Lent and Holy Week at Good ShepherD
Ash Wednesday: February 14
7:00 p.m. – Divine Service
This day marks the first day of Lent, a period of repentance and spiritual renewal. The Old Testament reading, Joel 2:12-19 summons us to fast, while reminding us that the fast needs to be in our hearts, too, and not just an outward show. The Gospel reading, Matthew 6:16-21, further admonishes us not to be hypocrites when we fast. A significant characteristic of this day is the imposition of ashes before the service, with the sobering words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Recognizing our mortality–the just consequence of sin–we turn to the Lord, who feeds us in the Supper with the medicine of immortality, the seed of the resurrection.
Midweek Lenten Services
Dates: February 21, 28 and March 6, 13, 20
7:00 p.m. – Vespers (with a brief service of the Sacrament to follow)
Throughout Lent, we will have Midweek services every Wednesday focusing on the passion of Christ.
Palm Sunday: March 24
9:00 a.m. – Divine Service
Palm Sunday begins our Holy Week as we sing, “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” and hosannas greet the coming Messiah and King. As the palm branches and joy dissipate on this day, the Church is then led in Holy Week as we will sing, “No Tramp of Soldiers Marching Feet.” Through the many rites and services of Holy Week, we are brought into Jerusalem to travel with Jesus to His cross and resurrection.
Holy Thursday: March 28
7:00 p.m. — Divine Service
The Holy Thursday (sometimes called "Maundy Thursday") Divine Service begins the Triduum, the three Holy Days which comprise our Lord's passion, death, and resurrection. At the Holy Thursday service, we hear our Lord's "new command" to love one another. Remembering our Lord's institution of the Holy Eucharist followed by His arrest in Gethsemane, the service concludes with the stripping of the altar as the choir sings Psalm 22 ("My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?").
Good Friday: March 29
7:00 p.m. — Divine Service
The evening Divine Service is based on the Good Friday rite that developed in Jerusalem. The church appears stark, with the adornments having been removed on Holy Thursday. The pastor is vested simply, with the beginning focus on the reading of St. John's passion. After the sermon, the haunting reproaches are sung by a Pastor and Choir, with the congregation singing the beloved "Lamb of God, Pure and Holy." After the bidding prayer and the unveiling of the cross, the congregation's mournful lamentations are turned to triumphant joy as the sixth-century hymn to the cross, "Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle," is sung to the stirring modern tune by Lutheran composer Carl Schalk. The Lord's Supper liturgy follows an old and very simple form We receive the Gifts of our Lord knowing that "as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we show forth the Lord's death until He comes."
Holy Saturday: March 30
7:00 p.m. — The Great Vigil of Easter
The Great Vigil begins outside (weather permitting) for the lighting of the New Fire. After the Paschal Candle is blessed, worshipers process with candles into the darkened church for the Great Thanksgiving. After a series of readings detailing the prophecies of the Messiah, the song of the three young men rescued from the fiery furnace is sung. The Mystery of Baptism is central to the meaning of the Great Vigil. Then the Litany of the Resurrection is prayed, followed by the reading of St. John's account of the Resurrection of Jesus. "Christ is Risen!" exclaims the Pastor, and the congregation responds, "He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"
The Resurrection of Our Lord—Easter Sunday
No Sunday School or Bible Class
9:00 a.m. — Festival Divine Service
The queen of feasts and Sunday of Sundays, the Resurrection Divine Service fills the church with exuberant joy in our Lord's victory over sin, death, hell, and the devil.
7:00 p.m. – Divine Service
This day marks the first day of Lent, a period of repentance and spiritual renewal. The Old Testament reading, Joel 2:12-19 summons us to fast, while reminding us that the fast needs to be in our hearts, too, and not just an outward show. The Gospel reading, Matthew 6:16-21, further admonishes us not to be hypocrites when we fast. A significant characteristic of this day is the imposition of ashes before the service, with the sobering words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Recognizing our mortality–the just consequence of sin–we turn to the Lord, who feeds us in the Supper with the medicine of immortality, the seed of the resurrection.
Midweek Lenten Services
Dates: February 21, 28 and March 6, 13, 20
7:00 p.m. – Vespers (with a brief service of the Sacrament to follow)
Throughout Lent, we will have Midweek services every Wednesday focusing on the passion of Christ.
Palm Sunday: March 24
9:00 a.m. – Divine Service
Palm Sunday begins our Holy Week as we sing, “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” and hosannas greet the coming Messiah and King. As the palm branches and joy dissipate on this day, the Church is then led in Holy Week as we will sing, “No Tramp of Soldiers Marching Feet.” Through the many rites and services of Holy Week, we are brought into Jerusalem to travel with Jesus to His cross and resurrection.
Holy Thursday: March 28
7:00 p.m. — Divine Service
The Holy Thursday (sometimes called "Maundy Thursday") Divine Service begins the Triduum, the three Holy Days which comprise our Lord's passion, death, and resurrection. At the Holy Thursday service, we hear our Lord's "new command" to love one another. Remembering our Lord's institution of the Holy Eucharist followed by His arrest in Gethsemane, the service concludes with the stripping of the altar as the choir sings Psalm 22 ("My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?").
Good Friday: March 29
7:00 p.m. — Divine Service
The evening Divine Service is based on the Good Friday rite that developed in Jerusalem. The church appears stark, with the adornments having been removed on Holy Thursday. The pastor is vested simply, with the beginning focus on the reading of St. John's passion. After the sermon, the haunting reproaches are sung by a Pastor and Choir, with the congregation singing the beloved "Lamb of God, Pure and Holy." After the bidding prayer and the unveiling of the cross, the congregation's mournful lamentations are turned to triumphant joy as the sixth-century hymn to the cross, "Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle," is sung to the stirring modern tune by Lutheran composer Carl Schalk. The Lord's Supper liturgy follows an old and very simple form We receive the Gifts of our Lord knowing that "as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we show forth the Lord's death until He comes."
Holy Saturday: March 30
7:00 p.m. — The Great Vigil of Easter
The Great Vigil begins outside (weather permitting) for the lighting of the New Fire. After the Paschal Candle is blessed, worshipers process with candles into the darkened church for the Great Thanksgiving. After a series of readings detailing the prophecies of the Messiah, the song of the three young men rescued from the fiery furnace is sung. The Mystery of Baptism is central to the meaning of the Great Vigil. Then the Litany of the Resurrection is prayed, followed by the reading of St. John's account of the Resurrection of Jesus. "Christ is Risen!" exclaims the Pastor, and the congregation responds, "He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"
The Resurrection of Our Lord—Easter Sunday
No Sunday School or Bible Class
9:00 a.m. — Festival Divine Service
The queen of feasts and Sunday of Sundays, the Resurrection Divine Service fills the church with exuberant joy in our Lord's victory over sin, death, hell, and the devil.