Tag Archives: Vigil of Easter

Looking Forward to Holy Week 2019

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Holy Week Schedule

We are looking forward to our annual observance of Holy Week here at MLLC in Carmine.  This is a powerful event which connects us to the core message and story of Jesus Christ.

We invite you to participate in these meaningful and reflective services.  Each is quite unique from what we do on other days of the year.  The actions and words in worship guide us through the various events of this final week of Jesus’ ministry.

In recent years some people have gotten out of the good habit of participating in the various Holy Week services.  This year can be a blessed opportunity for any and all to recommit to engaging in the story of Jesus through the Holy Week services.

We will share our services with our partner church, Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter.  Information about when and where we will be gathered for worship is noted in the schedule.  Here is the link to the Holy Week 2019 schedule:  click link.

Vigil of Easter 2018

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with , ,

EasterVigilCandles

Saturday, March 31, 2018, is the date of the Great Vigil of Easter, Holy Saturday, at MLLC.  For many in the church around the world, this is the centerpiece of their year as followers of Jesus.

 

Click this link to view a blog post from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) regarding this service and its connections with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Click this link to view a blog post by our own Jennifer Clark Tinker which tells about her experience and joy related to attending the Great Vigil of Easter each year.

 

An Introduction to the Vigil of Easter

Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Bridegroom who is chief host and guest at the Resurrection feast to come.

First, we must break the darkness of the night.   Like the virgins in the parable, we must light our vigil lights. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness — of night, of sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Resurrection victory during the coming season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the Bridegroom.

When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the stories of our faith — the stories of God’s salvation history and the covenants which he made with our people. These are our “family” stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the feast to come.

After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be right for the feast. On some years those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with us this night, making all who are here part of the Church family, known as the Bride of Christ.  Each year, so that the whole family is prepared, each of us reaffirms our faith through the Apostles Creed. As we interact with the water and the Lord, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through our baptism.

We are nearly ready. The time is close.  We prepare the room and set the table for the Feast of Victory, the First Holy Communion of this greatest festival day of all. And then at last He comes! The Resurrection victory is won! The Bridegroom has come through the darkness to claim his Bride, the Church, to be his own. This is the feast of victory!  In the end flowers and banners must adorn the space, for our time this evening and tomorrow will be a feast to remember.

Our Celebrations of the Resurrection of Jesus

The Great Vigil of Easter – 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 31 – see the introduction above. Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Sunrise – 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 1, at the Carmine Cemetery. Bring a lawn or folding chair for seating.  Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Festival – Sunday April 1.  Opportunities at both MLLC and Waldeck

MLLC Schedule:

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School in the Fellowship Hall.  A light reception in the Parlor, near the sanctuary entrance and church offices.

10:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~11:15 a.m. – Easter Egg Hunt

 

Waldeck Schedule:

8:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~9:00 a.m. – Pot-luck Easter Breakfast – bring an item to share

9:30 a.m./After Breakfast – Easter Egg Hunt

Holy Week Schedule 2018

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with , , , , ,

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Week – Celebrating the Saving Work of Jesus Christ

We invite you to be part of our celebrations and observances as we remember all the great things Jesus has done for us.  Every year around this time we gather to ponder anew the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.  We get to revisit the central parts of our life and faith with him.

Everything else in our life and faith makes sense and matters because of the things we ponder this week.  Each service has a focus on the various actions and events in this final week of Jesus’ ministry on earth.

Palm Sunday reenacts Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.

Maundy Thursday revisits the major actions of Jesus at the Last supper with his Disciples.  These include the washing of the Disciples’ Feet, the Command to Love, the Institution of the Holy Communion, and the Arrest of Jesus.

Good Friday invites us to gather at the Cross of Christ.  On the Cross he suffers and dies for the forgiveness of our sin.

