Tag Archives: Holy Week

Introduction to Maundy Thursday

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements, Pastor's Ponderings and tagged with , , ,

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We gather this evening at 7 p.m. for Worship on this Maundy Thursday.

Here is the introduction to this Sacred Day which we use at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine.

An Introduction to Maundy Thursday
The Maundy Thursday service is one of endings and beginnings. What was begun on Ash Wednesday is brought to a close here today. What begins today does not end until the Day of Resurrection. It is the ancient Triduum, “The Three Sacred Days,” which lead us to the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
The theme is love, our Savior’s love for us, expressed in the washing of the disciples’ feet, in giving himself in bread and wine, in dying upon the cross. An invitation to confession is given. The focus is on forgiveness. On Ash Wednesday, we began Lent with a major act of confession and ashes, but we did not receive a strong statement of forgiveness in the absolution. That bold announcement of forgiveness comes now, “In the mercy of almighty God,” and “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” at the service celebrating Christ’s love.
The lessons of love are read. A new command derives from it: “Love one another.” The name “Maundy” comes from the first word of the Latin form of John 13:34: “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” (“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”). This self-giving love is demonstrated in the washing of feet. The prayers are said. The table is made ready. The time of the Lord’s Supper arrives, and our Lord is revealed in bread and wine as once he “revealed himself to his disciples.” It is a solemn moment, but we cannot linger here. Nor could the Lord, for His betrayal was imminent.
Before we know it, the markings of betrayal are seen before us. The symbol of Christ in our midst, the altar, is stripped bare. Christ is stripped of his power and glory. Good Friday is inescapable. The powers of darkness work upon him.
In silence, we depart without benediction. The Three Sacred Days continue with the Good Friday service tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. We will also gather on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. for the Vigil of Easter.

 

Thanks to Pr. Thomas L. Weitzel, ELCA.  This introduction is adapted from his original work.

 

First Communion is on Maundy Thursday at MLLC

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements, Youth and tagged with , , , , ,

First Holy Communion Prep 1

As part of our Holy Week observance we celebrate the First Holy Communion for our youth.  This year we have one youth who will begin participating in this wonderful Sacrament of the Church.  He has participated in First Holy Communion classes during Lent this year.  This included Bible Study, discussions, a “field trip” to the Sacristy (the room where the communion is prepared, and the communion vessels are stored), decorating a chalice for receiving his First Communion, videos and bread making.

The Junior High Sunday School class helped the student with the bread making.  Much of the bread used for Holy Communion at MLLC is made by our youth, as well as other church members.  Above is a photo of the students and their teacher preparing the bread on Palm Sunday 2014.  This recipe makes a flat bread, and it is cooked almost like a pancake.  Thank you Esther for teaching our youth how to make this bread for this special day.  Very tasty and important ministry.

 

Here are the youth and the First Holy Communion student after they have sampled the finished product.  Our candidate for First Holy Communion is in the red/white plaid shirt, 2nd from the right.

First Holy Communion Prep 2

As part of worship on this Maundy Thursday the student will also receive a Bible from the congregation.  This he will use for personal reading, Sunday School, Confirmation Class, and the like.  We partner with parents in helping them to fulfill the vows they made at their children’s baptism.  There is a line in the liturgy of Holy Baptism which reads, “place in their hands the holy scriptures…” At the Maundy Thursday service a Bible will be given to the parent, and then that Bible will be placed in the hands of the student.  It is a loving ritual form of fulfilling this promise.  Here is a photo of the Bible, next to the Baptismal Font, and  with our Holy Communion banner in the background.

First Holy Communion Bible 14

 

Click here to read more about First Holy Communion at MLLC.

Click here to see our Holy Week Schedule for 2014.

Holy Week Message from our Presiding Bishop

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements, ELCA, Pastor's Ponderings, Synod and tagged with , , , , , , ,

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Photo from the Flossenburg Chapel, as noted in the Good Friday Message.  This photo is from this blog site:  click

 

We are in the midst of Holy Week 2014.  We have moved from the joyful entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and we remember that he is headed to the cross.  As we follow in the way of Jesus we reflect on the truth of the cross.  Here is a powerful message from our ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.

Click this link for the Good Friday Message

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Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) – the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton

This was first published in “The Lutheran” magazine, and comes to us through our Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod web site blog.

Welcome to Holy Week 2014

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with , , , , , ,

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The central events of the life and ministry of Jesus will be celebrated this coming week.  From Palm Sunday weekend through Resurrection Sunday (Easter Sunday) we will be revisiting the most important events in the history of humankind.  Through prayer, God’s Word, Sacraments and faithful action we will be reconnecting with the greatest things which God has done for us.  Plan on gathering with the people of God at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine this coming week.  Click here for a link to our Holy Week Schedule.

Invitation to Lent & Holy Week

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

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The centerpiece of the church year is the season of Lent and the events of Holy Week.  We invite you to be part of our revisiting of these core events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Click over to our Lent & Holy Week Schedule to find out more.

https://mllccarmine.com/lent-and-holy-week-2014/