Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter, believed to be the day when Jesus celebrated his final Passover with His disciples.  

Christ's "mandate" that was given then is commemorated on Maundy Thursday---"maundy" being a shortened form of mandatum (Latin), which means "command."  It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples. Jesus and his disciples had just shared what was known as the Last Supper and he was washing their feet when he stated:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). The Maundy Thursday Service will be a shared Tenebrae worship with Trinity United Methodist Church.  Tenebrae is a religious service of Western Christianity held during the three days preceding Easter Day, and characterized by gradual extinguishing of candles, and by a "strepitus" or "loud noise" taking place in total darkness near the end of the service.  Congregants from both churches will be reading Scripture during the service.

For Christians, Good Friday is an important day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. 

Why do we call Good Friday “good,” when it is such a dark and bleak event commemorating a day of suffering and death for Jesus?  Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, following what God had promised in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).

On Good Friday, the Sanctuary will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for everyone to gather together to pray and meditate on Jesus' death upon the cross. The "Come & Go Reflection Time" is a self-guided event.

There will be materials available to aid you in your journey of Jesus to the Cross.  You are welcome to  come and stay as long as you wish.

Decorating Downtown Crosses: Saturday, April 19th at 6:00 p.m. at Pioneer Park - Corner of Woodland Blvd. and Rich Avenue.

Come join in the fun of DeLand's 18th year of Crosses for Christ.  Each year on the Saturday before Easter, churches, families and individuals sponsor a wooden cross with wire to be decorated with provided 5 gallon buckets of cut carnations and fern for starters.  The sponsors find their cross and decorate it with the pre-cut flowers/greenery.   Imagination has no limits here as many folks add different flowers, greenery, ribbon, and even battery-powered lights to their crosses. 

First Christian Church has been part of this downtown tradition ever since its inception.  The crosses are carefully watched over and watered overnight so that on Easter Sunday Morning, all of DeLand can walk or drive up and down Woodland Blvd. and some side streets to see the Christian symbolic witness of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on this special day.

What Is Easter Sunday? Next to the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Easter Sunday is the most important holiday for Christians. Easter is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was crucified and rose three days later. The day that He rose is called Easter or Resurrection Sunday.

We celebrate Easter because it is a part of the redemptive plan of mankind. It is cause for celebration because with death overcome, the rising of Jesus proves to man that He is the Son of God. Easter is the fulfillment of God's salvation plan for mankind. 

Everyone is invited to come and be part of this special worship service at 10:45 a.m.