Holy Week March 28-April 4 - St Andrew's United Methodist Church, Brandon FL

Holy Week March 28-April 4

PLEASE NOTE: The Maundy Thursday service at First UMC will begin at 7:00 pm instead of 7:30 and the Tenebrae Service at Saint Andrew's will begin at 7:30 pm instead of 7:00.

Palm Sunday March 28 8:30, 9:50, and 11:10am

Cantata Eyes of Faith

Maundy Thursday, April 1 at 7:00 (First UMC)

The Cluster of seven United Methodist Churches in the Brandon area invites all friends and neighbors to four special services for Holy Week and Easter. On, April 1, at 7:30 pm, First UMC of Brandon (121 N. Knights Avenue, one block north of SR 60) will observe Maundy Thursday. Impassioned music, stirring drama, and Holy Communion bring the fellowship of believers into the final hours of the Savior’s life and preparation for His sacrificial death. For more details call the church office, 689.4161, or visit www.fumcbrandon.org.

Prayer Maze April 2-3 3pm-3pm- signup

Lenten worship can be somber yet hopeful every year in reading the same scriptures; however, each year is different because we are different. Where do we look for hope in 2010? The Family Life Center of St. Andrew’s UMC (3315 Bryan Road, corner of Bloomingdale and Bryan) will be open with a Prayer Labyrinth on Friday, April 2; 3pm to Saturday, April 3; 3pm. Even if your current prayer life is only praying on the run, you will meet God privately and personally in a heart softened and broken by surveying the Cross, reading scripture, confessing sin, crying out to the Lord and listening to Him, finding deep, personal encounter with the Father. Prayer Stations will guide a pray-er to surrender self so that the Holy Spirit will take over communication and will unite a humbled heart with Jesus. At least three persons per hour will be praying in the Tent of Meeting with God ‘round the clock—with a break from 7 to 9 pm for the service of darkness, known as Tenebrae. Sign up so we can make sure we have continuous praying.

Tenebrae Service, Friday April 2 7:30pm

Friday, April 2 7pm to 8pm St. Andrew’s will host Tenebrae, a rite of shadows and remembrance, all colorful paraments in the sanctuary will be removed, lights and candles will be extinguished, and musical instruments will be silenced. The austere darkness and emptiness will take us back two thousand years when Jesus, the Light and Life of the world, died on the Cross for the sins of the whole world. Though we now view the Crucifixion through the lens of the joyful Resurrection on Easter Sunday, Friday and Saturday place us in the center of the harsh reality of punishment, suffering, sin, and death. Fellowship in prayer, scripture lessons, and silent whispers to God will bring hope and promise to hearts bowed in longing and hunger for spiritual filling On Holy Friday and/or Holy Saturday, spend time at the foot of the Cross.

Easter Sunrise Service 6:30am April 4 (Rotary Camp Florida)

The fourth annual gathering for the Community Easter Sunrise Service will be held again by the lake at Rotary Camp Florida, 1915 Camp Florida Road, Brandon, 33510, 6:30 – 7:15 am on Sunday, April 4. Event is hosted by the Tampa Bay Area Emmaus Community. Before the sun rises worshipers will rejoice in song, plunge into scriptures, and attend to a meditation on the fullness of our own personal lives when Jesus meets us, calls our names, calms our anxieties, and reminds us that His grace is a gift to believe. Participants should wear warm clothing for the chilly lake breezes, bring lawn chairs for seating, and expect to be enfolded in the fellowship of Easter.

The Cluster of UM Churches invites all to join in Holy Week solemnity and Easter celebration as God lovingly takes His people from the valley to the mountain, from death to life, from suffering to salvation. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Easter Celebration April 4th 8:30, 9:50, and 11:10am

Enjoy traditional Easter Service in the St. Andrew's Sanctuary. The sanctuary will be decorated with Easter lilys in honor of the resurrection of Christ.