Chapel during Holy Week this year will follow the life of Jesus as told in the gospel of Matthew, leading up to the crucifixion through a new and unique format.
Each year, the Chapel Office tries to make Chapel different during Holy Week, said Abbie Baird, junior youth and family ministry major Leander and Chapel worship coordinator.
The goal of Holy Week is to help students realize the importance of Jesus, Baird said.
“If he was who he said he was it changes everything,” Baird said. “So hopefully it helps students who are strong right now and students who are weak right now, alike.”
“The purpose of Holy Week is to give us a fresh perspective on Jesus,” said Mark Lewis, assistant dean of Spiritual Life and Chapel Programs.
Chapel during Holy Week will feature some slam poetry, a non-typical format and well-respected speakers including students and professors, Baird said.
“We’re trying to use people that students know at ACU,” Baird said. “A lot of students are going to be involved and a couple of professors.”
Chapel will take place in Moody Coliseum Monday through Thursday of Holy Week.
The format of Chapel during Holy Week will not follow the typical three songs, announcements, scripture and speaker format, Baird said.
“We make Holy Week something different from typical Chapel weeks just so people start to get a different feel for what it means leading up to Easter,” Baird said.
The changes in format will hopefully get students to not only notice the effort that was put in, but also focus in on what is being discussed, Baird said.
The planning for Chapel during Holy Week began several weeks ago with a meeting between Abbie Baird, Mark Lewis, Tommy Johnson, campus minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ and Ben Fike, campus minister at University Church of Christ, Baird said.
This team of four was instrumental in coming up with ideas and bringing people in for Holy Week, Baird said.
“We’re trying to put a new spin on it so that people walk in and have a different attitude about what’s going to happen,” Baird said. “We’re hoping students will have an actual moment to encounter Jesus.”
