Holy Thursday: April 2, 2026
7:00 p.m. — Divine Service

The Holy Thursday (sometimes called "MaundyThursday") Divine Service begins the Triduum, the three Holy Days which comprise our Lord's passion, death, and resurrection. At the Holy Thursday service, we hear our Lord's"new command" to love one another. Remembering our Lord's institution of the Holy Eucharist followed by His arrest in Gethsemane, the service concludes with the stripping of the altar as the choir sings Psalm 22 ("My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?").

Good Friday: April 3, 2026
7:00 p.m. — Divine Service

The evening Divine Service is based on the Good Friday rite that developed in Jerusalem. The church appears stark, with the adornments having been removed on Holy Thursday. The pastor is vested simply, with the beginning focus on the reading of St. John's passion. After the sermon, the haunting reproaches are sung by a Pastor and Choir, with the congregation singing the beloved "Lamb of God, Pure and Holy." After the bidding prayer and the unveiling of the cross, the congregation's mournful lamentations are turned to triumphant joy as the sixth-century hymn to the cross, "Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle," is sung to the stirring modern tune by Lutheran composer Carl Schalk. The Lord's Supper liturgy follows an old and very simple form. We receive the Gifts of our Lord knowing that "as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we show forth the Lord's death until He comes."

Holy Saturday: April 4, 2026
7:00 p.m. — The Great Vigil of Easter

The Great Vigil begins outside (weather permitting) for the lighting of the New Fire. After the Paschal Candle is blessed, worshipers process with candles into the darkened church for the Great Thanksgiving. After a series of readings detailing the prophecies of the Messiah, the song of the three young men rescued from the fiery furnace is sung. The Mystery of Baptism is central to the meaning of the Great Vigil. Then the Litany of the Resurrection is prayed, followed by the reading of St. John's account of the Resurrection of Jesus. "Christ is Risen!" exclaims the pastor, and the congregation responds, "He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"

The Resurrection of Our Lord—Easter Sunday
No Sunday School or Bible Class

7:30 a.m. — Easter Breakfast
9:00 a.m. — Festival Divine Service 

***After the Divine Service — Easter Egg Hunt


The queen of feasts and Sunday of Sundays, the Resurrection Divine Service fills the church with exuberant joy at our Lord's victory over sin, death, hell, and the devil.