'From Palms to Passion' at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

HOLDEN -- Immanuel Lutheran Church, 346 Shrewsbury St., has a goal this year of "helping people live close to God, close to one another, and close to what God is doing in our community and world.'' That focus has led to the planning of an unusual celebration for Palm Sunday, March 29.

Instead of the church's usual Sunday schedule of two worship services, with Sunday School sandwiched between them, the congregation is planning a single intergenerational event, "From Palms to Passion,'' starting at 9:30 a.m.

While the combined worship/learning/fellowship event will begin in the congregation's sanctuary with a brief blessing of palm branches distributed to all, the opening gathering will quickly turn into a parade leading everyone to the congregation's gym, where people will gather around tables for a sharing of the Bible's story of the events of Holy Week through skits, video and song. On the tables will be hot cross buns, donut holes, coffee and juice for nibbling during "table...