Easter Season Events

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, derives its name from the ancient practice of marking the foreheads of worshipers with ashes from the unused palm branches of the previous year.

Lent

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb 17th this year, is the 40-day period preceding Easter.  Lent is a season of repentance. But for many of us, “repentance” sounds so remorseful.  In reality, it isn’t remorseful at all.

The root word for “repentance” is the Greek word metanoia, from which our word “metamorphosis” comes. The great image of this is the butterfly emerging from its cocoon; the caterpillar being transformed into new life.

No one is remorseful about that! Nor should we be with repentance, which involves leaving the past and emerging into new life.

Palm Sunday, March 28

Tradition plays an important part in church history. During Jesus’ time, Rome was the world’s leading power. Whenever the Romans were victorious in battle, citizens traditionally threw palm branches in the returning heroes’ path. This was the accepted custom of reception. So when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, it was appropriate that he receive a hero’s welcome.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem on that day we call Palm Sunday, the people cheered him shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9, NRSV). It was a cry of adoration and acclamation.

Our Palm Sunday 10am worship will start with the Children's Chimes playing the music for the Palm Parade.

Ecumenical Maundy Thursday Service on April 1st at 7pm
Prince of Life Lutheran Church, 13896 S. Meyers Road, OC

- The word “Maundy” is a shortened version of the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment.  At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his friends a new commandment. He told the disciples, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34, NRSV).

Good Friday, April 10
Prayer Vigil - 9am - 7pm in the Heritage Room
Good Friday Service, 7pm

 - In Jesus’ day, the Roman army ruling Israel carried out capital punishment by using a wooden cross. Criminals, troublemakers and others who threatened society were crucified in public places for everyone to see. False charges were levied against Jesus. Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, accused him of blasphemy against God and of being a threat to Roman rule. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, had Jesus nailed to a cross on a Friday. Ironically, that day came to be called Good Friday. God reached down into our Lord’s grave and restored him to life. The cross that had been a symbol of horror became a symbol of joy.
 

Easter Party, Sat, April 3 from 1 - 2:30pm.

There's a rumor going around that the Easter bunny will be hiding eggs at the church and it's our job to hunt for them!  This family day includes making an Easter "basket", hunting for eggs, dyeing Easter eggs (wear clothes that can get yucky), decorating & eating sugar cookies and making a craft.  Let's hope for sunshine so the Easter bunny can hide eggs outdoors, but if it rains we'll let him hide them inside.

Easter Sunday, April 4 -- "Simply Unstoppable!"

Easter Breakfast, served from 7:30-9:30am.  Start your Easter morning with a great breakfast and wonderful fellowship.  (A freewill donation will be accepted to cover costs.)

Then join us at our 10am service.  The death of Jesus was meant to "stop" - absolutely, finally - any insurrection or rebellion.  It was meant to stop change or revolt, not just individuals.  On Easter, we find, in the empty tomb, that God is unstoppable.  We find, with the women, that we expect to be stopped by obstacles.  We discover that when the show up, the obstacle that is immovable, is already gone.