On Holy Saturday we gather for the Great Vigil of Easter.  In this time we gather with the followers of Jesus to wait for the fulfillment of his promise to Rise from the dead.  In this service we light a new fire in hope of the Resurrection.  We tell the stories of faith from the Old Testament.  We celebrate the gift of Baptism which is our holy connection to the death and resurrection of Jesus.  In the end we renew our commitment to follow Jesus as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper at the beginning of our Resurrection Celebration.

Early on Sunday we gather in the Carmine Cemetery for our Easter Sunrise Service.  This is an ancient tradition of Christians.  Our brothers and sisters in the faith have gathered in cemeteries early on Easter Sunday since the earliest days of the Church.  We do this to reconnect with the place of Jesus’ Resurrection.  He was raised from the dead in a graveyard of sorts, the borrowed tomb in which Jesus’ body was placed.  It was early in the morning on the first day of the week, as we read in John chapter 20.

Later that morning we celebrate with the whole Church that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead.

Here is the schedule of our Holy Week Services.  We will also include the schedule of services at our partner church, Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church near Ledbetter.

All are welcome at these services at either church.

Palm Sunday Weekend

Saturday, March 24 – 6:00 p.m. at Carmine

Sunday, March 25 – 8:00 a.m. at Waldeck; 10:00 a.m. at Carmine.  Both Sunday services will include the procession of Palms.  Waldeck will also include the Passion story from Mark’s Gospel.

 

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, March 29 – 5:45 p.m. at Waldeck; 7:30 p.m. at Carmine

 

Good Friday

Friday, March 30 – 7:00 p.m. at Carmine

 

Holy Saturday

– The Great Vigil of Easter

Saturday, March 31 – 7:00 p.m. at Carmine

 

Easter Sunday – The Resurrection of our Lord

Sunrise Service – 6:45 a.m. at the Carmine Cemetery – bring a lawn chair for seating.  We will gather among the graves.  If inclement weather we will gather in the pavilion at the cemetery.

At Waldeck:  8:00 a.m. Festival Service – outside in the pavilion on the south end of the church building.  If inclement weather, inside the church.  Holy Communion.

The service will be followed by a pot-luck brunch in Annex.  An Egg Hunt will be offered around 9:30 a.m.

 

At Carmine:  9:00 a.m. – Sunday School in Fellowship Hall.  Also, a reception with kolaches, coffee, etc. will be offered in the Parlor (the room next to the sanctuary.)

10:00 a.m. Easter Festival Service with Holy Communion.

11:15 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt, outside the Sanctuary entrance.

After Easter:

After Easter Sunday, both churches will resume their regular weekend schedule:

Carmine:  Sunday School at 9:00 a.m.; Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m.

Worship on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 6:00 p.m.

 

Waldeck:  Sunday Worship at 8:00 a.m.; Sunday school at 9:15 a.m.

Vigil of Easter – April 15

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with , , , , ,

EasterVigilCandles

 

The Great Vigil of Easter

Saturday, April 15, 7 p.m.

Click this link to view a blog post from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) regarding this service and its connections with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Click this link to view a blog post by our own Jennifer Clark Tinker which tells about her experience and joy related to attending the Great Vigil of Easter each year.

 

An Introduction to the Vigil of Easter

Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Bridegroom who is chief host and guest at the Resurrection feast to come.

First, we must break the darkness of the night.   Like the virgins in the parable, we must light our vigil lights. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness — of night, of sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Resurrection victory during the coming season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the Bridegroom.

When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the stories of our faith — the stories of God’s salvation history and the covenants which he made with our people. These are our “family” stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the feast to come.

After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be right for the feast. On some years those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with us this night, making all who are here part of the Church family, known as the Bride of Christ.  Each year, so that the whole family is prepared, each of us reaffirms our faith through the Apostles Creed. As we interact with the water and the Lord, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through our baptism.

