Welcome to the Haymarket Church Holy Week/Easter Week devotional page.
Holy Week is perhaps the most sacred part of the Christian year. During this time we tell the most important story in the history of the universe – the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This year, in order to help you experience that story more fully, we have put together a set of devotional readings. Each entry was written by a pastor or Christian scholar. We will be sending links to the day’s post by text or email each day – the text will come at about 7 AM and the email will come sometime before 6 AM.
We hope this devotional helps you experience Holy Week and Easter more deeply this year – even as we are unable to be together.
Resurrection #8: Messing Up Your Routine
Saturday, April 19, #8: John 21:1-14 (We recommend you read this passage in full before reading the devotion.) Written by Rev. Sarah Locke, Pastor of Hickory United Methodist Church, Chesapeake John 21: 1-14 Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at…
Resurrection #7: Recognizing Christ
Saturday, April 18, #7: John 20:19-29 (We recommend you read this passage in full before reading the devotion.) Written by Rev. Dr. Joe Lenow, Assistant Professor of Religion at Creighton University You know, I must have read this story a hundred times, and I don’t…
Resurrection #6: While It Was Still Dark
Friday, April 17, #6: John 20:1-18 (We recommend you read this passage in full before reading the devotion.) Written by Rev. Lauren Lobenhofer, Pastor, Cave Spring United Methodist Church “While It Was Still Dark” In many churches, Easter celebrations begin with a…
Resurrection #5: A God Who Eats Fish
Thursday, April 16, #5: Luke 24:36-49 (We recommend you read this passage in full before reading the devotion.) Written by Rev. Abi Foerster, Pastor of St. Thomas United Methodist Church in Manassas Luke 24:41 – 43 (CEB) — Because they were wondering and…
Resurrection #4: The Interrupting Stranger
Wednesday, April 15, #4: Luke 24:13-35 (We recommend you read this passage in full before reading the devotion.) Written by Rev. Dan Kim, Pastor of Gum Spring United Methodist Church Luke 24:13-35, New International Version (NIV) 13 Now that same day two of them…
Resurrection #3: Easter Frees Us
Tuesday, April 14, #3: Luke 24:1-12 (We recommend you read this passage in full before reading the devotion.) Written by Rev. Matt Benton, Pastor of Spirit & Life United Methodist Church, Montclair. Luke 24:1-6a “On the first day of the week, very early in…
Resurrection #2: Risen But Unseen
Monday, April 13, #2: Mark 16:1-8 Written by Dr. Ashleigh Elser, Assistant Professor of Religion, Hampden-Sydney College Mark 16:1-8 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint…
Resurrection #1: Endings and Beginnings
Sunday, April 12, #1: Matthew 28:1-20 (We recommend you read this passage in full before reading the devotion.) Written by Rev. Lindsey Baynham, Director of Clergy Excellence, Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church Perhaps one of the most divisive…
The Seventh Word: Into your hands I commit my spirit
Saturday, April 11, #7: Luke 23:46: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Written by Rev. Michelle Matthews, pastor of the Kingstowne Communion in Alexandria. “Committing Our Breath” “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.” – Luke 23:46 I remember the…
The Sixth Word: It Is Finished
Friday, April 10, #6: John 19:30: “It is finished.” Written by Rev. Jonathan Page, Pastor of Herndon United Methodist Church. John 19:30 (CEB) — When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed.” Bowing his head, he gave up his life. Generally,…
The Fifth Word: I Thirst
Thursday, April 9, #5: John 19:28: “I Thirst.” Written by Rev. Grace Han, Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Alexandria Recently, my dad was hostialized for heart issues. For the first couple of days, his body was so weak that he could barely talk. And…
The Fourth Word: Why Have You Forsaken Me
Wednesday, April 8, #4: Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Written by Brian Johnson, Pastor of Haymarket Church “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone…
The Third Word: “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother”
Tuesday, April 7, #3: John 19:26–27: “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother” Written by Rev. Dr. Anna Petrin, Associate Professor of Worship and Chapel Elder, Wesley Theological Seminary (DC) “The Goodness of Good Friday” John 19:26-27: When Jesus saw his…
The Second Word: With Me In Paradise
Monday, April 6, #2: Luke 23:43 “He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’” Written by Hung Su Lim, Associate Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Richmond. While Jesus was crucified on the cross, there were two criminals with…
The First Word: Father, Forgive Them
Sunday, April 5, #1: Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Written by Rev. Drew Colby, Senior Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas. Of all the words in Jesus’ prayer from the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know…
Introduction to Holy Week/Easter Week Devotional
Our Holy Week/Easter Week devotional series starts tomorrow, so we wanted to take a moment before that starts to talk about what we’re doing in this devotional series. Holy Week is the week when we Christians tell the story that we believe is the most important…