Fort Lauderdale, FL (March 2, 2017) – Holy Week and Easter are fast approaching, and everyone is welcome to celebrate these sacred seven days of worship with First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale. Beginning with Palm Sunday on April 9, 2017, and concluding with a joyous celebration on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, Holy Week at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale will offer several opportunities for individuals of all ages to grow in faith and fellowship.
“Our annual Holy Week events give attendees a chance to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and fully understand the sacrifices He made for us,” said Rev. Dr. Christopher Benek, Associate Pastor of Family Ministries and Mission at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale. “Each year we are thrilled to offer unique opportunities besides our contemporary and traditional worship in which our parishioners can actively participate in the Easter story.”
To celebrate the beginning of Holy Week, the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale is holding a Lenten concert on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 7 p.m., featuring the Cathedral Choir and the Symphony of the Americas. The choir and orchestra presentation will include “Te Deum” by Franz Joseph Haydn and “The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Théodore Dubois.
Additional highlights planned for Holy Week 2017 include a Labyrinth Walk, which is a time of solace and contemplative prayer; a live dramatization of Leonardo DaVinci’s “The Last Supper” on Maundy Thursday; a light luncheon following noon worship on Good Friday; and four opportunities to celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday.
“Our relationship with Christ is one of unconditional love, and that is the true meaning of being a Christian,” said Rev. Dr. Benek. “We want people to be reminded of that when they attend our Holy Week events and Easter celebration.”
The Easter Sunday celebration will begin with an 8 a.m. sunrise service in one of Fort Lauderdale’s most beautiful waterfront parks, Colee Hammock Park (1500 Brickell Drive, Fort Lauderdale), followed by a 9:30 a.m. – Contemporary worship in Fellowship Hall, 9:30 a.m. – Traditional worship in the Sanctuary and 11 a.m. – Traditional worship in the Sanctuary.
The full Holy Week schedule of events includes:
Cathedral Choir and Orchestra Lenten Concert (pre-Holy Week)
Sunday, April 2, 2017, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The Sanctuary
Choir and orchestra will perform “Te Deum” by Franz Joseph Haydn and “The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Théodore Dubois
Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 9, 2017
8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship in Chapel-in-the-Sky
9:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall
11:00 a.m. – Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
Labyrinth Walk
Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13, 2017, 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Contemplative time of prayer
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 13, 2017, 7:30 p.m.
Worship service and dramatization of DaVinci’s “The Last Supper”
Including Communion in the Sanctuary
Good Friday
Friday, April 14, 2017
Worship at Noon in the Sanctuary
Light lunch will be provided immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 16, 2017
8:00 a.m. – Sunrise service in Colee Hammock Park
9:30 a.m. – Contemporary worship in Fellowship Hall
9:30 a.m. – Traditional worship in the Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. – Traditional worship in the Sanctuary