“Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! HOSANNA!” These are the words with which we entered Holy Week, as we remembered Jesus entry into Jerusalem. “Hosanna”: a word meaning “save us!” They were words filled with hope and expectation. A new day was dawning. And new kingdom was unfolding. But oh what lie ahead. The powers that be were threatened by who Jesus was and what he was bringing into the world. “We’ve never done it this way!” could have been their cry. Jesus was turning the world’s ways upside down. In the events of this Holy Week we see the world’s response to Jesus. We see the abuse of power. We see the hurt of betrayal and abandonment. We see the power of death and darkness at it’s worse.
But we also, in the middle of all of that, see sacrificial love, faithfulness, continued trust in God, and the distance God was willing to go to confront the powers of death and darkness, in order to bring in a new reign and breathe Life into his fallen creation.
As this week unfolds, think on these things. And if you are able, please join us on Maundy Thursday at 7pm, as we hear from each of the 12 disciples on that night of the Last Supper; what Jesus said to them and what Jesus meant to them.
Then on Good Friday at 7pm we gather again as a continuation of our Thursday service, to hear the 7 Last Words of Jesus from the cross, and reflect on those, in a Tenabrae service.
Saturday is the only Saturday of the year when there is no 6pm service. This is a quiet time of reflection and preparation for Easter Sunday morning.
On Saturday morning however, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt at 10am for all of our children and families, with other fun activities for the kids, as an early Easter celebration!
And at 9am Saturday morning, members of the Youth Group and the Lutheran Men in Mission will be gathering to set up for the Easter Pancake Breakfast and 7am Easter Sunrise Service.
Easter morning begins with a Sunrise Service in the Memorial Garden at 7am. At this service we will also dedicate the new walkway and new altar, both Eagle Scout projects by Michael Reed (walkway) and Christopher Reed (altar). Many thanks to these young men for these important and useful additions to our Memorial Garden!
The 8:30 and 11:00 Easter Services will be held in the church as we begin in silence and darkness, reminding us of Jesus time in the tomb. The silence is broken and worship begins by a bell peal procession, the entrance of the new Paschal Candle and the announcement: “Christ is Risen!”
From 8am til about 10:30am the Lutheran Men in Mission and Youth Group will be providing an Easter Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. A free will offering will be received which will help support sending our kids to camp this summer. The breakfast will consist of: pancakes, sausage patties, fruit cup, banana bread, juice, coffee and milk.
Looking ahead briefly: Anyone interested in learning more about Our Savior or in becoming a member of Our Savior is invited to 3 gatherings: the first is Wednesday April 11 at 6:30pm, the second is Sunday April 15 at 9:45am and the third is Wednesday April 18 at 6:30 pm again. Then for those who would like, new members will be received the last weekend in April (the 28th and 29th) at both the Saturday and Sunday services. Any questions, call either of the pastors.
May this week truly be a Holy Week for you and yours as we remember those last days of Jesus and prepare for the Easter celebration.
See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl + (www.oursaviorelca.com)
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