Blessed Lent & Happy Easter

This year Lent begins on February 14th with Ash Wednesday
Holy Week begins on Sunday, March 24th with Palm Sunday and ends on March 31st with Easter Sunday

Holy Week commemorates the end of Jesus’s ministry when he enters Jerusalem for the last time. According to Christian tradition, during the week Jesus enters Jerusalem with joyous celebration, eats a last supper with his followers, is arrested and abandoned by most of his followers, beaten, crucified, buried in a tomb, and then on the third day he is resurrected from the dead. Holy Week is the culmination of Lent, a 40-day commemoration of Jesus’s time in the desert, fasting and praying for 40 days and nights. 

Please note: in Orthodox Christianity, the Holy Week runs Sunday April 12th--Sunday April 19th, with a similar flow of observance days and a stricter fasting practice is often followed during Lent.

2024 Holy Week Events

Join the Wesley Center's Christian Campus Ministry (CCM) student group and Hamline Church for the following Holy Week events:

• Tuesday, February 14th, 11-12PM:  Ash Wednesday Imposition of Ashes , Chaplain Kelly and Hamline Church Pastor Heather, Hamline University Anderson Patio

• Thursdays, Weekly Holy Communion, 8:15AM in the Gathering Place, 130 Sorin (*Except during Spring Break)

• Sunday, March 24th, 10am | Palm/Passion Sunday Worship at Hamline Church

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This week worship begins on the front steps of the church as we wave our palm branches and shout, “Hosanna!” and then process together into the sanctuary. Our beloved tradition of Palm Pretzel Sunday continues with help from our Brick Oven Team! 

• Thursday, March 28th, 6pm | Maundy Thursday at Hamline Church: Potluck and Service of the Word, Holy Communion, & Tenebrae
  Potluck dinner in the community room at 6:00pm 
Sanctuary worship (livestream at approx 7:00pm at hamlinechurch.org/live-stream) 
Worship begins with a meal or remembrance in the Community Room and then concludes with a Tenebrae service in the sanctuary. 

• Friday, March 29th, 11am | Good Friday at Hamline University, The Gathering Place, 130 Sorin Hall

• Sunday, March 31st, 10am | Easter Worship & Celebration at Hamline Church
  Worship at 10:00am. Prelude music begins at 9:45am. After worship join us for an Easter egg scavenger hunt on the front lawn and delicious treats including hot cross buns from the brick oven.

Information and Resources about Holy Week

Important 2024 Dates:

• February 14th:  Ash Wednesday, the season of Lent begins

• March 24th:  Palm Sunday, commemorates the entry of Jesus and his followers into Jerusalem.

• March 28th: Maundy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper. 

• March 29th: Good Friday, commemorates the execution and burial of Jesus.  

• March 30th: Holy Saturday, the last day of the Lenten Season commemorates the day of mourning between the crucifixion and the resurrection.

• March 31st: Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus.

Important Practices:

• During Lent, Christians may choose to fast. For example, in the Catholic tradition, many practitioners do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent.

• Observant practitioners most likely will be focusing on participating in Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.

• Please note: in Orthodox Christianity, the Holy Week runs Sunday April 28th--Saturday May 4th and Easter will be on Sunday May 5th, with a similar flow of observance days and a stricter fasting practice is often followed during Lent.

• Easter Sunday is a day of celebration with family and faith communities.

Informational and Devotional Resources:

• Pluralism Project: "Ash Wednesday to Easter"

• Information on Lent and Easter (UMC)

• Holy Week Daily Devotionals (UMC)

Hamline University Worship, Prayer, and Sacred Event Spaces

To reserve time in the following spaces, please email Chaplain Kelly at chaplain@hamline.edu:

• The Gathering Place, 130 Sorin Hall

• The Wellspring, 3rd Floor of Anderson

If you would like additional guidance or information, please contact Chaplain Kelly Figueroa-Ray at chaplain@hamline.edu.