ALL ARE INVITED!
2025 Lenten & Easter Sunday Worship
Sundays
10:45 am
In-person or LIVE on Facebook
Franklin First Lenten Information & Activites
Ash Wednesday Service
March 5th is the beginning of Lent and Ash Wednesday. We will have a short Imposition of Ashes service at 6:30 pm that evening to serve as a time of repentance and remembrance.
Lent continues through Holy Saturday, April 19th, a time of preparation and spiritual retrospection as we bear in mind Christ’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins.
Lenten Sermon Series
Join us this Lent for our sermon series, "The Symbols of the Passion," as we journey through the powerful symbols that represent the final days of Jesus' earthly ministry. Each Sunday, we'll explore themes such as the cross, the 30 pieces of silver, Pilate's judgment seat, and the empty tomb, deepening our understanding of Christ's sacri
Join us this Lent for our sermon series, "The Symbols of the Passion," as we journey through the powerful symbols that represent the final days of Jesus' earthly ministry. Each Sunday, we'll explore themes such as the cross, the 30 pieces of silver, Pilate's judgment seat, and the empty tomb, deepening our understanding of Christ's sacrifice and love.
This series will culminate in the joyous celebration of Easter, reminding us of the hope and redemption found in the resurrection. We invite you to reflect, pray, and prepare your hearts with us during this sacred season. Come and be inspired by the profound meaning behind these symbols and draw closer to Christ and our church community.
Lenten Practices
There are traditionally three main practices in the Christian faith for a proper observance of Lent. They include prayer, fasting, and giving alms. Let’s explore them a bit.
Lenten Bible Study
Mark your calendars for this year’s Lenten Bible study on the book “The Message of Jesus” written by Rev. Adam Hamilton.
This six week study will run on Sunday evenings beginning at 5:30 p.m.,
March 9, 16, 23, 30.
Our time will start with a light meal followed by a lesson.
What did Jesus actually teach? What sayings have been attributed
Mark your calendars for this year’s Lenten Bible study on the book “The Message of Jesus” written by Rev. Adam Hamilton.
This six week study will run on Sunday evenings beginning at 5:30 p.m.,
March 9, 16, 23, 30.
Our time will start with a light meal followed by a lesson.
What did Jesus actually teach? What sayings have been attributed to him that he never said? Our curriculum will focus on Jesus’ words concerning:
1. The Kingdom of God
2. The Sermon on the Mount
3. The parables
4. The “I am” sayings in the Gospel of John
5. Jesus’ final words
6. The resurrection and the life
Pastor Laura will lead the class. Please sign up with link below or
through the office so that we have adequate materials prepared. We will use handouts in class. If you would like to purchase the book, it is available on Amazon.
The Noisy Bucket Returns
During Lent beginning March 9th, our children will once again be collecting change in the Noisy Bucket to benefit Heifer International. This program provides animals to impoverished families around the world to give them a hand up to supplement their income and better their community. Friends, you are invited to start hoarding your chan
During Lent beginning March 9th, our children will once again be collecting change in the Noisy Bucket to benefit Heifer International. This program provides animals to impoverished families around the world to give them a hand up to supplement their income and better their community. Friends, you are invited to start hoarding your change. Our smiling children will be asking you to contribute during Worship later this month.
Holy Week Services
Join us for all or any of our Holy Week Services.
Palm Sunday - 10:45 am
Maundy Thursday - 7 pm
Good Friday - 7 pm
Easter Sunday - 10:45 am
All Services are in-person & Live on Facebook.
Thinking about joining us for Lent or Easter?
We'd love to welcome you!
Whether you're exploring faith or looking for a church home, our services are a place to find community and experience the hope of Easter.
Come experience the hope and joy of Easter with us!
Sundays at 10:45 am & Holy Week Services at 7 pm
March 9 - The Cross
March 30 – Pilate’s Judgment Seat, the Roman Whip, the Purple Robe & Crown of Thorns
March 16 – Blood Money (30 Pieces of Silver)
Explore with us the profound significance of the cross, the ultimate symbol of Christ's sacrifice and love for humanity.
March 16 – Blood Money (30 Pieces of Silver)
March 30 – Pilate’s Judgment Seat, the Roman Whip, the Purple Robe & Crown of Thorns
March 16 – Blood Money (30 Pieces of Silver)
Reflect on the betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver and its implications for our understanding of loyalty and redemption.
