UPPER LAKE, Calif. – For the Upper Lake Community United Methodist Church, 604 Clover Valley Road in the town of Upper Lake, the week preceding Easter is known as Holy week.

It begins on Palm Sunday, April 9, and is traditionally a week of somber reflection on the events that lead up to Jesus’ death.

On Palm Sunday at 11 a.m. they celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where the people laid palm branches on the road to welcome Him as He rode a donkey into the city. Palm branches will be prevalent in the sanctuary on this day.

On April 13 at 6 p.m. they celebrate the next event of Holy week, Maundy Thursday (also called Holy Thursday) when we commemorate the Last Supper – a Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples the night before his death.

At the meal, Jesus broke the bread and offered his followers wine, saying, “This is my body, given for you. During the Last Super Jesus predicted the events that would follow, including his betrayal, the denial of Peter, and his death and resurrection. Communion will be served at this service which will be held in the church fellowship hall.”

Friday April 14, Good Friday, is a day of mourning for the church. During this brief but moving evening service (7 p.m.) they meditate on Jesus’ suffering and death.

This service is based on the seven last words of Jesus on the cross which begins with “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” and ends with “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

On Easter Sunday, April 16, they will celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. The SONrise service is scheduled to start at 6 a.m. Breakfast will be served after the service. They return again at 11 a.m. for the regular Easter Day service and the flowering of the cross.

Learn to love the Bible and Jesus through Pastor Bob’s inspirational sermons whose thoughts, actions and messages to the congregation always come from the heart.

All are welcome to attend any of the Holy week services or the regular Sunday worship service at 11 a.m.

The United Methodist Church motto is “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors,” and “Passion for Christ, Compassion for all.”