The Ascension of Our Lord is traditionally observed on the Thursday in the Sixth Week of Easter, but we have transferred its observance to today, the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
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FRIDAY: On Passion Sunday, the
focus is on the suffering (passio)
of Christ, but on Good Friday, the Crucified One is put forward as the sign
of God’s victory over sin, death, and evil. Isaiah’s depiction of Jesus as the
‘suffering servant,’ so important to the early Christians as they sought to
understand the events of Good Friday, is read as the prelude to the Passion
according to St John, who presents Jesus as the one whose glory is revealed on
the Cross.
In the shadow of that
Cross, the Church then prays for the entire world, using an ancient form of
prayer in which the leader ‘bids’ (asks) the people to silently pray for
various groups of people. The service concludes with a solemn act of adoration
as we sing both of Christ’s great love for humanity and his triumph over death.
On Maundy Thursday the focus is on the community of disciples Jesus creates by his passion and resurrection; a community of which we are part. The church-community is known by mutual subjection in service, following Jesus’ example in washing his disciples’ feet, and by the celebration of Jesus’ abiding presence in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. After we who have been reconciled celebrate the Sacrament, we are led into the contemplation of our Lord’s Passion, as the altar is stripped, and Psalm 22 is sung. We go out in silence into the darkness of evening, meditating upon Jesus’ descent into darkness on the night before his crucifixion.
The livestream may be found here.THE GREAT AND HOLY WEEK
2025
The Liturgy of the Palms
The Passion of our Lord
Jesus Christ according to Luke
Tuesday, April 15, 11:00
am
Ministers of the
Mid-Northeast Mission District renew their ordination vows
Blessing of the Oils
All are invited to this
service of Holy Communion
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 5000
Old William Penn Hwy, Export PA
Wednesday, April 16, 12:10
pm
Holy Communion with the
Laying on of Hands and Anointing
THE THREE DAYS
The Absolution of the
Penitents
The Gospel of the
Footwashing
The Institution of the
Lord’s Supper
The Stripping of the Altar
Good Friday: April 18, 12:30 pm and 7:30 pm
The Passion of our Lord
Jesus Christ according to John
The Bidding Prayer
The Adoration of the
Crucified
The Great Vigil of Easter: Saturday, April 19, 6:30 pm
The Easter Proclamation
Readings from Salvation
History
Renewal of Baptismal Vows
The first Eucharist of
Easter
The Resurrection of Our
Lord: Easter Sunday, April 20, 10:30 am
Easter Breakfast, 8:30 am
The Holy Communion, 10:30
am
Our services for Ash Wednesday will be held on March 5, 2025, at 12:30 pm and 7:00 pm.
Both services include the Imposition of Ashes for those who desire it and the Holy Communion.
The 7:00 pm service will be livestreamed on our Facebook page.
Jesus shows us the shape of the
blessed life - imitation of the Father’s constant and consistent mercy towards
human beings. It is ‘only human’ when people love those who benefit or delight
them. Love that is of God loves even enemies and does good to them. Such love
is only possible in and by the Spirit of God.
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Forty
days after the celebration of Christmas, the Church observes the festival of
the Presentation of our Lord. Since the festival falls on a Sunday this year,
we are given the opportunity to reflect upon the meaning of the event in our
worship. In many cultures, candles are blessed in the church on this day, remembering
Simeon’s exaltation of Jesus as ‘a light
to reveal [God] to the nations.’
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Click here for the order of service.
When Jesus stands up in the
synagogue in Nazareth, he continues the tradition begun in the time of Ezra and
Nehemiah – the reading of the Scripture with interpretation, which to this day
remains an integral part of Jewish and Christian worship. However, Jesus’
interpretation is unique and authoritative. He identifies himself and his
ministry with the promised fulfillment of God’s reign. He is the one on whom
the Spirit rests, who liberates people from bondage to sin, death, and evil.
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Marriage at Cana, Winifred Knights Museum of New Zealand |
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Click here for the worship bulletin.