Members & Friends of Immanuel:
The Lord be with you.
Today, the Church begins the journey through the Three Holy Days of Christ’s Passover from death to life and captivity to freedom.
You are invited to observe Maundy Thursday with us in a Service that begins tonight at 7:00 PM. The Maundy Thursday Service consists of the Liturgy of Reconciliation, the Service of the Word, the Service of the Sacrament and the Stripping of the Altar. The Service ends with the Altar and Chancel adornments being removed, while Psalm 22 is chanted, in preparation for Good Friday.
Tomorrow, the Church continues the journey with a Good Friday Service that begins at 7:00 PM. The Good Friday liturgy of Tenebrae (Darkness) features psalms, hymns, and a reading from the Old Testament’s book of Lamentations. This Service of reflection, intercession and quiet meditation ends in darkness as we watch and pray with Our Lord.
Saturday evening at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (Get Directions) is the first of the Easter celebrations. The Great Vigil of Easter has ancient roots and features candlelight, Old Testament Readings rehearsing God’s great salvation acts, Baptismal remembrance and the first hearing of the Easter Gospel. This is a joint Service offered by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations in Greenville (Good Shepherd), Simpsonville (Immanuel), Spartanburg (Lamb of God) and Anderson (Abiding Savior). The Easter Vigil begins at 8:00 PM.
Easter at Immanuel begins with a Sunrise Service at 7:15 AM. This Service will begin outside the front doors of the church and feature a procession into the Sanctuary. The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated.
Easter Breakfast will be served from 8:45-10:00 AMÂ (there will be no Sunday School or Adult Bible Class).
For the children, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt at 9:45 AM.
The Resurrection of Our Lord will again be celebrated in a Festival Service (with Holy Communion) at 10:30 AM on Sunday.
Watch, pray, and celebrate this holiest time of the year with our Lord and with your Immanuel family. Â A blessed Holy Week to you.
Pastor VanOsdolÂ