We are nearly ready. The time is close.  We prepare the room and set the table for the Feast of Victory, the First Holy Communion of this greatest festival day of all. And then at last He comes! The Resurrection victory is won! The Bridegroom has come through the darkness to claim his Bride, the Church, to be his own. This is the feast of victory!  In the end flowers and banners must adorn the space, for our time this evening and tomorrow will be a feast to remember.

Our Celebrations of the Resurrection of Jesus

The Great Vigil of Easter – 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 – see the introduction below. Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Sunrise – 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 16, at the Carmine Cemetery. Bring a lawn or folding chair for seating.  Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Festival – Sunday April 16.  Opportunities at both MLLC and Waldeck

MLLC Schedule:

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School

10:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~11:15 a.m. – Easter Egg Hunt

 

Waldeck Schedule:

8:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~9:00 a.m. – Pot-luck Easter Breakfast – bring an item to share

9:30 a.m./After Breakfast – Easter Egg Hunt

 

The Vigil of Easter – March 26

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

EasterVigilCandles

Three Celebrations of the Resurrection

1:  The Great Vigil of Easter – 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 – see the introduction below.

2:  Easter Sunrise – 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, at the Carmine Cemetery

3:  Easter Festival – 9 a.m. on Sunday

The Easter Breakfast will take place at 8 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

The Easter Egg hunt will follow worship on the church lawn, or in the fellowship hall if weather is unfavorable.

The Great Vigil of Easter

Saturday, March 26, 7 p.m.

Click this link to view a blog post by our own Jennifer Clark Tinker which tells about her experience and joy related to attending the Great Vigil of Easter each year.

 

An Introduction to the Vigil of Easter

Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Bridegroom who is chief host and guest at the Resurrection feast to come.

First, we must break the darkness of the night.   Like the virgins in the parable, we must light our vigil lights. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness — of night, of sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Resurrection victory during the coming season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the Bridegroom.

When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the stories of our faith — the stories of God’s salvation history and the covenants which he made with our people. These are our “family” stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the feast to come.

After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be right for the feast. On some years those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with us this night, making all who are here part of the Church family, known as the Bride of Christ.  Each year, so that the whole family is prepared, each of us reaffirms our faith through the Apostles Creed. As we interact with the water and the Lord, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through our baptism.

We are nearly ready. The time is close.  We prepare the room and set the table for the Feast of Victory, the First Holy Communion of this greatest festival day of all. And then at last He comes! The Resurrection victory is won! The Bridegroom has come through the darkness to claim his Bride, the Church, to be his own. This is the feast of victory!  In the end flowers and banners must adorn the space, for our time this evening and tomorrow will be a feast to remember.

 

Holy Week Schedule 2016

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

Holy Week Schedule

We invite you to Holy Week 2016

 

Maundy Thursday, March 24

Maundy bread wine
Worship at 7:00 p.m.
Remembering the Last Supper,
Washing of Feet and Hands, First Holy Communion, Presentation of Bibles to First Communion Candidates

 

Good Friday, March 25

Good Friday nails crown thorns

7:00 p.m.
Prayer and Readings, Tenebrae,
Remembering Jesus’ death on the cross.
Reflections by the Apostle John

 

Note the Three Options for attending Worship on Easter:

A grand celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday at 7:30 a.m.
Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
Details below:

 

The Resurrection of Our Lord: The Vigil of Easter, March 26

Vigil cross symbols

Worship at 7:00 p.m. (will last until about 8:20-8:30 p.m.)
Service of Light, Service of Readings,
Baptisms or Remembrance of Baptism, Initial Holy Communion of Easter
Entry of Easter Flowers into Sanctuary

 

The Resurrection of our Lord:  Resurrection Sunday, March 27

Resurrection Easter cross flowers
Sunrise Service 7:30 a.m. – Carmine Cemetery – bring a lawn or folding chair for seating.  The service will be held at the covered pavilion at the cemetery in the event of rain.

.
Easter Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – in Fellowship Hall

.
Festival Worship 9:00 a.m. – Sanctuary

.

