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EASTER 2011 |
 | March 9th -- Ash Wednesday |
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EASTER 2011 |
| March 9th -- Ash Wednesday |
In the Western Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays). It falls on a different date each year, because it is dependent on the date of Easter; it can occur as early as February 4 or as late as March 10.
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. The ashes used are gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned. In the liturgical practice of some churches, the ashes are mixed with the Oil of the Catechumens[1] (one of the sacred oils used to anoint those about to be baptized), though some churches use ordinary oil. This paste is used by the clergyman who presides at the service to make the sign of the cross, first upon his own forehead and then on each of those present who kneel before him at the altar rail. As he does so, he recites the words: "Remember (O man) that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
SOURCE: Wikipedia.
There will be three opportunities to mark the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. There will be a service at 7:00 a.m., another at noon and a third at 7:00 p.m. The service takes about 30 minutes depending on how many show up. We will precede our worship service at 7:00 p.m. with a fish fry at 5:00 p.m.
April 17 through April 24 - Holy Week
Set aside time each day during Holy Week for personal worship. Feel free to use and/or adapt the following suggestions.
Palm Sunday (3/28): Read Matthew 21:1-11 |
 | April 17th -- |
On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as "Passion Sunday," marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday.
The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him with waving palm branches, and by covering his path with palm branches. To commemorate this event, our children will bring palm branches into the sanctuary at the beginning of the services. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey to the cross.
The biblical account of Palm Sunday can be found in Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19.
SOURCE: About.com.
 | April 21st -- |
Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday” is the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday (the Thursday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday.
First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and thereby instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion (Luke 22:19-20). Some Christian churches observe a special Communion service on Maundy Thursday in memory of Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. Second, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17). Some Christian churches observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus’ washing the feet of the disciples.
The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in Maundy Thursday refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another. Should we observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It is a good thing to remember the Lord’s example of humility. However, at the same time, we should avoid ritualistic observances of holidays unless they are truly focused on God and our relationship with Him.
Join us for this special Service of Communion.
SOURCE: Gotquestions.org.
 | April 22nd -- |
Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.
The biblical account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection, or raising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.
SOURCE: About.com.
April 24th -- Easter Sunday
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The empty tomb was discovered at sunrise on Sunday morning, so Christians start celebrating the resurrection with worship at sunrise. This service will be held at 6:00 am. at Miller Springs Park (by the dam) Come join us for this early morning service. Bring your lawn chairs and flashlights. |
 | Easter Egg Hunt at 9:30 a.m. during the Sunday School Hour |
All children will meet in their regular Sunday School classrooms and will be escorted to the playground for the annual Easter egg hunt. in the event we have rain, the. children will hunt eggs in the FLC. Bring an empty Easter Basket! We need to have something to hide so we are asking our church family to provide individually wrapped candy and plastic Easter eggs. Please drop them off in front of Lisa’s office or you may bring them by the church office.
The egg is widely used as a symbol of the start of new life, just as new life emerges from an egg when the chick hatches out. The egg is seen as symbolic of the grave and life renewed or resurrected by breaking out of it. The red supposedly symbolizes the blood of Christ redeeming the world and human redemption through the blood shed in the sacrifice of the crucifixion. The egg itself is a symbol of resurrection: while being dormant it contains a new life sealed within it.
SOURCE: Wikipedia.org.
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At 8:30 and 10:45 a.m., we have two Easter services in the sanctuary. Come and hear the message of the risen Lord. We will have our large cross set up on the porch of the front entry of the church on Easter Sunday. Each year we ask our congregation to bring a flower from their garden/yard and place it on the cross as you enter the church. If you can, bring an extra flower or two for someone who does not have a flower to place on the cross. This is always a beautiful display for our Easter Service. |
To learn more about the origins of our Easter customs and celebrations, click here
The colors for Easter are white or gold. To learn more about the colors used during the year in the church click here.