Holy Week and Easter Events
Plan Your Visit
If you’ve never joined us at Zionsville UMC for a service, take a moment and read through our Welcome/Plan Your Visit section.
Palm Sunday (March 29, 9:30am & 11:00am)
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time of remembrance leading up to the celebration of Easter. It’s named for the moment when Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the crowds, full of excitement, waved palm branches and laid their cloaks on the road—like an ancient parade welcoming a king.
This Sunday, we celebrate the wonder of God’s surprises and the miracle to come—the miracle of Resurrection. Join us as we step into this sacred week together.
Maundy Thursday (April 2, 7:00pm in the ZUMC Chapel - enter through door 12)
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, marks the beginning of three days of solemn remembrance leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The name “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment,” referring to Jesus’ words in John 13:34: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
On this night, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, showing them what humble love looks like. He also shared a final meal with them, instituting what we now call Holy Communion.
Join us as we remember Maundy Thursday together at 7:00 PM, in person or on our Live Stream page.
Good Friday (April 3, 12:00pm in Bradley Chapel)
Good Friday is a day to remember God’s deep love and redemption through the cross of Jesus Christ. This was not a backup plan or a tragic accident—God was carrying out the plan of salvation for all people. We call it good because we see the crucifixion through the hope of Easter.
This year, we will introduce a new service at noon on Good Friday entitled “Prayers from the Garden.” This will be a time of singing, scripture reading, and silent meditation. As the Word unfolds, we will sing prayers of surrender, trust, anguish, and obedience. The Garden was a sacred space to linger, to listen, to pray. To remember that before redemption was accomplished… surrender was chosen.
We remember Good Friday at 12:00pm in-person or on our Live Stream page.
Good Friday (April 3, 6:30pm at St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church)
On Friday evening, we will gather with other Zionsville-area churches in order to remember together Christ’s offering for us all. This year’s service will reflect on the “Seven Last Words of Christ” upon the cross.
Easter Sunday (April 20, 9:30am and 11:15am)
Easter is all about new life. The story of Easter recounts how, when the world was lost in darkness and doubt, God intervened to do something new.
Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion. Remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way to renew daily hope that we have victory over sin.
We celebrate Easter at 9:30am and 11:15am. Please note second service on Easter starts 15 minutes later than our normal Sunday morning service. Both services will be available for in-person attendance or to watch online via our Live Stream page.
Lenten Offering - Family Promise of Indianapolis
“Together, we’re creating pathways from homelessness to stability.”
Family Promise of Indianapolis is a partnership of congregations and community organizations responding to the crisis of children and their families who are homeless. They work to eliminate homelessness in Greater Indianapolis.
The Lenten Offering from Zionsville UMC will support the Stabilization Program of Family Promise. Stabilization reduces the risk of housing insecurity and reentry into homelessness. This is voluntary for families and can be implemented anywhere in the continuum. Components of Stabilization include: consistent, ongoing case management, financial capability program, life skills class, housing payments and support, workforce development, and health and wellness programs.