Maundy Thursday Worship Service
CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS
For those preparing to receive the Lord’s Supper
1. Do You believe that you are a sinner?
Yes, I believe that I am a sinner.
2. How do you know this?
I know this from the Ten Commandments, which I have not kept.
3. Are you sorry for your sins?
Yes, I am sorry that I have sinned against God.
4. What have you deserved from God because of your sins?
I deserve His wrath and displeasure, temporal death, and eternal damnation.
5. Do you hope to be saved?
Yes, such is my hope.
6. In whom, then, do you trust?
I trust in my dear Lord Jesus Christ.
7. Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, true God and Man.
8. How many Gods are there?
There is only one God; but there are three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
9. What has Christ done for you that you trust in him?
He died for me and shed His blood for me on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
10 Did the Father also die for you?
He did not; for the Father is God only, the Holy Spirit likewise. But the Son is true God and true Man. He died for me and shed His blood for me.
11 How do you know this?
I know this from the holy Gospel and from the words of the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
12 Which are those words?
The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, gave it to His disciples and said, “Take eat. This is My body, which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
13 Do you believe, then, that the true body and blood of Christ are in the Sacrament?
Yes, I believe it.
14 What moves you to believe this?
I am moved to believe this by the words of Christ, “Take, and eat. This is My body….Drink from it, all of you. This cup is the new covenant in My blood.”
15 What does Christ want you to do when you eat His body and drink his blood in the Lord’s Supper?
Christ wants me to remember and proclaim His death and the pouring out of His blood as He taught me: “Do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
16 Why does Christ want you to remember and proclaim His death?
He wants me to do this so that: (1) I learn to believe that no creature could make satisfaction for my sins, but only Christ, Who is true God and Man could and did do that; (2) I learn to look with terror upon my sins and regard them as great indeed; (3) I find joy and comfort in Christ alone and believe that I have salvation through faith in Him.
17 What moved Him to die and make a complete payment for your sins?
He was moved to do this by the great love for His Father and for me and other sinners, as the Scriptures teach (John 14:31; Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2).
18 Finally, why do you desire to receive Holy Communion?
I desire to do this so that I learn to believe that Christ out of great love died for my sins and that I also learn of Him to love God and my neighbor.
19 What admonishes and moves you to receive Holy Communion frequently?
The command and the promise of Christ my Lord admonishes and moves me. Also, the burden of sin which lies heavy upon me causes me to feel a hunger and thirst for Holy Communion.
20 But what can a person do if he is not aware of the burden of sin and does not feel hunger and thirst for Holy Communion?
To such a person no better advice can be given than that, in the first place, he put his hand into his bosom and feel whether he still has flesh and blood, and that he by all means believes what the Scriptures say about this (Galatians 5:17,19-21; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 7:18). Secondly, that he look around to see whether he is still in the world and keep in mind that there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say (John 15:18-25; Matthew 24:9-13; Acts 14:22). Thirdly, he will certainly have the devil also about him, who with his lying and murdering, day and night, will let him have no peace, as the Scriptures picture him (John 8:44; I Peter 5 8; Eph 6:10-12; 2 Timothy 2:26).
21 What can you do if you are sick and are unable to come to Holy Communion?
Then I can send for my pastor to pray with me and to give me Holy Communion privately.
22 When is the proper time to do this?
The time to do this is not only when death is at hand, but earlier before all physical and mental power is gone.
23 Why would you want to do this?
I would want to do this to receive the assurance through Holy Communion that my sins are forgiven and that salvation is mine.
A Brief Historical Background
on Lent and Holy Week
From the earliest days of the Christian Church, the celebration of Easter was preceded by a period of preparation known as Lent. Perhaps the most talked about custom of Lent is the practice of fasting. At first the length of the period of fasting varied widely. Eventually, the fast was extended to 40 days, to coincide with the period of the Lord’s temptations in the wilderness (found in Matt 4). Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter. It remains to this day a period of penitential reflection upon our sins and our Savior’s supreme sacrifice for us. During Lent many congregations incorporate into their worship schedule additional midweek services which focus on the penitential character of the season. By tradition, the four Gospel accounts that chronicle the final days leading up to Christ’s crucifixion are read during these services as a way of enhancing our understanding of and appreciation for Christ’s sufferings. The period of Lent (from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday) technically spans 46 days. Christians who observe this season typically subtract from those 46 days the 6 Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter, reserving them as moments of celebration pointing ahead to Christ’s resurrection. Thus, the penitential days of Lent are 40 in number.
