Lutheran Church
of the Redeemer
HOLY WEEK
SUNDAY OF THE PASSION/PALM SUNDAY
April 10th
DIVINE SERVICE with PROCESSION - 10:30am
We enter Holy Week with a joyous procession of palms and shouts of "Hosanna!" as we enter into the sanctuary. Quickly, though, our song turns to weeping as we move from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem to his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The tension of this Sunday dates back centuries, and the thematic whiplash sets the stage for the week to follow.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
April 14th
DIVINE SERVICE - 6:00pm
Maundy Thursday begins the period known as the Triduum (Great Three Days), a series of services interconnected and united as a single unit. We gather on Thursday to hear Christ's teaching, to remember his command to love one another, to enact this command through the washing of feet, to celebrate the Blessed Sacrament established at Christ's table, and to strip the sanctuary. We depart silence without blessing or sending, pointing us to tomorrow's liturgy.
GOOD FRIDAY
April 15th
STATIONS of the CROSS - Noon
SERVICE - 6pm
The Great Three Days continues with Good Friday. We gather in silence to hear again the story of our Lord's crucifixion and to venerate the cross. The lights dim. We depart in darkness and in silence, again leaving without benediction or dismissal. The service ends on an anticlimactic and inconclusive note; the story is not over yet.
THE GREAT VIGIL
April 16th
DIVINE SERVICE - 8pm
Festive Reception to Follow
On Saturday night, after sunset, we gather in silence and darkness but with eager expectation. Something in the atmosphere has changed. A single light pierces the darkness, a sign of hope that this is the night on which our Lord passed over from death to life. The light spreads from candle to candle, illuminating the darkened room. We hear stories of God's saving deeds throughout Scripture, the lights go up, and we hear the Good News: Christ is risen! We sing out for joy and celebrate the Eucharist, giving thanks to God, and make our Holy Communion with God and each other. Finally, after three days of waiting, we are blessed and dismissed to love and serve the Lord. On our way, we pause for a feast to break our Lenten fast.
EASTER SUNDAY
April 17th
DIVINE SERVICE - 10:30am
The Good News we heard on Saturday night continues as we rejoice together and worship on the Lord's Day. Christ is risen indeed! On this most blessed day, we give thanks for our Baptism into new life through Christ, hear again the glorious news of Christ's triumph over the grave, and celebrate with the most Blessed Sacrament, that heavenly victory banquet.