Holy week is the sixth week of Lent, or, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. This year, Holy Week occurs March 24-30. In Christian brotherhood, three local churches will join together for an ecumenical effort to observe the most important week of Christianity.

The Church of the Holy Trinity, First Presbyterian Church and Crawford St. United Methodist Church, all located within a block of each other in downtown Vicksburg, are joining in unification for the observation of Holy Week. “Ecumenical” is defined as “representing a number of different churches,” and Holy Week is just one example of ecumenical endeavors involving these three churches.

Holy Week is the observation in Christianity of the final days of Jesus Christ. Each day represents a time of prayer and remembrance of the events leading up to the death of Jesus. The week culminates in  the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, with each church observing the occasion during regular Sunday services. Services at Holy Trinity begin at 10:15 a.m., First Presbyterian, at 10:30 a.m. and Crawford St. United Methodist services start at 10:55 a.m.

Beginning Monday, also known as Holy Monday, a series of luncheons and Lenten messages will be presented. Holy Trinity will host a luncheon at noon with the Reverend Tom Potter of Crawford St. United Methodist Church presenting the message.

On Holy Tuesday, Crawford St. United Methodist Church will host a luncheon at noon with Reverend Tim Brown of First Presbyterian Church giving the message.

On Holy Wednesday, First Presbyterian Church will host the luncheon at noon with Father Rick Roessler presenting the message.

On Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, each church will observe the solemn occasion with services at each church. Each church will also have services on Sunday morning in celebration of Easter.

Reverend Tom Potter said “no other week reminds us more strongly than Holy Week that Jesus died a human death for all humans around the world. Holy Week is the perfect time to come together and celebrate that.”

“It’s an opportunity for our community to come together, for different churches to get together to hear the gospel and the hope his resurrection gives us,” said Reverend Tim Brown. “This is our Super Bowl.”

Reservations for the luncheons are not required. There is a cost of $5.00 per meal.