Wednesday of Holy Week has been given the name “Spy Wednesday,” owing to the Gospels recording it as the day when the treacherous covenant to betray Jesus was consummated by Judas and the chief priests.
Thursday in Holy Week has always been a day of great significance in the Church, chiefly because it commemorates the institution of the Lord’s Supper. The name by which it is most commonly known, Maundy Thursday (from the Latin Dies Mandati, “Day of the Commandment”), has particular reference to the Savior’s injunctions of humility and love among the brotherhood of believers (John 13:34). An ancient custom connected to this day was the practice of carrying gifts to the poor in hand baskets which were called “maunds.”
The day on which Christ was crucified had, as its earliest name “Parasceve,” which means “preparation.” Other names were “Day of the Lord’s Passion” and “Day of the Cross.” The designation Good Friday is a peculiarly English expression. It reflects the joy of completed redemption and protests against the superstitious notions that all Fridays are “unlucky” as well as the idea that this particular Friday should be observed in funeral gloom and despair. Nevertheless, it is a day of deep mourning. Worship services on this day obviously emphasize the death of Christ as our sin substitute. Some Christian congregations commemorate the three hours Christ spent on the cross with a “Tre Ora” (Three Hours) service which lasts from noon to three in the afternoon. This was a service practiced primarily by churches in the Western Church (Europe). Another traditional style of worship service on this day is known by the Latin name for “darkness.” This “Tennebrae” service is usually observed after sunset, and is developed around the reading of and commentary on the seven statements (words) of Christ while on the cross. As the service progresses, at the conclusion of each of the seven commentary/readings the lights of the worship area are progressively dimmed until everything is completely darkened once Christ’s death is announced. A “Resurrection Candle” is then lit and brought to the altar while a brief statement reminding the congregation that Christ has promised He will not remain in the grave, but will rise after three days is read. The congregation then pauses for silent prayer and exits the worship area and church building in silence, meditating on all that God accomplished for us on that first Good Friday. The service of Tennebrae was generally practiced in the early Eastern Churches (from Greece eastward). Incidentally, fasting is often practiced during the time between the close of the Maundy Thursday evening worship service and the end of the Good Friday service. It is a fine custom whereby we are able to share (be it ever so lightly) in a portion of our Savior’s physical sufferings for us, and thus better appreciate His tremendous sacrifice for our benefit.
Finally, Holy Saturday focuses on our Lord’s rest in the tomb and His descent into hell, the two stages mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed as “dead and buried; He descended into hell.” The descent into hell is typically misunderstood by most Christians. It does not indicate that Christ continued to suffer for a time for our sins while in the captivity of hell. Some of His final words on Good Friday, “it is finished,” tell us that with His death Christ’s suffering for sin was complete. Rather than suffer in hell, Christ descended to proclaim and demonstrate His total victory over sin, death, and Satan by going unhindered into the “headquarters” of the Devil. Scripture supports the understanding of Christ’s victorious descent into hell in I Peter 3:18-20 and Colossians 2:15. As with Good Friday, Holy Saturday is observed with a solemn spirit, yet it also contains an element of anticipation in preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection on the next morn.
Silent Prayer For Worship Preparation
A Review of “Christian Questions” in Preparation for Receiving the Lord’s Supper (first 3 pages)
A Review of “The Sacrament of the Altar” from the Small Catechism (last two pages of tonight”s worship flyer)
Pre-Service Music
We Ask Our Lord To Bless This Service
Opening Hymn Hymn 136
“T’was on that Dark, that Doleful Night”
1 ‘Twas on that dark, that doleful night
When pow’rs of earth and hell arose
Against the Son, our God’s delight,
And friends betrayed him to his foes.
2 Before the mournful scene began,
He took the bread and blessed and broke.
What love through all his actions ran!
What wondrous words of grace he spoke!
3 “This is my body, slain for sin;
Receive and eat the living food.”
Then took the cup and blessed the wine:
“‘Tis the new cov’nant in my blood.”
4 “Do this,” he said, “till time shall end,
In mem’ry of your dying friend;
Meet at my table and record
The love of your departed Lord.”
