Resources on holy week

Resource Guide on Holy Week

Holy Week is the journey from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, from Christ’s entry into Jerusalem to the resurrection. It moves through the entire arc from the Last Supper, Judas’s betrayal of Jesus, Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the journey to Golgotha, Jesus’ crucifixion, his burial, and his resurrection.

Holy Week Hymn Vesper Service

David Cherwien | Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Song or Hymn, Benediction or Blessing, Closing Prayer

Video of a vesper service led by David Cherwien and Awet Andemicael, in which participants sang the story of the events that unfolded from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, interspersed with scripture readings. (Length: 53:50)

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Crucifixion, Hymn, Resurrection

Between Palm Sunday and Good Friday

James Iley McCord | Princeton Theological Commons

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

An audio-recorded sermon on Mark 11:12-19 given at Princeton Theological Seminary, during Holy Week, 1979. It addresses an audience of church leaders about Jesus, the fig tree, and their own vocation.

Mark 11:12-19

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Palm Sunday, Prayer, Pastoral Leadership

The Fight Between Carnival and Lent

Daniella Zsupan-Jerome | Loyola Press

Artwork, Article about Worship and the Sacraments

Based on the painting, "The Fight Between Carnival and Lent" by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, this blog reflects on seeing the hand of God at work when the spiritual and the secular clash.

Joel 2:13

See more resources like this

Ash Wednesday, Lent, Confession, Baptism

Holy Week

Kenneth Semon | Religion & Ethics Newsweekly

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

This video from PBS documents the celebration schedule of Holy Week in two congregations of New Mexico. During Holy Week “pilgrimage becomes a metaphor for life,” says Rev. Kenneth Semon.

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Easter, Jesus, Liturgy

Holy Week Celebrations

Bob Abernethy | Religion & Ethics Newsweekly

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

This video interview features pastors from all over the United States walking through the events of Holy Week, explaining the meaning of the practices, and unpacking their significance to the celebration of Christ's resurrection.

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday

Holy Week in Community: Worship Matters

Cynthia Wilson | Discipleship Ministries

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

A podcast hosted led Cynthia Wilson focused on the intricacies of planning worship. In this podcast Wilson focuses on preparing and creating services that are culturally relevant for Holy Week with suggestions on involving community.

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Culture, Ministry, Service

Following Christ in Holy Week

Robert Arakaki | Ancient Faith Blogs

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

In this article from the Orthodox tradition, Robert Arakaki introduces and outlines the various services during Holy Week in the Orthodox Church, linking them to a discipleship that follows Christ closely.

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Orthodox Church, Discipleship, Pascha

Some Lessons from Holy Week

Bill Olnhausen | Ancient Faith Blogs

Article about Worship and the Sacraments, Article about Scripture

In this article from the Orthodox tradition, Fr. Bill Olnhausen looks at some things about Holy Week that can be easily missed. Included are videos of several sample Holy Week liturgies.

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Religion, Resurrection, Orthodox Church

Paperless Music for Holy Week

Global Worship

Song or Hymn

This article introduces "paperless music," a term for songs primarily taught through oral methods, without a focus on staring at the written score. It includes several paperless music songs for Holy Week.

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Singing, Music, Worship

Passion Week: Music, Theology & More

Global Worship

Song or Hymn, Service Outline or Song Suggestions

Holy Week Resources: Several theology articles, including "Why Did Jesus Have to Die?," devotionals, visual Lectio Divina, a Bible study on Romans and "transformation under grace," artwork, a drama script for Psalm 22:1-11, 22-29, and more....

Psalm 22:1-11, 22-29; Romans 7

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Theology, Passion Of Jesus Christ In The Four Gospels, God

Holy Week: Worship Matters

Cynthia Wilson | Discipleship Ministries

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

A podcast led by Cynthia Wilson focused on the intricacies of planning worship. Wilson discusses how the two high holy days of Easter and Palm Sunday can be powerful expressions of our faith. (Length: 37:28)

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Easter, Palm Sunday, Worship Planning

Holy Wednesday Morning Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Bill Olnhausen | Ancient Faith Blogs

Article about Worship and the Sacraments, Article about Scripture

This worship planning resource from the Orthodox tradition introduces the Holy Wednesday Morning Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, which focuses on the role of Judas Iscariot in the gospel story of Holy Week.

Matthew 26:6-16

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Orthodox Church, Judas Iscariot

Search Results for "holy week" on Hymnary.org

O Lord, Who Through This Holy WeekPD
O Love, How DeepPD

Ah, Holy JesusPD
See more hymns...

Holy Week Observances

Kim Lawton | Religion & Ethics Newsweekly

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

Drawing on various Christian traditions, this video interview describes many observances that Christians employ to remember Jesus' work from Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Easter, Good Friday, Maundy Thursday

A Choral Lenten Devotion for Holy Week

John Rutter | Global Worship

Song or Hymn, Service Outline or Song Suggestions

A full recording of a choral lenten devotion service for Holy Week, where Matthew's account of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Christ (Matthew 26-27) are read, interspersed with choral music. (Length: 01:23:34)

Matthew 26:1-5, 20-68, 27:1-2, 11-54

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Choral, Crucifixion, Lent

Music of Holy Week: Holy Saturday

Carolyn Pirtle | Church Life Journal

Article about Music

Tomás Luis de la Victoria's Recessit Pastor Noster, written for a Tenebrae service for Holy Saturday, mourns the death of the Good Shepherd who has laid down his life for his sheep.

See more resources like this

Holy Saturday, Music, Darkness, Tenebrae

Holy Week Art

Jes Kast | The Twelve

Scripture Meditation or Sermon, Artwork, Poetry

Through images, sculpture, and poetry, Jes Kast reflects on Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12-19), washing the disciples' feet (John 13:1-11), and commission to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection (John 20:17-18).

John 12:12-19, 13:1-11, 20:17-18

See more resources like this

Feminism, Foot-washing, Mary Magdalene, Saint, Palm Sunday

Holy Tuesday

Victoria Emily Jones | Art & Theology

Song or Hymn, Artwork

This devotional reflection for Holy Tuesday pairs John 12:23-36 with the painting, "Wheat Field," by John Rogers Cox (1915-1990) and a video of the 1995 song, “Glorify,” by Joe Kurtz and Josh Compton.

John 12:23-36

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Parables, Devotion, Wheat

Holy Tuesday Evening Bridegroom Matins

Bill Olnhausen | Ancient Faith Blogs

Article about Worship and the Sacraments, Article about Scripture

This worship planning resource from the Orthodox tradition introduces the Holy Tuesday Evening Bridegroom Matins, which focuses on John 12:17-50 where Jesus sums up his ministry and identity in a most heart-wrenchingly human way.

John 12:17-50

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Orthodox Church, Matins, Bridegroom

Classic Holy Week Collection

Shift Worship | The Skit Guys

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

Collection of backgrounds for Holy Week Services; Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. This collection includes images of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, preaching, washing feet, cross, and resurrection.

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Easter, Good Friday, Resurrection

Holy Saturday for the Reformed and/or Task-Oriented

Debra Rienstra | The Twelve

Service Outline or Song Suggestions, Prayer, Article about Worship and the Sacraments

Debra Rienstra offers reflection and liturgy for Holy Saturday including readings, prayers, and ritual actions.

See more resources like this

Holy Week, Holy Saturday, Silence, Liturgy