Ash Wednesday Service: Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the forty day season of Lent in the Christian Year. Lent comes form the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which means “spring”, and this season is a preparation for celebrating Easter. The Ash Wednesday Service emphasizes a dual encounter: we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within the community of faith. The form and content of the service focus on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God’s redeeming love and grace for us in Jesus Christ.
Held on Ash Wednesday in the Sanctuary at 6:15 p.m.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
Maunday Thursday: On this night we commemorate the supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and instituted the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion).
Held on Thursday prior to Easter Sunday in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday: This service is an observance of Jesus crucifixion and death upon the cross. The passion narrative from Holy Scripture is read and prayers and hymns are offered.
Held on Friday prior to Easter Sunday in the Chapel at 12 noon.
Easter Sunday Services: Easter Sunday is when we observe with great joy and thanksgiving the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after a long season of Lent and the Holy Week journey. The Easter Season, also known at the Great Fifty Days, begins at sunset on Easter Eve and continues through the Day of Pentecost. This season is the most celebrative and joyous season of the Christian Year.
Service times are 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Christmas is a season of praise and thanksgiving for the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ, which begins with Christmas Eve or Day. We experience many opportunities for worship on Christmas Eve at MMC including two full candlelight communion services in our sanctuary as well as special time of come-and-go communion services in our chapel.
Candlelight and Communion Services are held at 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Come and Go Communion is held in the Chapel from 4:00 p.m to 6:30 p.m.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Each year on the first Thursday in May our nation and our church observe the National Day of Prayer. This is a time when we the people of our nation come together united in prayer on this special day to pray for our nation, our government leaders, our churches, and our families. Our church observes the National Day of Prayer with a worship and prayer service at 12 noon, followed by a light, complimentary lunch in the Fellowship Hall. The service includes a guest speaker and special music. Also, we have a twelve hour prayer vigil that day, when members of our congregation sign-up to pray, especially for our nation, for 15 minute segments during the day.