Easter 2023

We invite you during this Holy Week to join us for these livestream and in-person worship experiences!

Join us for some much-beloved services, such as a re-enactment of Christ's last night and Envisioning the Passion, along with a new joint Seven Last Words service at Baber AME Church on Good Friday. While we are grateful to be physically together again, we recognize that not all of our congregation is local or able to come to our campus. To include our siblings from around the world, we will be live streaming all of the services.

Holy Week Services Holy Week Special Events Holy Week Extras 
Lenten Devotional Easter Altar Donation Form

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Holy Week Services

*Childcare is available at these services | LS services will be livestreamed
 

Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 2

11 am* SERVICE LS — Traditional service celebrating Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 6

7 pm* — Silent meditation

7:30 pm* SERVICE LS — Worship begins with communion and a candlelight re-enactment of Christ's last night, ending with the placement of the cross on the East Avenue lawn by our Christ-figure.
 

Good Friday

Friday, April 7

12 pm* SERVICE LS Envisioning the Passion Holy Week- themed art and choral music. A beloved Asbury First tradition.

5–6:30 pm Good Friday Family Night — A come-when-you-wish child-friendly event with communion, a labyrinth walk, and prayer stations.

7 pm Seven Last Words SERVICE at Baber AME Church — Hosted by the Rev. James Simmons and Baber AME Church (550 Meigs St, Rochester, NY 14607), the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady and Rev. Jackie Nelson will be participating in a joint sermon about texts of Jesus' final words from the cross.

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 9

9 am* SERVICE — Traditional service celebrating Easter Sunday

11 am* SERVICE LS — Traditional service celebrating Easter Sunday
 

Holy Week Special Events

Good Friday Family Night

Friday, April 7, 5–6:30 pm, Gathering Center 

Join us on Friday, April 7 any time between 5 and 6:30 pm in the Gathering Center for Family Prayer Night. This is a very special night. As a family, you can receive communion, walk the labyrinth, and participate in different activities that draw us closer as a family to God and our faith.

Envisioning the Passion

Friday, April 7, 12 pm, In-Person and Livestream

Asbury First's Good Friday service on April 7 at noon is a multimedia presentation of music and readings which are accompanied by large-screen projections of works of art that explore Christ's last hours. The service includes images selected by Lucy Winters Durkin, an Instructor in Art History at the Eastman School of Music; choral music; and organ music played by Duane Prill with Brian Donat joining on cello. Envisioning the Passion is always a powerful experience for all who attend.

This year's service explores the "Instruments of the Passion," the many emblems that remind us of episodes in Jesus' journey between Palm Sunday and Good Friday without any words. These rich and complex visual symbols traditionally are interpreted as the tools used by God to wage war against sin and the devil. The lessons interweave readings of scripture and related poetry, including a 9th century poem written in the voice of the cross itself.

Watch the "Closer Look" Video Here

Seven Last Words Service

Friday, April 7, 7 pm at Baber AME Church, 550 Meigs St, Rochester, NY 14607

Hosted by the Rev. James Simmons and Baber AME Church (550 Meigs St, Rochester, NY 14607), the Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady and Rev. Jackie Nelson will be participating in sermons about the texts of Jesus’s final words from the cross.

Easter Sunday Lunch

Sunday, April 9, 12–1 pm, 1010 Community Outreach Center

All are welcome to join us for the much anticipated re-opening of the Dining & Caring Center for a sit-down Easter Lunch. We are incredibly grateful to break bread together in community once again! The D&CC will now serve breakfast Wednesday–Friday from 7–9 am, and will serve lunch Sundays only from 12–1 pm. For more information, visit asburyfirst.org/coc.

Holy Week Extras

"Envisioning the Passion" — A Closer Look

Take some time to watch this video by Lucy Durkin, an Instructor in Art History at the Eastman School of Music, to learn more about the incredible pieces of artwork that will make up our "Envisioning the Passion" service on Good Friday at 12 pm. We hope to see you in person or on the live stream for our incredible Holy Week services.