New life out of death. Hope when all seems hopeless. We soon enter the great Three Days of remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil—the church’s annual experience of the heart of the Christian faith.
- Maundy Thursday, April 14, 7:00 p.m.
- Good Friday, April 15, 7:00 p.m.
- Easter Vigil, April 16, 7:00 p.m.
Because there ought to be no immersion into suffering without the gift of the resurrection, and the resurrection at Easter comes only after the cross, the three-part service known as the Three Days holds them all together in the mystery of Christ.
At the heart of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus’ commandment (“maundy” meaning “mandate”) to love one another. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to follow his example as we humbly care for one another, especially the poor and the unloved. At the Lord’s table we remember Jesus’ sacrifice of his life, even as we are called to offer ourselves in love for the life of the world.
Good Friday continues from Thursday, with its stripping and humiliation, to the Cross. Good Friday is marked with austerity and reflection and yet carries the profound proclamation of Christ’s victory of new life from death.
We thank our choir, Promesa de Esperanza, which will lead us in worship with the cantata “Jesus, Man of Sorrows.”
From Robin Neely, director:
“What does it mean to be loved? What does it mean for someone else to bear your burdens? Your sorrows?
“Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, only does what He sees the Father doing.
” ‘My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise’ (Psalm 51:17). To think, we have a God who doesn’t just love us from afar, who doesn’t even just draw close to us, but who suffers on our behalf, who suffers alongside us, who is broken for us, and who has borne our burdens. I’ve heard it said that you can see the value of something by what someone else is willing to give up for it. Jesus gave up his life, slowly and painfully, for you. For me. That’s how much we mean to Him. That’s how much we’re worth to Him. Listen to His Words. Listen to His heart.”
Good Friday worship concludes with all departing in solemn silence. But Christ’s death is not God’s final word. And so we resume worship with the Vigil of Easter on Saturday, telling the story of God’s salvation and celebrating our new life in baptism and the Feast of Victory of the Risen Christ.
Join us in this powerful journey of faith.
Easter Sunday
- Celebrate the Resurrection!
- 6:30 Sunrise Service
- 8:30 and 10:30 Services of Holy Communion
- Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt at 9:30!