Palm Sunday kicked off an extraordinary week in the Christian Faith, Passion Week.  At Holiness Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ, Passion Week is celebrated with special services. These services commemorate the last days of Jesus’ life, leading up to his crucifixion and ultimate resurrection.

During the morning Palm Sunday service, Pastor Eddie B Pruitte asked, “What’s your reason for praising God?”   Pastor Pruitte commented that we often pray to God for the wrong reasons.  “Israel praised God in the flesh, and there is no good thing in the flesh,” said Pastor Pruitte.  “Instead, our praise should focus on the greatness of God, not on what we need or when we feel like it.  That’s the wrong reason.”

For the evening Palm Sunday service, Elder Joseph Guilford provided the congregation with a history lesson.  He mentioned how in times of peace, a king would ride on a donkey colt.  “Jesus riding [into Jerusalem] on a donkey served to show that he was king and that he was peace.” In addition, Elder Guilford mentioned how, centuries before Jesus arrived on the scene, Maccabee and his army drove their enemies out of Jerusalem.  When the Maccabees returned to the city, the people waved palm branches as a sign of their deliverance from their oppressors.  In the same light, when Jesus road into the city, the multitude waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna” in anticipation of Jesus delivering them out of Roman oppression. “They failed to realize that Jesus came not with a political message, but a spiritual message,” said Elder Guilford.

Mother Freda Benjamin and Deacon Jeffery Howard both brought an inspiring word on Tuesday night.  On Maundy Thursday Holiness Tabernacle’s members, decked out in their communion attire, observed two of the churches three ordinances by participating in the Lord’s symbolic last supper and having their feet washed by church leadership. Earlier that evening, Minister Andre Powell got to the heart of Jesus washing His disciples feet.  “He was preparing them, to teach them how to serve others.”

Bro. Michael Benjamin, Sis. Loquetta Perry, Sis. Delia Pruitte, Deac. David Moses, Aspiring Missionary Melody Trent, Sis. Joanne Orhue and Missionary Pamela Hairston brought the Seven Last Words of Jesus on Good Friday.  Through these final words we see Jesus’ pain and suffering, his forgiveness, his concern for his mother, his separation from the Father and the completion of his work on earth.  “He had accomplished, with satisfaction, what God gave Him to do,” said Missy Hairston. 

Following the Seven Last Words, Holiness Tabernacle conducted the last ordinance that is practiced in COGIC by baptizing five members: Missionary Myrna Howard, Sisters Sereatha Majors and Pecola Duncan, as well as Brothers Joel Norman and Jeremiah Paxton.  After being submerged in the water, Asp Missy Howard testified to the congregation.  “I’ve been baptized before, but I asked God for a greater anointing.”

Though overcast and rainy, Resurrection Sunday brightened the hearts of the saints with the good news that Jesus has risen! Mother Vivian Pruitte, first lady of Holiness Tabernacle, blessed the congregation with a word that proclaimed “Never the Same”! Mother Pruitte stated that an encounter with Jesus changes everything.  After the death of Jesus, the disciples tried to go back to business as usual, and they couldn’t.  “They [the disciples] didn’t realize God had already changed them, and had already worked salvation in them,” she declared.  The message sparked a revival of sorts as people testified of the goodness of the Lord in their lives. 

After a delicious breakfast, prepared and served by the men in church, the saints were ready to receive seconds on spiritual food.  Prior to the word, the Holiness Tabernacle youth gave speeches and reenacted the moment the disciples and Mary discovered the empty tomb.  Resurrection Sunday was also the debut of the church’s liturgical signing team, which performed two numbers.

This year, Pastor Pruitte, broke with tradition and chose to go a different route with his Resurrection Sunday message.  Pastor mentioned that the obstacles Christ faced – Pontius Pilot, the stone, the elite soldiers guarding the tomb and death – were things He couldn’t overcome without God.  “Jesus had a bunch of things working against Him to hold Him in the tomb,” he said.  “God raised Jesus from the dead. And Christ will raise us as well, if we live right.”

It’s so easy to get caught up in the monotony of life and lose sight of the purpose that God has given each and every one of us. Through observing Passion Week, we receive a reminder of how Jesus was always about His father’s business.  And as this world continues to grow more and more evil, we should also be about our Heavenly Father’s business and help lead more people to the cross of salvation.