5 Jesus, your feast we celebrate;
We show your death; we sing your name
Till you return and we shall eat
The marriage supper of the Lamb.
following which the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this evening, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Opening Prayer
Pastor Lord Jesus Christ, our heavenly Father provided us with a Passover Lamb to save us from eternal death when He sent You into our world and sacrificed You on the cross for our sins. Work true repentance in our hearts, causing us to make sincere confession of our sins and to believe with joyful trust that He has forgiven us for Your sake. May Your body and blood, given and shed for our sins and imparted to us here this evening, in, with, and under the bread and wine that we will also be receiving, cheer our hearts, and strengthen our will to live godly lives to the glory of Your holy name. We ask this in Your holy name, for You live and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have prepared
A feast for our salvation.
It is Your body and Your blood;
And at Your invitation
As weary souls, with sin oppressed,
We come to You for needed rest,
For comfort, and for pardon.
Hymn 312, v 1
We Join in Confession of Our Sins
Pastor Heavenly Father, our lives are before You as an open book. You have created us. You graciously preserve us each day. You have adopted us as Your children, and permit us to call You “Our Father” because of the merits of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Still, we confess that we have repeatedly sinned against You in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.
Congregation Lord, have mercy upon us!
Pastor Lord Jesus Christ, it was our sin and guilt that directly resulted in Your innocent suffering and death. You lovingly and willingly humbled Yourself and became obedient unto death on the cross for our sakes, so that we might be forgiven and made heirs of everlasting life in heaven through faith in You. Yet, we must confess to You that we daily sin against You in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.
Congregation Lord, have mercy upon us!
Pastor Divine Holy Spirit, You have called us through Holy Baptism, You feed us spiritually through the Word and the Lord’s Supper, and You have set us apart to be Your holy temple. But in spite of these many mercies, we confess to You that we repeatedly sin against You in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.
Congregation Lord, have mercy upon us!
Pastor O Triune God, the One and Only God, the true and ever-living God of grace and comfort, we confess to You that consciously and unconsciously, we continue to sin against You in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. Yet we pray to You:
Congregation (Sung)
Lord, have mercy upon us!
Lord, have mercy upon us!
Lord, have mercy upon us!
The Absolution
Find comfort for your souls, then, in these words of our Lord: “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will purify us from all unrighteousness, because we have One Who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning Sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” And now, upon this, your voluntary confession, I, because of my office as a called servant of God’s Word, announce the grace of God to all of you. And, in the place of, and according to the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of God be with you. Amen.
We Receive Instruction from God’s Word
The Psalm For Maundy Thursday Psalm 116
P: I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
C: Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
P: The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
C: Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!”
P: The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
C: The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, He saved me.
P: Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
C: For You, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
P: I believed; therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” And in my dismay I said, “All men are liars.”
C: How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?
P: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
C: I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
P: I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the name of the Lord.
C: I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the house of the Lord—in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
after which the Congregation may be seated
The First Scripture Lesson for Maundy Thursday John 13:1-17
Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the end.
2 By the time the supper took place, the Devil had already put the idea into the heart of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
3 Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God. 4 He got up from the supper and laid aside His outer garment. He took a towel and tied it around His waist. 5 Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus answered him, “You do not understand what I am doing now, but later you will understand.”
8 Peter told him, “You will never, ever, wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9 “Lord, not just my feet,” Simon Peter replied, “but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus told him, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet, but his body is completely clean. And you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 Indeed, He knew who was going to betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garment, He reclined at the table again. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. 13 “You call Me Teacher and Lord. You are right, because I am. 14 Now if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 Yes, I have given you an example so that you also would do just as I have done for you. 16 Amen, Amen, I tell you: A servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
This Evening’s Vocal Solo “In This Holy, Blest Communion”
sung by Monte Ewald
In this holy, blest communion plain and precious gifts combine:
Bread is truly Jesus’ body, blood of Jesus joins with wine.
What a blessing Christ is giving; what a loving, gracious host,
In His supper well providing what His people need the most.
In this holy, blest communion Christ and sinners join as one –
They, the Father’s ransomed children, He, the Father’s rightful Son.
Here the lofty feeds the lowly, Each His highly cherished guest;
Here the guilty taste forgiveness, here the weary find their rest.
In this holy, blest communion Saints are gathered side by side,
Joined together, brothers sisters, In one body unified,
Faith in Jesus, hope of heaven, Love for others all increased
By the fullness of the banquet, By the richness of the feast.
The Second Scripture Lesson for Maundy Thursday Mark 14:12-26
12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, His disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and there a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house that the Teacher says, ‘Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
16 His disciples left and went into the city and found things just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
17 When it was evening, He arrived with the Twelve.
18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Amen I tell you: One of you will betray Me, one who is eating with Me.”
