Holy Week Ready To Go
Many preparations by staff and volunteers have gone into our Holy Week services, which begin Sunday with Palm/Passion Sunday. Here are a few things of what you can expect.
Palm/Passion Sunday
The past two years, we have exited to the narthex and outside with our palm branches to re-enact the Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. With our newly renovated space at the back of the sanctuary, we will gather there - with overflow to the narthex if necessary, for the reading of the Processional Gospel, Blessing of the Palms, and return to our pews singing "All Glory, Laud, and Honor. I think we will greatly appreciate being able to gather in this space, because the weather forecast for Sunday morning is cold and windy. Also, the past two years taking this service outside created problems for my wireless mic. Since I'll be able to stand near the last pew to lead this part of the service, there should be no interruption in the the wireless signal, and there will be more connection with the worshipers who choose to remain in the pews.
Back in the olden days, Palm Sunday was just that - the observance of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In recent decades, the reading of the Passion gospel has been added, for the disappointing reason that so many Christians choose to not observe Good Friday. Accordingly, it was deemed necessary to tell the story of the crucifixion and death of Jesus and perhaps even preach on it on the Sunday before Easter. In the previous two years, I have chosen to preach on the Palm Sunday text, and then preached on the crucifixion on Good Friday. This year, since there will be no sermon on Good Friday, my sermon on Palm/Passion Sunday will focus on the suffering and death of Jesus, with the theme "The Victory of the Cross."
Palm Sunday will also be First Communion Sunday for two of our church kids who attended a training session last Saturday led by Heather and me.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday worship will again begin with Confession, and unlike Ash Wednesday, will also include individual pronouncement of forgiveness. The order for Maundy Thursday worship can be found on page 258 of our new hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, and includes the following "rubric" or direction:
The assembly is seated. People may come forward and kneel for the laying on of hands. The minister, laying both hands on each person's head, addresses each in turn:
In obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins.
The person may respond Amen.
Maundy Thursday will be the first use of our new connection between our SOS (Substitute Organist Service) app and our organ, as Susan is taking the evening off.
Good Friday Tenebrae
The Good Friday Tenebrae (service of progressive darkness) returns after a several year hiatus. This is a service of readings from the Passion of our Lord according to John, hymns or choir anthem, prayers, and progressive extinguishing of candles and turning out of sanctuary lights.
Easter Vigil
For the second year, LIFT is offering an Easter Vigil service at 7:00 pm on Saturday at St. Mark. Pr. Paul will be leading this service, with many participating as readers. Here is as description of this service from the LIFT Facebook page:
LIFT will celebrate the Easter Vigil on March 30 at 7 PM at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Fremont. In the early centuries of Christianity, baptisms were only performed at one time a year—Easter Vigil. Persons new to Christianity—catechumens—were baptized at the Easter Vigil and welcomed into the faith. In preparation, the catechumens would have a period of preparation, usually involving prayer, fasting,and acts of charity. This time became Lent. For our LIFT Easter Vigil, we’ll start outside around the fire, then process inside with candles to hear creative retellings of salvation Bible stories. We’ll remember our Baptism and celebrate Holy Communion.
The Resurrection of our Lord: Easter
Grace will observe the Resurrection of our Lord in two services: on Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 9:00 am. A hot, yummy breakfast will be served by Grace youth in the Dining Hall on Sunday from 8:00 - 8:45 am.
Choir Anthems Return
The choir performed their first anthem last Sunday since Susan came on board and reconvened the group. It is good to have them back sharing their musical gifts! In addition to Sunday anthems, they will sing several anthems during the Good Friday Tenebrae. Thanks, choir members, and to Susan for her leadership and excellent skills! One thing to mention -- I know we are all happy about having choir back, and there was was brief applause last Sunday, but let's withhold that, as the choir doesn't expect this - even as I don't expect applause at the end of a sermon, even if it happens to be a good one!
Joy Circle Met Tuesday
On Tuesday I joined Joy Circle for their monthly meeting. They are beginning a new Bible study on the Book of Acts. I led the first session of this study with an introduction to the book of Acts and its main themes. Did you know that the writer of the book of Acts is most likely the same as the writer of the Gospel of Luke, traditionally attributed to a person named Luke, who was a physician and possibly a Gentile. He was not one of the original 12 Apostles but may have been one of the 70 disciples appointed by Jesus in Luke 10. He also may have accompanied St. Paul on his missionary journeys.
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