What is Holy Week?

In Holy Week worship, Christians journey from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, from Christ's entry into Jerusalem to the resurrection. On Palm Sunday, Jesus is hailed as a conquering king ("Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord"), illustrating a part of the confusion that pervaded Jesus' life. Would he usher in the kingdom of God in its fullness right now, or only later? On Thursday Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples and instituted the Lord's Supper, feeding the traitor Judas along with the other disciples. On Friday Jesus died a horrible death by crucifixion on Golgotha and was buried. Christians believe that Jesus' death was not a mere expiration, but a heroic sacrifice of himself to win atonement "for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Holy Week sermons and worship can touch on all of these ideas and more.

How do I plan a worship service for Holy Week?

Some congregations may hold a number of services this week, including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Vigil. Others may choose to hold only a single service between Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday and Easter morning, weaving together themes related to each of Jesus' last days.

When is Holy Week?

Holy Week is the week between Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday and Easter.

What colors could be used for Holy Week?

Colors for Holy Week can change throughout the week. They can be purple (from Lent) or red; on Good Friday, they can be black. They can also be white, the color for Easter.

What objects or symbols could be used for Holy Week?

Throughout the week, we can remember various stories from scripture, many of which have symbols or objects.

On Thursday, we can remember Jesus washing his disciples' feet and therefore, use a bowl of water, pitcher, and/or towel to remember this story. Additionally, we can remember the story of the last supper, making bread and juice fitting symbols to remember Jesus' final meal with his disciples and remember how he broke his bread and body for us.

On Friday, we remember the cross on which Christ died. We can remember the darkness of that day, all tangible symbols to help our congregations remember the stories of Jesus' death. 

What themes could be used for Holy Week?

• washing the disciples' feet and "Love one another" (See Maundy Thursday)
• the Last Supper and proclaiming Jesus' death (See Salvation in Christ by grace and Maundy Thursday)
• Jesus in Gethsemane and the suffering servant (see Good Friday)
• sacrificial love (See Sacrificial love)
• salvation in Christ by grace (See Salvation in Christ by grace)
• Jesus' burial and waiting (See Holy Saturday)

Bible passage ideas for Holy Week

Holy Week narratives

• Matthew 21–27
• Mark 11–15
• Luke 19–23
• John 12–19

Significant events

• John 12:12–16, Jesus enters Jerusalem
• John 12:20–26, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified"
• Matthew 26:14–16, Judas's betrayal
• Matthew 26:26–30, the Last Supper
• Mark 14:32–36, Jesus in Gethsemane
• Mark 15:25–28, Jesus crucified
• Mark 15:33–34, Jesus cries out
• Mark 15:52–57, Jesus' burial

Love one another

• John 15:1–17, love each other and bear fruit
• Ephesians 4–5, walk in love
• Hebrews 10:19–25, spur one another on toward love
• 1 John 4:7–21, let us love one another

Sacrificial love

• Genesis 22:1–14, the binding of Isaac
• Lamentations 3, ceaseless love amid suffering
• John 10:14–18, the shepherd lays down his life
• 1 John 3:16; 4:7–21, God's love is revealed in Jesus
• Hebrews 4:14–5:10, Christ is both high priest and sacrifice

Salvation in Christ by grace

• Genesis 3:14–15, the woman's offspring will crush the serpent's head
• Acts 13:16–41, God's salvation of Israel
• Romans 3:21–26, righteousness through faith
• Romans 8:1–17, set free in Christ
• 1 Corinthians 1:17–21, the power of the cross
• Galatians 3:1–14, redeemed from the curse
• Ephesians 2:13–22, reconciliation through the cross
• Philippians 2:5–11, obedience unto death
• Colossians 1:19–23, peace through the cross
• Colossians 2:13–15, trespasses nailed to the cross
• Hebrews 2:5–9, Jesus the representative human
• Hebrews 10:1–25, the body of Christ once for all
• 1 Peter 1:10–20, ransomed with the blood of Christ
• Revelation 5:6–14, the Lamb who was slain

Death and resurrection

Catholic monks often read the book of Lamentations during Holy Week. The death of Jesus can be compared to fall of the city of Jerusalem. In each case the center of our life has been assailed and ruined.

Sermon ideas for Holy Week

"This [Palm Sunday] message prepares for Holy Week and focuses on the ways in which Jesus was different from typical rulers are celebrities. He did not come to be famous, but to serve humbly and lay down His life." Kristin Schmidt from Ministry to Children 

"'Holy Week' for Christians has been and is just that, the holiest of weeks in our liturgical calendar. Through the liturgies of Holy Week, we experience a tradition that is centuries old." Eric Cooter from Ministry Matters

"This week is not the week to think that you can preach your way into people's hearts or to imagine that you can turn people's hearts around. You have to trust that the whole of the experience just might do that. That the suffering, love-giving, and crucified Christ might very well preach what you cannot." Karoline M. Lewis from Working Preacher

"God, as we move through this week, give us the gifts of concentration, of focus, and of empathy, as we seek to determine where your astonishing story, which is at once so familiar and yet so incredible, fits with our own narratives." Rebecca Sharpless from re:Worship

Find other sermon ideas for Holy Week on Zeteosearch.org.