Easter at Gracecity
Special events often have symbols attached to them. Weddings have rings. Graduations have caps and gowns. And birthdays… cake! The days leading up to the first Easter came with their own set of symbols—and what they came to represent changed the world.
This Easter, you’re invited to journey through the profound symbols of the gospel story—symbols that don’t just recount what actually happened but reveal why it matters for our lives today. These symbols draw us into the heart of the Easter story, helping us see Jesus more clearly and inviting us to respond to His love in a deeper way.
Palm Sunday
Greenlane Only, April 13th at 9 & 11am
We’ll explore the significance of the donkey, palm branches, and the pōwhiri-like welcome of the crowd as Jesus enters Jerusalem. Each element points to something powerful about who Jesus is while also exposing our faulty expectations of Him. In this pinnacle moment of anticipation, we may feel that Jesus has let us down. But as we reflect, we come to realize: when it feels like Jesus has let me down, it’s not Jesus who is faulty—it’s my expectations of Him that need to change.
Good Friday
Combined Service hosted at Greenlane, April 18th at 9.30am
On this solemn day, we’ll confront the weight of betrayal through Judas’ coins (Matthew 26:15), Pilate’s basin as he attempts to wash away guilt (Matthew 27:24), the cross that represents Christ’s ultimate sacrifice (John 19:17-30), and the table where Jesus shared His final meal with His disciples (Matthew 26:26-28). Each symbol invites us to reflect on the profound cost of our salvation and the depth of Jesus’ love for us. We will finish with an invitation to come to the table and share in communion, remembering His sacrifice.
Easter Sunday
All Locations, April 20th at 9 & 11am (Greenlane) and 10am (Howick)
As we celebrate the resurrection, we’ll explore the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1-7) and the linen cloths left behind (John 20:6-7). These symbols are more than just evidence of Jesus’ resurrection; they are signs of a new reality breaking into our world. Together, we’ll discover how Jesus’ victory over death transforms our lives today and fills us with hope for eternity.
Devotional
Symbols of Easter is a five-day devotional involving five symbols. Each symbol illustrates a part of the Easter story, exploring who Jesus is and what he came to do.