19 They began to be sorrowful and said to Him one by one, “Surely not I?”
20 He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping bread with Me in the dish. 21 Indeed, the Son of Man is going to go just as it has been written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread. When He had blessed it, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “Take it. This is My body.”
23 Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them. They all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is My blood of the new testament, which is poured out for many. 25 Amen I tell you: I will certainly not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 After they sang a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
We Meditate Upon God’s Word
The Sermon Hymn “I Stand Here Before You”
sung to the melody of “How Firm A Foundation”
I stand here before You, O mightiest One
In need of forgiveness for wrongs I have done.
Oh, grant me Your pardon, my spirit now pleads
Forgive my transgressions in thoughts, words, and deeds.
The Tempter keeps taunting me day after day,
I often succumb and submit to his way.
From birth I’ve been evil — my mortal flesh weak,
I do not abide by the words that You speak.
I humbly confess with the deepest of shame
The times I abused Your magnificent Name.
In spite of Your right to demand faithfulness,
My life’s often guided by my selfishness.
I covet, I slander, I look with lust, too.
I fail to give honor where honor is due.
I steal and I gossip…..so far do I fall –
Your perfect commandments: I’ve broken them all.
Right here at Your table forgiveness is found
In Christ’s holy blood that flowed down to the ground,
His body and blood in the bread and the wine
A marvel of love that is truly divine! Amen.
The Sermon Text I Corinthians 11:23-29
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way, after the meal, He also took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new testament in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the Lord’s body and blood. 28 Instead, let a person examine himself and after doing so, let him eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For if anyone eats and drinks in an unworthy way because he does not recognize the Lord’s body, he eats and drinks judgment on himself.
The Lord’s Supper: Jesus’ Last Will and Testament to us
I. In It Jesus Spells Out What He Accomplished
Through His Life, Death and Resurrection
II. And Through It,
Jesus Bequeaths The Greatest Blessings For Us To Enjoy
We Bring Our Offerings
and Prayers Before our Lord
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship.
However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash) to the church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) You can also donate on our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
The Offering
as the offerings are being brought forward, the Congregation will rise for
The Prayers for This Evening
The Final Prayer of Preparation for the Lord’s Supper
Pastor Lord Jesus Christ, You left us a Holy Supper in memory of Your suffering. Help us now to receive Your body and blood with thanksgiving, that this heavenly food may strengthen us to lead a godly life now and hereafter. We come to You with believing hearts, for You live and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Congregation
Grant that we worthily receive
Your Supper, Lord, our Savior,
And, truly grieving o’er our sins,
May prove by our behavior
That we are thankful for Your grace
And day by day may run our race,
In holiness increasing.
Hymn 312, v 7
The Sacrament of the Altar
Consecration of the Elements – Pastor
The Distribution of the Elements
TO OUR GUESTS: We ask that only “Confirmed, Communicant” members of this congregation, or of one of our
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod congregations come forward to receive the Lord’s Supper at this time.
To us the Lord’s Supper is both an expression of our common faith in Christ (which we share with all our fellow worshipers this evening), and also a public expression of our complete doctrinal agreement as a congregation (as I Corinthians 1:10 and 10:17 requires of us).
Accordingly, we are not, in any way, judging your Christian faith by respectfully asking you not to join us in the Lord’s Supper this evening. Rather, we pray that our Scripture-based practice of “Close Communion” will encourage all those Christians who are not presently in full fellowship with us to seriously examine the teachings and practices of their church in order to determine if those teachings and practices are really in full agreement with God’s Word. It is our earnest desire that you might become familiar with the doctrines of our congregation, so that you might one day join with us at the Lord’s altar in this public expression of full unity of doctrine and practice. Until then, please know that we are most grateful for your participation as a fellow Christian in this worship service, and that we appreciate your patience and understanding of our Communion practice.
Distribution Hymn Hymn 135
“The Death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord”
verses 1-3, 4-6, 7-9
1 The death of Jesus Christ, our Lord,
We celebrate with one accord;
It is our comfort in distress,
Our heart’s sweet joy and happiness.
2 He blotted out with his own blood
The judgment that against us stood;
He full atonement for us made,
And all our debt he fully paid.
3 That this forever true shall be
He gives a solemn guarantee;
In this his holy supper here
We taste his love, so sweet, so near.
4 His word proclaims and we believe
That in this supper we receive
His very body, as he said,
His very blood for sinners shed.
5 A precious food is this indeed —
It never fails us in our need —
A heav’nly manna for our soul
Until we safely reach our goal.
