Recap of Holy Week Services

This was our first Easter at St. John's Lutheran Church and we can't wait until next year.

As part of our Holy week worship life, we observe, in part, an ancient custom of the early Christian Church. Beginning with evening worship on Maundy Thursday and continuing through Holy Saturday’s Easter Vigil, these services were considered to be one service and called the Triduum (The Three Days). Even though people go home to rest and carry out their necessary responsibilities, they are encouraged to remember that at least in spirit they are still “worshipping” and remembering the events of Holy week. No benediction concludes this service as an indication that the service continues for two more days. The name Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment. It is taken from Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 13:34: “a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Tonight, we remembered the first Passover meal and celebrate the meal that was given to us when Jesus celebrated Passover--- on the night when He was betrayed.


At the end of the service Psalm 22 is chanted. This Psalm talks about Jesus while He was on the cross. As we watched (in darkness and only saw white gloves) the stripping of the altar and hearing the words of Psalm we are reminded that Christ was stripped of all things as He suffered for our sins. We anticipate gathering together Friday night, focused on our crucified Lord. Once the stripping of the altar was completed, the congregation left in silence and darkness. Steve and I left with cold chills and tears in our eyes. The kids were amazed with it all.

Good Friday Service we remembered the freedom God gave His people at the death of the firstborn of the Egyptians. We will walk to the cross where God gave over His first born to death for the forgiveness of our sins. At the end of the service in complete darkness the pastor reads John 18:1-11, then the first candle is extinguished, then he continues with John 18:12-24, then the second candle is extinguished, then he reads John 18:25-38, then third candle is extinguished, then he reads John 18:39—19:11, then the fourth candle is extinguished, the he reads John 19:12-16, then the fifth candle is extinguished, then he reads John 19:17-27, the sixth candle is extinguished, then he reads John 19:28-37, and the seventh candle is extinguished. The Christ candle is taken from the Chancel area. The “Strepitus” is heard. The sudden and harsh loud noise indicated the closing of the tomb. Then we all leave in silence as the lights are brought up slowing, anticipating the joys of Easter while contemplating the solemnity of Good Friday.

"Son"Rise Service the followers of Jesus on the first Easter morning came to the tomb expecting nothing more than the opportunity to prepare Jesus’ body for the sleep of death. His burial on Good Friday had been done in haste; now they would take more time for a proper preparation of their beloved Master’s body. On this Easter morning, we signal this same mood with the somber confession, and the sorrowful hymn of death… and then….)

Yes, the tomb is empty! He is risen indeed!

What a why to finish Holy Week, then to ask my Pastor to Baptize me and my kids next Sunday.

Isn’t Christ Great……..