A blessed Holy Week and Easter weekend to you all.
I’m writing to remind you of all the services and activities taking place this weekend.
First of all, please note that the Men’s Breakfast, which normally takes place on the 3rd Saturday of the month, is not happening this weekend, but will take place next Saturday morning (April 27) at 9:00 AM.
While Good Friday and Easter Sunday are the largest and most well attended services of this season, I would like to remind you about the Maundy Thursday service happening at 7:00 PM tomorrow evening. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word for ‘commandment,’ and Maundy Thursday is so named because it highlights one of Jesus’ last teachings: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you.” Accompanying this commandment is Jesus’ example of washing his disciples’ feet. For many reasons, there will be no foot washing at our service, but you will be invited to participated in hand washing. The other focus on Maundy Thursday are the stories of the Passover and of Jesus’ institution of Holy Communion at his last supper with his disciples. The service concludes with what is called the Stripping of the Altar, during which we participate together in preparing the worship space for Good Friday in a silent and solemn way. Please consider joining us for this powerful service at 7:00 PM on Thursday.
Good Friday happens at 10:00 AM on Friday morning. The focus of this service is the story of Jesus’ Passion, beginning with his struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane to the moment his body is laid in the tomb.
For many of us, Easter Sunday will begin at 7:00 AM on Sunday morning for the Sunrise Service. The timing of this service is based on the gospel telling us that the women who followed Jesus from Galilee and witnessed his crucifixion and burial, came to the tomb “on the first day of the week at early dawn.” We will gather at the front steps of the church and, weather permitting, walk over to Tom Thumb park to hear the amazing story of Easter morning, sing, and pray. I hope you can join us for this simple service in the cool morning air.
And then we eat! From 8:30 to 9:30 in the Luther Hall (church basement), an Easter Breakfast will be served by our youth and their families. All proceeds will go to our youth programme at Faith. Thanks to the youth and their families for helping make a very busy weekend and little simpler by providing breakfast for us!
Finally, at 10:00 AM on Easter Sunday we gather in the church for much singing, celebrating, praising, praying, and proclamation of the wonderful good news of new life that is God’s promise for us and all people!
If you are travelling this weekend to spend time with family or friends, I wish you a safe journey. For the rest of us, I hope to see you at some or all of the services and activities taking place. Invite a friend!
See you Thursday, Friday, and Sunday!
In Peace,
Pastor Brian