Cairns Lutheran Parish would like to invite you to come and celebrate Easter with us, at one of the following worship services.
Easter Chapel – Friday 3rd April, 2009
8:45 am Peace Lutheran College (at the Multi Purpose Centre), Easter Chapel Service
Ingham Service of Thanksgiving – Saturday 4th April, 2009
9:00 am Ingham Lutheran Church
Palm Sunday – Sunday 5th April, 2009
8:00 am Trinity Lutheran Church, Service with Holy Communion
10:00 am Trinity Lutheran Church, Service with Holy Communion
11:00 am Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Service of the Word
Maundy Thursday – Thursday 9th April, 2009
7:00 pm Trinity Lutheran Church, Service with Holy Communion
Good Friday – Friday 10th April, 2009
8:00 am Trinity Lutheran Church, Service with Holy Communion
11:00 am Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Service with Holy Communion
Easter Sunday – Sunday 12th April, 2009
8:00 am Trinity Lutheran Church, Service with Holy Communion
10:00 am Trinity Lutheran Church, Service of the Word
11:00 am Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Service with Holy Communion
Follow the "READ MORE..." link below to find out more about why the Christian Church has celebrated these festivals for thousands of years.
Holy Week: Maundy Thursday
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread (1 Cor 11:23)
Holy or Maundy Thursday is the celebration of the institution of the Lord's Supper. The colour is white in honour of this 'feast of victory.' The name 'Maundy' comes from the Latin mandatum (commandment) from the Gospel reading (John 13:1-17,34) which speaks of the command to love one another and Jesus setting the example of what this means by washing his disciples feet. 'Maundy' therefore relates to the foot-washing rite that is often included as part of Holy Thursday services.
Other symbolic actions on Maundy Thursday include ringing the bells at the Gloria in excelsis (then leaving them silent until Easter) and omitting the Kiss of Peace in remembrance of Judas' kiss of betrayal. Where the Good Friday service is to be conducted in a church cleared of paraments and appointments, the Maundy Thursday service concludes with the stripping of the altar.
Holy Week: Good Friday
He endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne.
This verse from Isaiah (53:4) sets the tone for Good (originally probably 'God's') Friday. To show that the 'righteous, holy, sinless Son of God' has died, the colour of the day is black. In some churches the chancel furnishings are removed and the cross is veiled in black. The order for the day may include the Bidding Prayer and the rite of the Adoration of the Cross with the accompanying Reproaches.
Good Friday is the day of the year to meditate on what the Father has done for sinners through his Son's death, and what this implies for those who trust in his merits. As Martin Luther put it in his Small Catechism: who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. This is the heart of Good Friday.
Easter: the Festival and Season of the Resurrection
Hallelujah! The Lord is risen indeed: O come, let us worship him. Hallelujah!
Easter Sunday is a total reversal of Good Friday: the bare sanctuary is now decked out in flowers and greenery. Christ's victory over sin, death, and Satan is a cause for great celebration. The colour white, for victory, glory and majesty, contributes to the festive spirit. The season of Easter, which continues until Pentecost, is in complete contrast to Lent. The practice of not kneeling in worship during the season emphasises the difference.
The festival falls on the Sunday immediately after the first full moon that occurs on or after March 21. Pascha (from Passover) was the ancient name; 'Easter' comes from the name of a spring goddess. Easter is the central, the oldest, and the most influential of the Christian festivals. The other festivals flow from it, as does the Christian practice of worshipping each Sunday.
One of a series on the church year, © Emmaus Educational 2000