From the first followers of Jesus to this day, the three most important words are these:  Christ is risen!  In the next week we live through the reminder of all those words mean in the high and holy drama of Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.  In the events of these high and holy days we will participate in a grand and holy drama, but it is not just a story. 

In the words of Brian McLaren, it is “The story we find ourselves in...,” which may be read in several ways.  First, this story of Christ tried, crucified, buried, and risen again, becomes our story in the waters of Baptism, as we were and are united with Christ in this holy pilgrimage from death into life.  Yet, it is also the story in which we as hungry and seeking people can find ourselves, with real meaning for real life in a real world.

However you read it, come and join in the holy pilgrimage from palms to the empty tomb.  For those new to our worship life, the events of Holy Week might seem a little strange, here is a quick overview:

Palm Sunday/The Passion of Our Lord (4/1 Sunday morning and evening)

Worship begins with a raucous procession of palm-waving children and choristers leading all in glad shouts of “Hosanna!”  Although the service begins with great fervor and joy, the mood quickly changes as we turn our focus to the reading of the Passion story.

Maundy Thursday (4/5  4:00p & 7:30p)

Historically, there are two primary actions at this service:  celebrating the Lord’s Supper and the stripping of the altar.  Both take on heightened meaning as we move ever closer to the tragedy of Good Friday.  This year we will end with Prayer around the Cross. Service times are 4:00p and 7:30p.

Good Friday (4/6  4:00p & 7:30p)

The Sammamish Plateau Area Ministries churches (S.P.A.M.) will once again host a “Stages of the Cross” service at noon at Trinity Lutheran College.  For more information on the service, talk to Pr. John.

At 4:00p and 7:30 p.m. we will gather for the adoration of the cross, a service which begins with the lighting of candles and ends in the darkness of Christ’s crucifixion.  Come, let us adore the crucified Christ.

Easter Vigil (4/7 7:30p) 

One of the oldest services of the Church year is the Easter Vigil.  In ancient times there were those faithful followers who would stay up through the night to watch for the good news of an empty tomb on Easter morning.  We won’t be staying up all night, however, this is arguably the most quiet and intimate service of the Easter celebration.

The Resurrection of Our Lord/Easter Sunday (4/20)

For the hale and hearty, meet at the High Point Tiger Mountain parking lot where we’ll be leaving at 5:30 to carry the cross to the Talus Caves.  Once at the caves, we’ll welcome the new dawn with an Easter Sunrise service.  Prayers for sunrise and not pounding rain are welcome)

 At 7:00 & 8:30 a.m., all are encouraged to sing the Resurrection song in the traditional hymns of the Church.  The 10:00 a.m. service will be lead by a select worship team. We will gather at 11.27 for a quieter and more contemplative celebration of Easter.  Finally, at 7:30 p.m., all are invited to sing the Resurrection song at the First Night service in the Fellowship Hall.  Want to share the good news with a friend?  Invite them to come with you!

April 1 Palm Sunday/The Passion of Our Lord    What Is Triumph?

Praises to persecution.  How did things change so fast?  Where were the people who cheered Jesus’ name when the cheers turned to curses?  This Sunday we travel that road, that lonely road to the hill far away where the cross of Christ stands for all to see.

April 5  Maundy Thursday  4:00 & 7:30p

(Readings: Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35)  On this night we celebrate the gift of a meal.  Not just any meal, but the Lord’s meal.  It goes by many names, to include the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, and, the oldest, the Eucharist.  The first name reminds us it is a meal, simple and yet elegant, but a meal served at a table where all are gathered to taste and see, the Lord is good.  The second name, Holy Communion¸ reminds us it is no ordinary meal, for the promise of this meal is of the indwelling of Christ’s Body with the bread, and Christ’s blood with the wine in a meal that somehow makes us one with Him. 

The third name, Eucharist, also has its place, for this name, translated “thanksgiving,” reminds us this is a meal we receive with thanks and joy.  Come, for the meal, as part of one Body, giving thanks all the way, while we taste and see the Lord is good. 

April 6 Good Friday   4:00 & 7:30p

(Readings: Isaiah 52:13--53:12; Psalm 22; John 18:1--19:42)  The grand drama of Holy Week continues. The Son of God takes on the suffering, brokenness, and abandonment of all humanity.  Finally, he takes on our death.

April 7  Holy Saturday-Easter Vigil  7:30p

(Readings:  Romans 6:3-11; John 20:1-18) In the early church the Easter Vigil began late at night and was a means of keeping watch “vigil” through the night.  The service begins with a procession through the darkened rooms of the church and all crying out, “Christ is risen!”  The procession ends in the sanctuary where we find the darkness of Good Friday has been replaced by the glad light of Easter. 

EASTER SUNDAY April 8  THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD

(Readings:  1 Corinthians 15:19-26; Luke 24:1-12) If you had been there to witness the events of three days prior, it appeared death and all the forces of darkness had won.  And you would be wrong.  For, come the third day, the grave was empty, the grave clothes were cast off, and the Lord of Life had risen, just as he said.  Come, celebrate the victory of Christ’s live over death.  Come, join the glad shouts and songs, for, Christ is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

•      5:30a  Talus Caves Sunrise Service (an introduction to the day, but not a full service…)
  Caves on Tiger Mountain.  A cross will lead our journey through the twilight of early dawn, stopping along the way to experience various portions of the first Easter dawn.  Arriving at the caves, there will be singing, prayers, and the final readings.  All are welcome, but please remember, there is elevation gain and the cold of dawn involved in this trek.  For more information, contact Pr. John  prjohn@shlc.org.
   

• 7:00a  Sanctuary Sunrise Service

• 8:30a  Sanctuary Traditional Service

• 10:00a  Sanctuary Contemporary 

• 11.27a  Sanctuary  Emergent

• 7:30p    First Night Arisen!

SUNDAY  April 15  Peace be with you! (Easter 2)

(Readings: Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 150; John 20:19-31)  Normally we talk about Thomas’ doubt on this Sunday, but what comes before the doubt?  Jesus enters the room and offers His peace.  The peace of Christ is what we all need.  How can we really share His peace?

SUNDAY April 22  Reconciliation! (Easter 3)

(Readings: Acts 9:1-6 (7-20); Psalm 30; John 21:1-19) Reconciliation is a big word which defines a big act:  what was torn apart is healed.  Not just stitched or glued together-healed!  Where do you need that word in your life?

SUNDAY April 29  The Lord is My Shepherd!  Yours?  (Easter 4)

(Readings:  Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30)  Even in an era that adores the new and ever changing, there are words that still shape us over time like water over hard rock.  The water always wins...  Psalm 23 has just such words, The Lord is my shepherd...  Come, be shaped in the image of a very good Shepherd.