Sunday School Resurrection Celebration and Egg Hunt ~10:15 a.m.

Preparing for Maundy Thursday

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

CommunionBreadWineThursday, April 2 is our Maundy Thursday service.  We invite you to gather with the people of God at MLLC at 7:00 p.m.

We believe it is an important and faith enriching experience to be part of these special days.  Worship will be each night at 7:00 p.m.  These Three Days together are called the Great Triduum.

*Maundy Thursday – April 2 – We connect with the events of the Last Supper of Jesus with his Apostles.  We also remember his betrayal and arrest.

*Good Friday – April 3 – We connect with the suffering, death and entombment of Jesus Christ.

*The Great Vigil of Easter – April 4 – We remember the waiting of the followers of Jesus when he was in the tomb and before he was raised from the dead.  We celebrate the victory of the Resurrection from the dead of Jesus.

Here is the introduction we use for 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 on April 3 at 7:00 p.m. We will also gather on Saturday evening, April 4 at 7 p.m. for the Vigil of Easter.

Holy Week is Coming Soon

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

Holy-Week-Worship-Art

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.  It is all listed on our recently updated main church page:  Here is the Link.

Triple Baptism – April 19

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

Vigil 14 Baptism 1

At the Great Vigil of Easter – Saturday, April 19, 2014, we welcomed three new Christians into God’s family:  Tonia, Ally and Judd.  Each of these received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at the Vigil.  We are very thankful for God’s gift of faith and the work he is already doing in the lives of these three.  As newly baptized Christians they are also new members of MLLC.  Ally and Tonia also received the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time as Christians at this service.  It was a joyful evening for all involved.

Check out this page to learn more about our Great Vigil of Easter.

 

The Great Vigil of Easter is the ancient time when New Christians have been baptized.  Every year, including 2014, thousands of people are baptized all over the world at  Great Vigil of Easter services such as we had at MLLC.  Many congregations also use this special service to receive new members into the congregation.  My own son was baptized at the Great Vigil of Easter in 2004 at the congregation I served in North Liberty, Indiana, at that time.

 

Here are some more photos from the baptisms of Tonia, Ally and Judd on April 19.

Vigil Baptism 2 Vigil Baptism 3 Vigil Baptism 4

The Biggest Night of the Year – the Vigil of Easter

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

Image

This is the Night when we gather for the Vigil of Easter. It is an ancient special service of the Church.  It is very different than anything else we do throughout the year. We gather at 7 p.m. on Saturday Night, April 19.  We look forward to seeing you at the Great Vigil of Easter.

Here is the rest of our Holy Week Schedule:  Click link.

Here is a perspective on this day from Deaconess Jennifer Clark Tinker, who is a member at Martin Luther Lutheran Church:  click this link for Jen’s Reflection.

Here is the introduction to this day as we will have it in our service bulletin:

An Introduction to the Vigil of Easter
Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Bridegroom who is chief host and guest at the Resurrection feast to come.
First, we must break the darkness of the night. Like the virgins in the parable, we must light our vigil lights. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness — of night, of sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Resurrection victory during the coming season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the Bridegroom.
When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the stories of our faith — the stories of God’s salvation history and the covenants which he made with our people. These are our “family” stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the feast to come.
After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be right for the feast. On some years those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with us this night, making all who are here part of the family, which is the Church and the Bride of Christ. Each year, so that the whole family is prepared, each of us renews our baptismal vows. As we interact with the water and the Lord, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through our baptism.
We are nearly ready. The time is close. We prepare the room and set the table for the Feast of Victory, the First Holy Communion of this greatest festival day of all. And then at last He comes! The Resurrection victory is won! The Bridegroom has come through the darkness to claim his Bride, the Church, to be his own. This is the feast of victory! In the end flowers and banners must adorn the space, for our time this evening and tomorrow will be a feast to remember.

 

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