A Personal Observation
As a child, I viewed Christmas as the most important Christian celebration of the year. I knew all about the 'Babe of Bethlehem' and the 'Three Wise Men'. Easter was barely a footnote, mostly associated with the 'Easter Bunny', 'Easter Eggs', and lots of candy. Even when as I grew into an adult, Easter was still a minor holiday compared with Christmas. I would make it to church, if I could, for Easter, but I almost never missed Christmas.
I thank the Lord that, as he has given me the opportunity in my later adulthood to learn more about Christianity, I have come to understand that Easter is the cornerstone of our faith, and that Christmas is almost the footnote, if you will! Of what importance is the birth of Jesus, if not for his death on the cross and his resurrection by the Father?
I make it a point, now, to do my best to attend all of the services of Holy Week, so as to get the full experience of renewal and rebirth in my faith.
Roger Kenner - Webmaster
The Easter Cycle actually begins with Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent. Then comes Palm Sunday, when we celebrate Christ's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, to begin the last key days of his personal ministry on Earth.
The word 'maundy' comes from 'mandate', and refers to the new commandment that Jesus mandated as he celebrated his Last Supper with the disciples: "A new commandments I give unto you: To love one another as I have loved you"
Where Charity and Love Prevail
There God is ever found
Brought here together by Christ's love
In love we thus are bound
We read the story of the original Passover from the Book of Exodus (12:1-14).
We read Paul's early account of the Lord's Supper from his First Letter to the Corinthians
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes...
We read in John's Gospel the account of Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet. (13:1-17).
We celebrated Holy Communion
As we sang the hymn, Of the Glorious Body Telling, the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood were taken from the church, symbolizing Jesus' going to the garden for prayer and his subsequent arrest.
As we read Psalm 22 (which Jesus would quote from the Cross), the altar of the church was completely stripped, leaving only the bare table. The stripping of the altar is a powerful symbol of Christ's humiliation before his death on the Cross.
All left the darkened church in silence, for the service was not really over. It would be resumed the next morning.
As we return to the church in silence the next morning, it is to commemorate and bear witness to Christ's trial and crucifixion.
There was no organ prelude. After the deacon's opening prayer, we sang the hymn: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
We read in Isaiah (52:13-53:12) how the massiah will be scorned and mistreated by the people, though be bears away their sins and iniquity.
We read from the Letter to the Hebrews (4:14-16;5:7-9)
...Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
We read in John's Gospel (18:1-19:27) the full account of Jesus trial and death on the cross.
We closed the The Lord's Prayer and the hymn: Peace, Perfect Peace
Jesus was dead and his body would be laid in the tomb.
The Easter Vigil service is hosted each year by St. John's Lutheran Church in downtown Montreal and brings together Lutheran's from all over the city: St. John's Lutheran; Christ, the Redeemer; St. Paul's Lutheran; St. Ansgar's Lutheran; Good Shepherd Lutheran; and the Student Group of St. John's.
We gathered on the front steps of the church to strike a new fire, to keep vigil, and to celebrate new life in Christ. Following the celebration was a wine & cheese gathering, with dessert and coffee and Christian fellowship.
St. John's writes:
The early Christians considered the liturgy of the Easter Vigil to be their central celebration. On this night all time converged: God triumphed, still reigns victorious, and on this night God will come and gather the people into his presence. The journey begins and reaches completion: Good Friday and Easter met.
Christians gathered, took fire, made light in the darkness, read the story of salvation, baptised, and filled with joy, celebrated Easter Holy Communion.
Every year on this night there was renewal and conversion. The community passed over from the way of death to the way of life.On the Saturday night of Easter, we make passage from the despair of Good Friday to the hope of Easter. The service begins in darkness and, similar to the act of creation, a fire is kindled, flames leap up and the dark night gives birth to a new light. The Easter (or Paschal) candle (which stands throughout the year by the baptismal font) is newly lighted and it leads us, in the name of Christ, up into the dark church, which is still laid bare from Good Friday.
At this point, excerpts from the Bible, which show God's preoccupation with our salvation are read.
After this, each of us renews his or her baptism.
After affirming our Baptism, the Easter celebration begins: The organ and trumpet play, all the lights go on, and everyone joins in decorating the church for Easter.
In the midst of this joyous atmosphere, the first Holy Communion of Easter is celebrated to give thanks to God: Christ is risen! Darkness transforms into light. Hope lives on!
(Taken from St. John's Easter Vigil flyer)
[Click Here] for a more detailed account of the Easter Vigil Service.
Our fellow workers in Christ at St. Monica's Catholic Church in N.D.G. celebrated an Easter Sunrise Service at 7:00 in the morning.
Meanwhile, back at St. Ansgar's, the community gathered for our traditional Easter morning pancake breakfast at 9:00 am.
Our Easter morning service began at 11:00 am.
[Click Here] for a more detailed account of the Easter Sunday Service.