6 Oh, blest is each believing guest
Who in this promise finds his rest,
For Jesus will in love abide
With those who do in him confide.
7 The guest that comes with true intent
To turn to God and to repent,
To live for Christ, to die to sin,
Will thus a holy life begin.
8 They who his word do not believe
This food unworthily receive,
Salvation here will never find —
May we this warning keep in mind!
9 Help us sincerely to believe
That we may worthily receive
Your supper and in you find rest.
Amen! They who believe are blest.
Distribution Interlude
Following the distribution of the elements,
the Congregation will rise for the closing prayer
We Leave With the Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Prayer
Pastor We give You thanks, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this saving gift. We pray that through Your mercy You would strengthen us in our faith in You and in sincere love for one another. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation Amen.
For Your consoling Supper, Lord,
Be praised throughout all ages!
Preserve it, for in every place
The world against it rages.
Grant that this Sacrament may be
A blessed comfort unto me
When living and when dying. Amen.
Hymn 312, v 8
The Benediction
Pastor Receive now, with believing hearts, the benediction of your Lord.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord look upon you with favor, and grant you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 316 “O Jesus, Blessed Lord, To Thee”
1 O Jesus, blessed Lord, to thee
My heartfelt thanks forever be,
Who hast so lovingly bestowed
On me thy body and thy blood.
2 Break forth, my soul, for joy and say:
What wealth is come to me this day!
My Savior dwells within my heart –
How blest am I! How good thou art!
Silent Prayer, Announcements
Post-service Music
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Announcements
Good Friday Worship Service Reminder In addition to this evening’s special service, we have the opportunity to be part of another special worship service tomorrow night, Good Friday, at 7 p.m. Our service will involve the progressive “darkening” of the chapel (hence the Latin name “Tennebrae” for darkness) as we meditate on the seven statements (Words) that Jesus spoke while on the cross.
Please Bring Your Easter Lilies to Church on Easter Sunday….. – We’d like to adorn the front of our church with Easter lilies on Easter Sunday. Please help us do that by bringing a lily (or lilies) to church. PS…..Don’t forget to write your name (perhaps on masking tape) on the bottom of your lily (or lilies) so that you can retrieve yours at the end of the day.
Easter Brunch Food Items Sign-Up Sheet On the table in the entryway is a sign-up sheet for the various food items for our traditional post-service Easter Brunch. Please consider bringing a food item or items to share. Regardless, we hope that you will be able to join us for Easter worship and for this special fellowship meal…..without a doubt, it’s our best of the year! And….as you think about persons you might invite to join you in church, celebrating our Savior’s resurrection during the morning worship service, please also ask them to join us for our Easter Brunch afterward.
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt Easter Sunday – The children of our congregation (and their friends) are invited to an Egg hunt at the close of our post-worship Easter Brunch.
Easter Outreach Encouragement: “Each one Brings One”…. With Easter just a few days away, please pray about those persons that you can personally invite to join you when we celebrate Christ’s resurrection with us here at Grace Lutheran Church. Imagine what it would be like if everyone in our congregation brought one person to worship here that day! With prayer….with every one of us purposefully inviting (and, if needed, transporting) someone…..and with God’s blessing, this can happen. Many non-churched people – if they’re inclined to go to church at all — will go to church on Easter. In fact, 15% of non-churched people say that they would come to church, if only someone would invite them. So let’s invite them! If we each ask enough people, those guests will come. So offer your Easter invitations to your friends, relatives, acquaintances…..even to folks you don’t know at all. God bless our efforts to His glory!
The Sacrament of the Altar
from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism
As the head of the family should teach them in the simplest way to those in his household.
The Institution of Holy Communion
First: What is the sacrament of Holy Communion?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Where is this written?
The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and the Apostle Paul tell us: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
The Blessings of Holy Communion
Second: What blessings do we receive through this eating and drinking?
That is shown us by these words, “Given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Through these words we receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation in this sacrament. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
The Power of Holy Communion
Third: How can eating and drinking do such great things?
It is certainly not the eating and drinking that does such things, but the words, “Given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These words are the main thing in this sacrament, along with the eating and drinking. And whoever believes these words has what they plainly say, the forgiveness of sins.
The Reception of Holy Communion
Fourth: Who, then, is properly prepared to receive this sacrament?
Fasting and other outward preparations may serve a good purpose, but he is properly prepared who believes these words, “Given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” But whoever does not believe these words or doubts them is not prepared, because the words “for you” require nothing but hearts that believe.