Celebrate Lent, Holy Week and Easter

At the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (PCCT), the season of Lent is filled with a number of distinctive worship services to reflect on and prepare for one of the most meaningful times of the year, Holy Week and Easter. There is something for everyone, and all are welcome to attend these events at 240 Southern Boulevard.

Lent – Wednesdays, March 6 – April 10, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Each Wednesday in Lent, PCCT offers an opportunity for education, fellowship, and worship for the entire family.

From 6:00 – 6:50 p.m. The Reverend Heather Morrison Yaden and The Reverend Tom Brown will lead a discussion based on the book, Final Words from the Cross, by Adam Hamilton, an examination into Christ’s final words spoken from the cross and their relevance for our lives of faith today. Themes of forgiveness, salvation, devotion, abandonment, grief, and hope will be explored each week and supplemented by a video presentation from the author, providing rich material for conversation.

At 7:00 p.m., families then gather for a Soup Supper, a time to share a homemade soup dinner and fellowship. A Lenten worship service will follow at 7:30 p.m. Nursery care is available. All are welcome to come for part or all of each week’s activities.

Palm Sunday – Sunday, April 14, 10:00 a.m.

A highlight of Palm Sunday is watching the children parade into worship holding palm branches, a reminder of what Jesus encountered when He arrived in Jerusalem. A long-time tradition at PCCT, the Easter Cross, a cross made from Christmas trees of previous years, will be displayed in the front of the sanctuary. A symbol for Holy Week, it is a reminder of how Jesus really died. “Kids Chat,” a combined Church School, is offered for children Kindergarten through 5th grade, and nursery care is available for infants through Pre-k.

Maundy Thursday – Thursday, April 18, 8:00 p.m.

Maundy Thursday is a special service to share in communion together while remembering that, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper the night before He died. All are invited to participate in communion.

Prayer Vigil – Thursday, April 18, 9:00 p.m. – Friday, April 19, 8:00 p.m.

Following the Maundy Thursday service through the evening of Good Friday, PCCT will hold a continuous Prayer Vigil. Alone in the sanctuary, the Prayer Vigil invites one to experience God’s presence, to find a quiet space to reflect, and to keep watch along with others during Jesus’ last hours of life. The Christ Candle remains burning throughout the vigil, and there is always someone in the sanctuary during these hours to “watch with Jesus.” Sign-ups for designated times to pray and meditate are available by contacting the church office.

Tenebrae Service on Good Friday – Friday, April 19, 8:00 p.m.

Tenebrae, a Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows,” is a service that moves from full light in a sanctuary and ends in total darkness, signifying the death of Jesus, the Light of the World, on Good Friday. When seven candles – representing the seven last words of Christ spoken while on the cross – are extinguished, the sanctuary becomes progressively darker. Only the Christ Candle remains lighted. Then it too is extinguished as the congregation departs in darkness and silence. All are welcome to attend this very powerful service.

Easter – Sunday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Two Easter worship services will be offered to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ through glorious music, scriptures and sermon. Special music includes singing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah where everyone is invited to join in. “Kids Chat,” a combined Church School, is available for children Kindergarten through 5th grades, and nursery care is provided for infants through Pre-k.

Directly following the 11:00 a.m. service, the much-anticipated annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on the front lawn (weather permitting). Over 500 Easter Eggs dot the grassy field ready for children to collect. Bring a basket and a camera for this fun-filled family event.

The Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township is a vibrant, multi-generational congregation that celebrates the glory of God through faith, fellowship and service. Drawing members from three counties and more than 20 communities, it welcomes all, whether you are a young family, a single adult, or a couple with grown children. The congregation reflects diverse perspectives, provides rich music and education programs for all ages, and through social outreach addresses hunger, homelessness and recovery from disasters or other crises. Follow PCCT on Facebook and Instagram to see the church in action. For more information, visit http://www.pcct-nj.org or call 973-635-2340.