The history of Holy Week (the time between Palm Sunday and Easter) observances in the Christian church traces back to 2nd century Jerusalem, where Christians reenacted Jesus’ Passion, beginning with intense fasting on Good Friday/Saturday and evolving by the 4th century to a full week’s observance. This week, known by some as the “Great Week,” incorporated rituals like Palm Sunday processions and the Easter Vigil, which was the central night for observing baptism and the Eucharist. This evolution resulted in separating the various events of the final week of Jesus’ life and commemorating them on the days on which they occurred.

The observance of Holy Week at Smoke Rise Baptist Church is built upon these traditions and is designed to be a rich and meaningful time of worship in our own church as we commemorate the last week of Christ’s ministry on earth.

Holy Week 2026 at Smoke Rise will begin with the jubilant hosannas of Palm Sunday which observes Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, described in all four gospels. Immediately following that event, Jesus begins His journey to the cross.

Our observance will move through the week to Maundy Thursday (“maundy” from the Latin for mandate or commandment) which will include a solemn observance of communion, commemorating the Last Supper, where Christ with His disciples laid out the model for Holy Communion. During that meal, Jesus predicted the events that would immediately follow, including His betrayal, Peter’s denial and His own death and resurrection.

Our own observance of Maundy Thursday will be especially significant this year as our Sanctuary Choir will present a newly written choral work entitled Still Reaching. This service will be streamed at smokerisebaptist.org/maundy-thursday/.

The celebration of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the three days which include Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

On Good Friday, you are invited to a non-directed time of personal meditation in our chapel which will be open from 8:30AM to 8:00PM.

Our traditional Easter Sunday observance will be a joyful celebration of the resurrection of Jesus as we join with churches all across Christendom.

– Clarissa Strickland, Smoke Rise Member