Lent is a season of preparation for the celebration of Easter. This season offers a diverse variety of services and fellowship opportunities. Below is a list with descriptions of the special services and events we have planned so far for the 2024 Lent/Easter Season.
Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner (Tuesday, February 13, 5:30-6:30p)
Join us on Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday) for a Fat Tuesday feast of pancakes and sausage. We’ll be flipping pancakes from 5:30-6:30p. Come when you can. All are invited. To share this event with your Facebook friends, click https://fb.me/e/3upJ1hIHo.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Donations are welcomed, but not expected.
It is customary in some Christian traditions to rid the pantry of sweets before the start of Lent (a season of fasting as Christians prepare to celebrate Easter). In some places, this custom included mixing all the sugar and flour in one’s pantry to create cakes. We will observe this custom by making pancakes! We hope you’ll join us.
Ash Wednesday Service (Wednesday, February 14, 7-8p)
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of preparation for the celebration of Easter. This worship service will begin at 7p and include the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, ashes are a sign of mortality and repentance. Join us as we remember our mortality, repent of our sin, and start the season of Lent aright.
To share this worship opportunity with your Facebook friends, click https://fb.me/e/41A5uj26E.
This service gather in-person at the church, in-person virtually using Google Meet, and stream on YouTube. Joining information and worship materials will be made available on the church website ahead of the service.
Palm Sunday Worship (Sunday, March 24, 10-11a)
Palm Sunday recalls the story of Jesus’ “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem where crowds welcomed Jesus by waving palm branches and placing them on the road in front of him. This service will be during our regular worship service on Sunday at 10am and will include a procession with palm branches. This service also marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of preparation for Easter. We hope you’ll join us.
This service gather in-person at the church, in-person virtually using Google Meet, and stream on YouTube. Joining information and worship materials will be made available on the church website ahead of the service.
Maundy Thursday Service (Thursday, March 28, 7-8p)
Join us for a traditional service of worship on Maundy Thursday at 7p. This service recalls the final night Jesus spent with his disciples before his betrayal and crucifixion. The word “Maundy” recalls the new commandment (“mandatum novum” in Latin) given to the disciples to love one another. This service will include foot (or hand) washing, holy communion, and the ancient practice of stripping the Lord’s Table and sanctuary.
For those who are uncomfortable with foot washing, handwashing will be offered or individuals may simply observe. All are welcome.
To share this worship opportunity with your Facebook friends, click https://fb.me/e/4bBydwhE3.
This service gather in-person at the church, in-person virtually using Google Meet, and stream on YouTube. Joining information and worship materials will be made available on the church website ahead of the service.
Good Friday Tenebrae Service (Friday, March 29, 7-8p)
Join us for this simple but powerful service of Tenebrae on Good Friday at 7p. A Service of Tenebrae, or “Shadows,” is based on a twelfth-century late night/early morning service and is an extended meditation on the passion of Christ. The service ends in relative darkness and silence as we await the celebration of Easter.
To share this worship opportunity with your Facebook friends, click https://fb.me/e/6uEXeD3TY.
This service gather in-person at the church, in-person virtually using Google Meet, and stream on YouTube. Joining information and worship materials will be made available on the church website ahead of the service.
Easter Sunday Worship (Sunday, March 31, 10-11a)
Join us for worship on Easter morning at 10am as we celebrate and proclaim that “Christ is risen, indeed.” This service will include holy communion and will gather in-person at the church, in-person virtually using Google Meet, and stream on YouTube. Joining information and worship materials will be made available on the church website ahead of the service.
Community Easter Egg Hunt (Sunday, March 31, 11:15a)
On Easter Sunday, March 31, at 11:15am (following worship), children ages 12 and under are invited to hunt for Easter eggs behind the Franklin United Methodist Church. This event is FREE. All are welcome. Candy and prizes will be provided. Please bring your own basket or bag to put eggs in.
To share this event with your Facebook friends, click https://fb.me/e/1pMpDI7L4.
Holy Humor Sunday (Sunday, April 7, 10-11a)
Join us for worship the Sunday following Easter at 10a as we celebrate holy humor Sunday. On this day we celebrate that God’s love overcomes sin and death; in fact, God has the final laugh against such things.. This service includes a few good jokes (and several corny jokes) and will gather in-person at the church, in-person virtually using Google Meet, and stream on YouTube. Joining information and worship materials will be made available on the church website ahead of the service. Bring a friend and a G-rated joke to share with others.