EASTER SERVICES, EVENTS AND STUDIES IN WILLIAMSBURG, VA 

The holiest of all Christian celebrations, Easter to us is the final fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem humankind, the triumph of enduring love over death, and the ultimate expression of hope! Here at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, we invite you to walk the journey with us through this sacred season as we move from the meditative spaces of Lent to the unbridled joy of Resurrection Sunday.

Whether you seek a time of quiet prayer, a moving worship experience, or a place to take hold of hope in a tumultuous world, our worship and classes offer a space for all to encounter God’s grace. Through music, Scripture and guided fellowship, we will remember the path Jesus took from his entry into Jerusalem to the Cross—and ultimately into the world in which we live.

Below, you'll find details about our Studies and Small Groups, special events for children, Youth and adults, Palm Sunday observance, Holy Week and Easter services, along with special opportunities for worship, reflection, and celebration. We look forward to sharing this journey with you as we learn to live out the Easter news: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

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2026 services

Looking for Easter services in Williamsburg, VA? Williamsburg United Methodist Church offers multiple Easter Sunday worship opportunities, including sunrise, traditional, and modern outdoor services.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

Wednesday, February 18 | 12:00 PM & 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary
Start off the Lenten Season with a reflective service that includes the imposition of ashes.

PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP

Sunday, March 29 | 8:15 & 11:00 AM
Music, song and dramatic readings will guide us in following in Jesus’ footsteps through the gates of Jerusalem, hearing shouts of acclaim, and into the silence of the olive grove at Gethsemane. We will witness his condemnation by Pilate and travel the city streets to the Cross on Golgotha. Finally, we will conclude with the silence of a tomb.

MAUNDY THURSDAY MEAL & WORSHIP

Thursday, April 2 | 6:00 PM
Join us in the Fellowship Hall for an interactive time that combines engaging craft and activity stations, a potluck meal and worship, as we consider Jesus' supper in the Upper Room with his disciples. This is a great opportunity for children, Youth, and adults to share time together.

GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP

Friday, April 3
6:00 PM – A simple service of prayer and quiet.
7:00 PM – On Good Friday, Christ voices the cries of a world tempted by the perennial question: "God, why have you abandoned us?" We grieve and sit in the darkness of a world overcome with hate, injustice, and corruption of power, not seeking definitive answers but longing for one to emerge out of chaos. Join us for a service where the story of Christ's suffering meets us in the depths of our own through confession, music, contemplation, and silence.

EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP

Sunday, April 5
6:30 AM – Join us on the front lawn for our Sunrise outdoor service, where we will welcome the dawning light of Christ’s rising.
8:00 AM & 11:00 AM – Gather in the Sanctuary for the joy of Traditional worship through dramatic readings, choral and orchestral music, preaching, prayer and song.
9:30 AM – We also welcome you to Modern worship on the front lawn - with a band, modern Christian music, and all the elements that we celebrate in Modern worship each week.  

As you come to Easter Sunday Services, we invite you to pause by the cross on our front lawn, say a short prayer, and add flowers to it. Purchased flowers or fresh flowers from your garden are welcome. Let’s make our cross bloom and proclaim in a visible way that Christ is risen!

events

CHILDREN'S FAMILY RETREAT
February 17 | Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center, Toano
This Winter, families with children in K - 5th grade are invited to attend a weekend retreat. This will be a weekend of worship, sharing life and meals together, playing games and doing activities on the grounds of Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center, and more. More details coming soon! **This retreat is for children and their adult family members to attend together. Each child must have at least one related adult attend with them. Cost will be approx. $150 per family

register here

MESSY CHURCH

Tuesday, March 10 | 5:30 in the Atrium, Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall
Once when Jesus was traveling, he met a woman at a well. Their conversation changed her life as she discovered Jesus knew her and saw that he wanted the best for her. He told her he was the source of "living water," and that if she drank this living water she would never be thirsty again. This was such good news that the woman ran to the village to tell everyone who would listen about this man, Jesus, that she had met. We will wonder together about what Jesus meant by this living water, and how we can be nourished by Jesus, the font of life, too. 

ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT
Sunday, March 29 | 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Searching for a free Easter egg hunt in Williamsburg, VA? Join us at Williamsburg United Methodist Church to search for over 1,500 eggs! We'll explore the themes of the Lent and Easter seasons through games, crafts, music, and Bible stories. No cost to attend, and free carnival-style snacks will be available. Bring your Easter baskets and get ready to have a fun and meaningful morning together! There will be a special egg hunt just for Pre-K and younger, and all ages are invited to join us. We hope to see you there!

Candy Donations
We invite you to donate candy (any type, but no nuts or peanut butter please!) to fill plastic eggs at our annual Easter Egg Hunt! The Egg Hunt is a great way to celebrate with our community through faith formation and Easter fun for families with young children. Donations can be dropped off in the “Easter Candy” bin in the Collection Closet located next to our Connection Corner desk, by the parking lot entrance, by March 22nd.

studies & small groups

AN UNLIKELY LENT - SEARCHES SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sundays, February 22 - March 29 | 9:30 - 10:00 AM 
The resurrection was not witnessed in isolation; it unfolded before a crowd. What might the stories of those people tell us today?

EMBRACING THE PROPHETS LENTEN STUDY

Sundays February 22 - March 29 | 2:00 - 3:30 PM 
Tuesdays February 24 - March 31 | 10:30 - Noon
This Lent, we are focusing on our transforming encounters with God’s grace. In this study, we’ll consider the biblical prophets and how we can embrace them in our present context as grace.

learn more and register here

YOUNG ADULT GROUP

Third Thursday of the Month | 7:00 - 8:30 PM
This group is for students, young adults, those starting out in their careers, and for those of us who are in that “figuring life out” stage. We want to make this a relaxed space where we can get to know each other, and have some support along the way.

PASTORS’ BIBLE STUDY – GOSPEL OF JOHN

Wednesdays beginning Feb. 25, 7:00-8:30pm  |  In Person
Thursdays beginning Feb. 26, 10:30-12:00noon  |  Via Zoom
You’re invited to experience a season of spiritual growth and life-changing renewal by encountering God’s grace in the Gospel according to John. Pastors Brian and Madison will walk with you through Adam Hamilton’s book, John: The Gospel of Light and Life, while following the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus for 6 weeks.

learn more and register here