 6:30 p.m., Good Friday 3 p.m., Easter Vigil 8 p.m., Easter 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
St Ambrose Holy Thursday 7 p.m., Good Friday 12 and 3 p.m., Easter Vigil 8 p.m., Easter 7:30a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
Lutheran Churches
King of Kings Maundy Thursday 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., Good Friday 6:15 p.m., Easter Services, Saturday 4 p.m. and Sunday 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Resurrection Maundy Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Good Friday 6:30 p.m., Easter, 9 and 10:30 a.m.
Saint John Maundy Thursday 7 p.m., Good Friday 7 p.m., Easter Sunday 8 and 10:30 a.m.
Salem Maundy Thursday 6:30 p.m., Good Friday 6:30 p.m., Easter 9 a.m.
Woodbury Maundy Thursday 12 and 6:30 p.m., Good Friday 12 and 7 p.m., Easter 6:30, 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Other Denominations
Christ Episcopal Church Maundy Thursday 7 p.m., Good Friday 12 and 7 p.m., Easter Vigil 8 p.m., Easter 8:3o a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Crossroads Church All Easter services are the same. Friday, April 3, 6 p.m.; Saturday, April 4, 2, 4, and 6 p.m.; Sunday, April 5, 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Eagle Brook Church All Easter Services are the same. Friday, April 3, 5 and 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 4, 2, 4, and 6 p.m.; Easter at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Five Oaks Church Good Friday 4 and 5:30 p.m. Easter Services Saturday 4 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday 8:45, 10 and 11:15 a.m.
The Grove United Methodist Church Good Friday 7 p.m., Easter 8,9, and 10:30 a.m., Pancake Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Liberty Church Good Friday 7 p.m., Easter 10 a.m.
New Life Church Good Friday 7 p.m., Easter 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.
River Valley Church Good Friday 6:30 p.m., Easter 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Trinity Presbyterian Maundy Thursday 7 p.m., Easter 10 a.m.
