Join us as we journey through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. There are several events leading up to Easter Sunday – come + experience God’s love + grace with us in community!
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
Friday, March 29th @ 6:30pm
We will reflect on Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion and then we wait to see what will happen next as Jesus is laid in the tomb. We can’t really understand the significance of Easter without this journey through Holy Week – we hope you can be with us during this special service.
COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT 2024
Saturday, March 30th – Hunt begins @ 10am
Join us for our annual Community Easter Egg Hunt which will start at 10am – please arrive by 9:45am to get signed in and ready for the hunt countdown! The kids will search for eggs & load up their baskets – age groups will be separated in different areas of the lawn for the ultimate egg hunting experience – infants through age 12 are welcome to hunt! Come + get your photos with the bunny & refreshments will follow.
Outdoor Easter Sunrise Service @ 7am Bring a lawn chair and/or blanket.
Easter Celebration Service in the Sanctuary @ 10am
You won’t want to miss Easter Sunday at Glendale for this powerful celebration as we relive Jesus’ triumph of life over death through the resurrection! We will bloom the cross as a sign of new life during both services. Following the services, we will have a photographer taking photos of families and individuals outside by the cross we bloom during the service for the perfect Easter 2024 photo!
Hunter Family
“We saw the Glendale billboard that
read, “We’re sorry if the church has hurt and failed you.” and decided we would give the church one last chance. After hearing Glendale’s welcome message during worship the first time we came, we knew we were home. – Kelli + Rick
Kelli, Rick + Family
Kelli: she/her + Rick: he/him
Aziza
“Before finding Glendale, I stopped going to church and started doubting my faith, leaving Christianity altogether. I found Glendale at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement and started worshiping online and then in person. This is the first church that I truly feel welcome and at home.” – Aziza
Aziza
she/her
Ben and Don
“We have found a home in Glendale UMC, a place where every person is loved just for who they are. We are valued for who we are and where we are in our walks of faith – without judgment. We love the people we are meeting and look forward to continuing our journey of life here.”
– Ben + Don
Ben + Don
Ben: he/him, Don: he/him
White Family
“When we first arrived at Glendale, we knew this place was a wonderful fit for us. Glendale welcomes and affirms all of our LGBTQ+ siblings but doesn't stop there! They also make sure that neurodiverse folks are welcomed and loved and try to make sure the church is accessible as it can be. We have also found Glendale to be a community of faith that is quite diverse. The age range of this congregation is also amazing. ”
– Jennifer + Derek
Jennifer + Derek
Jennifer: she/her, Derek: he/him
Megan + Family
“I swore that I would never step foot in a church again. I grew up in the church and witnessed so much hypocrisy and not seeing the true love of Jesus loving everyone. However, when we found Glendale, I came back to the church because it is inclusive, affirming, and progressive. When I say this church LOVES everyone, Glendale truly loves and accepts everyone.” – Megan
Megan
she/her
Cowles Family
“After stepping away from church for several years, I was hoping to find an inclusive and affirming church that teaches God’s love for ALL people – regardless of who we are. I immediately felt connected & have made some amazing friends. I found Glendale when I needed it most and feel so lucky and proud to be a part of this church.” – Rob
Rob
he/him
Claire
“It was important to me to find a church that was affirming and doing the work of being anti-racist. I wanted to be apart of a church where injustice in our world was spoken about and acted upon. After attending my first service, I know I had found my new church family. I am incredibly grateful for this safe space where I know that any and all are welcome.” – Claire
Claire
she/her
Kevin + Lezleigh
“When we moved to Nashville, we wanted to find a church that was INCLUSIVE of all of God’s children, not EXCLUSIVE. After visiting a few other United Methodist churches, we visited Glendale. We are excited to be a part of an inclusive church and to serve God through Glendale.”
– Kevin + Lezleigh
Lezleigh + Kevin
Lezleigh: she/her + Kevin: he/him
Murdock Family
“Within the first few minutes of our first worship service at Glendale UMC, we knew we’d found, not just a church, but a community full of love. From the welcome message of inclusion, we knew we’d found a home and a place for our daughter to learn about and love Christ.”
– Jen + Chris
Jen + Chris
Jen: she/her + Chris: he/him
John Lee
“I have found a spiritual home that I was missing and wasn’t sure I would ever find; a caring, nurturing environment; and a reestablishment of my Christian faith. Glendale is a vibrant environment that works hard to live up to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and it is a joy to have found it.” – John
John
he/him
Rich Family
“Everyone at Glendale works to make sure that each person feels included and welcome, regardless of their background or even how they might differ from others in the church, and we strongly believe that anyone who comes will feel that same sense of being both included and loved.”
– Jill + Steve
Jill + Steve
Jill: she/her, Steve: he/him
PREVIOUS EVENTS + SERVICES
PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP
Sunday, March 24th @ 10am
Kick off Holy Week with us on Palm Sunday as we are each invited to be on the journey within the great mysteries of Jesus’ final days before his Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
We are so excited to welcome Matthew Paul Turner, New York Times bestselling author, who will be reading his newest book, You Will Always Belong, during a special children’s time during the service on March 24th!
OPEN SANCTUARY + STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Wednesday, March 27th from 5-7pm
At Glendale we typically offer a contemporary Stations of the Cross experience during Holy Week. This year’s stations will be open for you to walk through from 5-7pm in the Glendale sanctuary. The stations are self-led and you are welcome to spend as much time as you would like there moving through the stations and finding a . The focus of this year’s station will be Matthew 26: “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword.” We invite you to take some time out of your Holy Week, to pause, reflect and pray as you walk through the stations. This day also marks one year since the mass shooting at The Covenant School – there is a dedicated station for remembering those lost, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy. Pastor Steph will also be around during that time if you would like someone to pray with.
What are Stations of the Cross: Historically the observance of the Stations of the Cross has been a way for Christians to journey with Jesus Christ through the last moments of his life. Many people travel to Jerusalem each year during Holy Week to walk the exact route Jesus is believed to have walked as he carried the cross to his crucifixion. For those of us who aren’t able to make the trip to the Holy Land, however, there are many different ways to experience the Stations. Many Catholic Churches have scenes from the Stations in their worship spaces. You can find a variety of artistic depictions of the Stations online.