The History and Meaning of Our Holy Week Observances

By Reverend Dr. Richard P. Bucher (originally appeared on Our Redeemer Lutheran Church website)

What is this thing we call Holy Week and the special days within it? What is the history of the annual celebrations that happen in this leading to Easter? In other words, though we know that the events that we remember during Holy Week really happened to Jesus (e.g., the procession into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, His death on the cross, His resurrection), when did Christians begin to annually observe them as we do? And, what is the significance of our observances today? This article attempts to offer a brief introduction.

Holy Week

As we now practice it, Holy Week is the last week of the 40 day season of Lent and the week preceding Easter. In Holy Week we focus on the last week of Christ's life, remembering especially His passion and resurrection. Though calling this week "Holy Week" is more of a recent innovation, the annual observance of the festivals within it are of ancient origin.

Palm/Passion Sunday

Palm Sunday is the commemoration of our Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem five days before His crucifixion. Scripture records this incident in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1- 11, Luke 19:29-44, and John 12:12-19. This day takes its name from the fact that as Jesus approached Jerusalem on a donkey (in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9), the huge crowd that followed carried palm branches as they praised Him. The people hailed Him as the long awaited "Son of David," that is, the Messiah.

Details: Published: 16 April 2019 16 April 2019; Last Updated: 16 April 2019 16 April 2019

The Miracles of Jesus

In preschool we’ve been talking about the miracles of Jesus.

While learning about Jesus feeding the 5,000 we discussed what a generous God we have. The people with Jesus that day were hungry, and he provided enough food to satisfy them, and there were even 12 baskets of leftovers.

The preschoolers talked about wants and needs and how God provides for everything we need (such as food, clothes, etc.) as well as many things we want (toys, TVs, games).

Details: Published: 12 April 2019 12 April 2019; Last Updated: 12 April 2019 12 April 2019

Forgiveness

Jesus said, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Repent…to want to do better; to turn away from; to desire to change. Repent. Let the law of God speak to you, convict you, and confess your sins. Repent. Lent has begun. The ashes have been smeared on our foreheads reminding us we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Lent is a penitential season. A time for reflection on our sin. The very sin Christ took upon himself in His baptism and nailed to the cross for our reconciliation with God. There it is….the fulfillment of the Gospel; forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

It's wonderful to know and believe in the Gospel, for Jesus teaches us that not only is our Father willing to forgive us, but that he has forgiven us all of our sins for the sake of Jesus. After all, Jesus did exactly what God expected of us. In our stead, Jesus suffered God's full judgment and punishment that we deserve because of our arrogant and rebellious breaking of his Law. Because of that, when we pray The Lord's Prayer, we may pray confidently: "Forgive us our trespasses."

Details: Published: 06 April 2019 06 April 2019; Last Updated: 06 April 2019 06 April 2019

What’s an Ebenezer?

This Sunday’s entrance hymn is the much-loved “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Written by Robert Robinson, a Methodist and then a Baptist evangelical preacher around 1760, the hymn first appeared in print in Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Songs in 1813.

The second stanza of the hymn begins with these words: “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’ve come.” I can remember being curious about these words when I first played this hymn as a young boy. “What’s an Ebenezer? Ebenezer Scrooge? No….that can’t be it…” Then I thought, “Our church is on Ebenezer Road…. No, that can’t be it either.”

When you unpack the scripture behind this text, though, it makes a strong statement of faith and relates beautifully to this week’s Gospel lesson, the parable of the prodigal son. I Samuel 7 begins with a warning by Samuel to the people of Israel to return to the Lord, to put away idols and foreign gods, and to serve the Lord only. The Israelites repented. As the fear of an attack from the Philistines approached, they then asked Samuel to pray to the Lord on their behalf. While Samuel was offering a sacrifice and praying, “the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up… and called it Ebenezer (which means “stone of help”), for he said “The Lord has helped us hitherto.”

Details: Published: 01 April 2019 01 April 2019; Last Updated: 02 April 2019 02 April 2019

Midweek Lenten Themes

The Trials Of Jesus

Like a courtroom drama, a series of witnesses comes forward to give testimony about their experiences with the accused—Jesus Christ. Through their accounts we come to know the truth, that Jesus came to take our place in the defendant’s chair.

