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St. Mark's Lutheran Church and School
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Friday Apr 14, 2017
Friday Apr 14, 2017
A Good Friday Service of
Meditation on the Cross of Christ
On Good Friday, the Christian Church remembers the crucifixion of our Lord. Although our remembrance is solemn, it is not a message of gloom, but a time of adoration of Jesus, the Lamb of God, as he offers up his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Good Friday is part of the larger celebration of salvation begun yesterday, Maundy Thursday, and culminating in the Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter Day.
The Service of Meditation on the Cross of Christ is dramatic, but it is not a drama. We do not gather to reenact the crucifixion of Jesus, but to reflect on his sufferings for us which took place on this very day and at this very hour. Our Good Friday service is an austere time of reflection, intercession, adoration of the Lamb, and quiet meditation. We gather to celebrate the sacrifice of the cross. The service presents a series of Scripture readings and liturgical texts on our Lord’s crucifixion and repentance over our sin that caused it. Through Scripture and through the texts and ceremonies developed by our Christian ancestors, Good Friday’s message of our sin and God’s grace is communicated powerfully to both head and heart.
Good Friday is unique among Christian holidays because it is the only day when the main service of congregations has historically been held in the afternoon. Christians gather during the hours of the crucifixion when darkness hung over the earth (Matthew 27:45) and our Savior was forsaken by his Father in heaven.
Good Friday is prepared for by the solemn stripping of the altar at the close of the Maundy Thursday service. The altar is among the most prominent symbols of Christ in the church, and stripping the altar powerfully recalls Christ’s abandonment before his passion. The congregation gathers on Good Friday before the bare altar, which continues to symbolize the stark abandonment of our Lord—not just by his disciples (Matthew 26:56), but also by God the Father (Matthew 27:46).
The congregation gathers and departs in silence. As on Maundy Thursday, there is no concluding blessing in the service. This underscores the connected nature of the services of Holy Week. When the service concludes, please exit the church in silence. Worshippers may remain after the service for private meditation if they desire. May the Lord bless your meditation.
Presiding Minister ........................................................................................................................... Pastor Jason Schmidt
Musical Accompanist.............................................................................................................................. Adrienne Bengel
Soloist .................................................................................................................................................... Isabella Peperkorn
Thursday Apr 13, 2017
Thursday Apr 13, 2017
Tonight’s Worship
Just as Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten time of preparation, so Maundy Thursday marks the end of Lenten preparation and the beginning of the three holy days that conclude Lent, called the Triduum, a Latin term meaning “three days” and customarily referring to the services of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
To underscore the end of the Lenten time of preparation, and to recall Jesus’ discourse with his disciples at the beginning of the original Maundy Thursday Passover celebration (John 13-14), the service begins with an address that reflects much of the content of Jesus’ discourse. The service and sermon progress, emphasizing the events of Maundy Thursday and especially the institution of Holy Communion. The post-communion portion of the service takes us to the Garden of Gethsemane in preparation for Good Friday. The altar, which is one of the most prominent symbols of Christ in the church, is solemnly stripped of its vestments in memory of the abandonment of Jesus in Gethsemane. Psalm 88 is sung as the altar furnishings are removed.
The service ends in silence. The congregation hears no closing blessing. Rather, the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday service naturally flows into the Good Friday service and previews the tone of that service. The congregation disperses silently and reassembles again on Good Friday evening.
Sunday Mar 26, 2017
Sunday Mar 26, 2017
Today we have a special outreach Bible Study led by Mr. Dave Malnes of Praise and
Proclaim Ministries.
Monday Mar 13, 2017
Sunday Feb 12, 2017
Sunday Feb 12, 2017
Organ Recital by Wyatt Smith
If there is any way our church and school can serve your spiritual needs, please contact one of our pastors or our school principal;
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and School
7869 Kingswood Drive
Citrus Heights, California 95610
Phone: (916) 961-7891
Website: www.StMarksLutheran.com
Audio-Video Questions? please email to av-crew@outlook.com
Sunday Dec 18, 2016
Saturday Dec 10, 2016
Wednesday Dec 07, 2016
Wednesday Dec 07, 2016
2016 Midweek Advent Service Series
Presiding Minister: Pastor David Waterstradt Organ/Piano: Adrienne Bengel
Choir Director: Shannon Schmidt
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and School
7869 Kingswood Drive
Citrus Heights, California 95610
Phone: (916) 961-7891
Website: www.StMarksLutheran.com
Audio-Video Questions? please email to av-crew@outlook.com
Wednesday Nov 30, 2016
Wednesday Nov 30, 2016
With Enlightenment to Him Who Does Not Understand
If there is any way our church and school can serve your spiritual needs, please contact one of our pastors or our school principal;
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and School
7869 Kingswood Drive
Citrus Heights, California 95610
Phone: (916) 961-7891
Website: www.StMarksLutheran.com
Audio-Video Questions? please email to av-crew@outlook.com
Wednesday Nov 30, 2016
Wednesday Nov 30, 2016
From Whom All Blessings Flow
A Gathering for Worship and Giving Thanks to God
If there is any way our church and school can serve your spiritual needs, please contact one of our pastors or our school principal;
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and School
7869 Kingswood Drive
Citrus Heights, California 95610
Phone: (916) 961-7891
Website: StMarksLutheran.com
Audio-Video Questions? please email to av-crew@outlook.com