March 23 – The Sanhedrin
March 30 – Pilate’s Judgment Seat, the Roman Whip, the Purple Robe & Crown of Thorns
March 30 – Pilate’s Judgment Seat, the Roman Whip, the Purple Robe & Crown of Thorns
Delve into the role of the Sanhedrin in Jesus' trial and the challenges of standing firm in faith amidst opposition.
March 30 – Pilate’s Judgment Seat, the Roman Whip, the Purple Robe & Crown of Thorns
March 30 – Pilate’s Judgment Seat, the Roman Whip, the Purple Robe & Crown of Thorns
March 30 – Pilate’s Judgment Seat, the Roman Whip, the Purple Robe & Crown of Thorns
Examine the symbols of Pilate’s judgment, the Roman whip, the purple robe, and the crown of thorns, and their representation of Jesus' suffering and kingship.
April 6 – Golgotha & the Tomb for the Lenten Courtroom
Service at 7 pm Maundy Thursday April 17 – Basin & Towel, Passover Meal, Gethsemane
Palm Sunday April 13 – The Donkey, Palm Branches & Cleansing of the Temple
Contemplate the significance of Golgotha and the tomb, where Jesus' crucifixion and burial took place, leading to the hope of resurrection.
Palm Sunday April 13 – The Donkey, Palm Branches & Cleansing of the Temple
Service at 7 pm Maundy Thursday April 17 – Basin & Towel, Passover Meal, Gethsemane
Palm Sunday April 13 – The Donkey, Palm Branches & Cleansing of the Temple
Celebrate Palm Sunday by reflecting on the symbols of the donkey, palm branches, and the cleansing of the temple, highlighting Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and His call for purity.
Service at 7 pm Maundy Thursday April 17 – Basin & Towel, Passover Meal, Gethsemane
Service at 7 pm Maundy Thursday April 17 – Basin & Towel, Passover Meal, Gethsemane
Service at 7 pm Maundy Thursday April 17 – Basin & Towel, Passover Meal, Gethsemane
Reflect on the symbols of Maundy Thursday, including the basin and towel, the Passover meal, and Gethsemane, representing Jesus' humility, sacrifice, and prayerful submission.
Service at 7 pm Good Friday April 18 – Darkness & Temple Curtain
Service at 7 pm Maundy Thursday April 17 – Basin & Towel, Passover Meal, Gethsemane
Service at 7 pm Maundy Thursday April 17 – Basin & Towel, Passover Meal, Gethsemane
Meditate on the symbols of darkness and the temple curtain torn in two, signifying the profound impact of Jesus' death on the cross.
Easter Sunday at 10:45 am
Easter Sunday - April 20 The Empty Tomb
Celebrate the joyous culmination of our Lenten journey with the powerful symbol of the empty tomb.
On Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which signifies the ultimate victory over sin and death. The empty tomb is a profound testament to the hope and promise of eternal life that Jesus offers to all who believe.
As we gather to worship, we will reflect on the transformative power of the resurrection and its impact on our lives today.
Join us for a service filled with uplifting hymns, inspiring messages, and a renewed sense of hope and joy as we proclaim, "Christ the Lord is risen today!"
Let us come together to celebrate this glorious event and embrace the new life that Jesus' resurrection brings.
Lenten Practices
Three Main Practices
There are traditionally three main practices in the Christian faith for a proper observance of Lent. They include prayer, fasting, and giving alms. Let’s explore them a bit.
Prayer – In Wayne Muller’s book “Learning to Pray,” he pictures prayer as “a doorway into heaven on earth” in which our minds, hearts, and senses are attuned to God’s presence all around us. Prayer is not a one-and-done daily activity, but a focus on how God is present and communicating with us throughout the day. Lent is an especially appropriate time for reconciliation: getting our hearts right with God and with one another.
Fasting – Many of us grew up giving up a food item during Lent: sweets, soda, meat, etc. Fasting is a giving up OR taking up something as a form of self-discipline. We can fast as well from busyness, negativity, verbal insults, emotional stuffing of feelings, and electronics. We can take up practices such as kindness, Bible reading, outreach activities, etc. as a way of growing spiritually.
Alms-giving – God’s command to give to others is a lifestyle that takes on special significance during Lent. We can share our resources, our time, and our talents with those who are in need. We can work in areas of social justice, compassion care, and providing basic needs. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
