We stand on the thresh hold of one of the most holy, rich and exciting weeks in the Christian year, and I wanted to share some insights into the various worship services so that you'll have a sense of what is ahead.

When faced with 'multiples', we generally tend to pick and choose, especially when it comes to things that compete with other items on our already crowded schedules. That's only natural in our time and place. But Holy Week is a time that is hard to really enter unless it is experienced 'of a piece', that is, in totality. It is best viewed as a single journey, rather than individual worship services. Don't let that discourage you from entering wherever and whenever you can, but the experiences build on each other.

In historic, liturgical worship we are walking with Jesus in Jerusalem, welcoming him into the city, sharing in the Last Supper, betraying him before the authorities, waiting at the foot of the cross, and ultimately celebrating his Resurrection. The liturgy places us in the midst of these events, not as observers, but as participants. And I've learned that older children on up can grasp the significance of what is being marked, as the truth is much deeper than words alone.

Near the end of the 4th century (about 381) Egeria, a female member of a religious community, made a three year tour of holy sites in the mid-east, and wrote about them to her sisters back in Spain (or France). Her writings are striking because they are first hand accounts of the various liturgies in place, particularly the Holy Week liturgies in Jerusalem. The worship services we will experience bear strong resemblance to the ones she describes, and connect us to Christian worship practice over almost two millennia, even as Christ will be present with us in the moment.

The distinctive feature of Palm Sunday in fourth century Jerusalem was the palm procession from the Mount of Olives back into the city. At 'Redeemer' we will begin our service outside the church (weather permitting) with the blessing of the Palms, then a procession into the church and up the steps to the sanctuary. It's important to know that even as we cry 'Hosanna', we will be calling out for Jesus' death in just a few days. During the worship service, as the Gospel is read, we will switch colours from Purple (of Lent) to Red (the colour of blood and Christ's Passion).

This important worship service is the entry to not only Jerusalem, but to Holy Week itself.

The Wednesday of Holy Week is sometimes called "Spy Wednesday", because it corresponds to the betrayal of Jesus by one of his own. Judas 'sold' Jesus to the authorities and set in motion Christ's trial, suffering and death. We ask ourselves on this day about our own tendencies to betray and ask the Lord for his strength to remain faithful.

12 noon Eucharist/Healing Prayer
7pm Prayer Service and Compline
(both of these services at the EC Church in Highland Park)

This service remembers the institution of the Eucharist—the Lord's Supper, and it transitions us to Jesus' capture by the authorities. The word 'Maundy' is drawn from the Latin 'mandatum', or 'command', as Jesus issues a 'new commandment' to his disciples, that they love one another, even as he loved them (John 13:34). This is symbolized by footwashing—a simple yet powerful and humbling activity. We will celebrate the Eucharist together, then in a stark move that represents the scattering of the disciples, the altar will be stripped of all items, the cross will be draped in black, the clergy will abandon the congregation and all will be left in silence to consider Jesus' betrayal, and that they are now 'alone'. People may remain after the service to watch and wait in prayer.

The service begins at 7:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran.

It's a strange thing that we call this a 'good' day that marks Jesus' crucifixion. It may be that it was once called God Friday, and that the words got mixed up. In other languages the day is rendered as Holy Friday, or Mourning Friday. But this day of darkness makes it possible for God's goodness and mercy to be ushered in to our lives.

In evangelical churches there is a tendency to rush past this day—we don't really want to linger there, or to stress Jesus' death. It seems Easter is always being mentioned at Good Friday services and brought forward ahead of its time. But Jesus did die, and his was a terrible and physical death—that's the point of the incarnation. Also, his disciples weren't sure what would happen next, and they were worried for their own necks, so to speak. This is a day for prayer and fasting, and if you are able, a day to refrain from work, as well.

The cross is the central feature of our faith and on this day, especially, we must gather and mourn and linger at its foot.

12 noon Stations of the Cross
7:30 pm Good Friday Worship
(again, both services at Redeemer Lutheran)

There are no services, but it is a day of fasting, prayer and pregnant waiting.

Now we can really celebrate!! The Lord is Risen and he is Risen Indeed!! Resurrection means that sin and death are completely broken, and their powerful hold on us released. That's great news, especially as we look back over Holy Week and realize that we betrayed him, and crucified him, then ran. But his Resurrection undoes all of that, and more, and offers us salvation. Bring bells to ring during this great day of good news.

10am—Church of the Redeemer

All services will be at Redeemer Lutheran, except for those on Wednesday, which will be at the Evangelical Church in Highland Park. Nursery Care is available for the Sunday services, for Maundy Thursday and for Good Friday Evening.

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