Ash Wednesday, March 6 - “The Voice of Satan” • Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus faces the tempter in the wilderness.
Week 1, March 10 - “The Voice of Judas” • Mark 14:16, 32-42 - Jesus’ betrayer defends his actions.
Week 2, March 17 - “The Voice of Annas” • John 18:12-24 - A chief priest discusses Jesus’ arrest.
Week 3, March 24 - “The Voice of Caiaphas” • Matthew 26:57-68 - The high priest faces off with the Son of God.
Week 4, March 31- “The Voice of Peter” • Luke 22:54-62 - Jesus’ bold disciple speaks of his weak faith.
Week 5, April 7 - “The Voice of Herod” • Luke 23:1-12 One king of the Jews testifies against another.

Details: Published: 31 March 2019 31 March 2019; Last Updated: 10 April 2019 10 April 2019

Lent Service for March 27

The Lent Service this Wednesday is The Voice of Caiaphas” Matthew 26:57-68 - The high priest faces off with the Son of God. Won't you join us? Service is from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. At the 7:00pm service we will be joined by the University A Cappella Choir.

Details: Published: 26 March 2019 26 March 2019; Last Updated: 26 March 2019 26 March 2019

University A Cappella Choir at Pacific Hills

The University A Cappella Choir will perform at Pacific Hills Lutheran church on March 27, 2019 at 7:00pm.

About the University A Cappella Choir

Concordia University’s A Cappella Choir has been performing concerts and joining congregations in worship for 75 years. The choir was organized in 1938-39 by Dr. Theodore Stelzer, professor of music and psychology. One of the United States' oldest touring Lutheran college choirs, the A Cappella Choir has performed extensively throughout America (including Hawaii), and internationally in Greece, Italy, France, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Spain, Mexico and Australia.

The 72-voice concert choir is chosen by audition each fall. Student membership is comprised of majors from most academic disciplines representing 15 different states and some foreign countries. Over 180 students audition each fall for a position in the internationally renowned concert choir.

Details: Published: 24 March 2019 24 March 2019; Last Updated: 24 March 2019 24 March 2019

Help NE Flood Victims

Looking for a way to help 2019 Nebraska flood victims? Following the weather-related devastation in Nebraska, the Nebraska District office is accepting donations for disaster relief in Nebraska. Go to www.ndlcms.org/disaster-response for more information.

Congregations, schools and individuals may send funds for disaster relief to one of the following organizations as well:

Details: Published: 19 March 2019 19 March 2019; Last Updated: 23 March 2019 23 March 2019

Woods Family March Update

Matthew, Kali, Laurel, and Eleanor will serve in Medan, Indonesia with LCMS International. Matthew supports The Indonesian Christian Lutheran Church, by mentoring pastors, providing continuing education, and overseeing translation projects. Pastor Matthew Wood and his family visited Pacific Hills Lutheran Church last November, lead a presentation on his planned work in Indonesia

Update on the Wood Family Deployment

The Wood family house in Saint Louis is empty and up for sale. They have said their good-byes and made their farewells. After 24 hours of travel they made it to Chiayi, Taiwan. In Chiayi, they are getting to know the regional team and making preparations for their arrival in Medan, Indonesia. You can download their full newsletter for more details! There's some BIG NEWS inside. You don't want to miss it.

Details: Published: 18 March 2019 18 March 2019; Last Updated: 18 March 2019 18 March 2019

What to give up for Lent?

This article written by Pastor David H. Petersen was featured on the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Blog on 02/13/2018.

Giving up some small pleasure for Lent, like chocolate or coffee, can be a nice way to remind ourselves throughout Lent that it is Lent. When we reach out for those things we remember that we are denying ourselves in commemoration of Our Lord’s suffering.

This isn’t meant to please God or gain His favor. Nor can such a small denial make Lent more meaningful or increase faith. It is simply an attempt to keep ourselves mindful throughout the day that it is Lent. That is a valid Christian desire and discipline.

Curbing the flesh is always good. Cutting calories is probably appropriate for almost everyone reading this, and (though I hate to admit it) cutting caffeine would probably hurt few of us either.

But Lent isn’t ultimately about giving things up. Its purpose is not self-improvement in the conventional sense. Instead Lent is a season of preparation. We are preparing to celebrate Easter and the Church is always prepared in the same way: by repentance.

Details: Published: 05 March 2019 05 March 2019; Last Updated: 05 March 2019 05 March 2019

Naboth’s Vineyard

Drawing by Michelle Steen

ome time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. ² Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.” ³ But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” ⁴ So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. ⁵ His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?” ⁶ He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” ⁷ Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” ⁸ So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. ⁹ In those letters she wrote: “Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. ¹⁰ But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” ¹¹ So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. ¹² They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. ¹³ Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. ¹⁴ Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.” ¹⁵ As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” ¹⁶ When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard.

- 1 Kings 21:1-16

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The Trials Of Jesus

About the University A Cappella Choir

Update on the Wood Family Deployment

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