The week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is recognized as “Holy Week” in Christian tradition. On Palm Sunday Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and went to the Temple to drive out the money changers, according to tradition he celebrated the Passover on Thursday, was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane the same night, and was tried and crucified on Friday. On Sunday he rose again.
On Palm Sunday we will be joining other churches in “Sing For Joy,” a celebration of music and praise at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais at 4 p.m.
Zoar continues to host community soup suppers from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. All community members are welcome to come and get a free steaming hot bowl of homemade soup and enjoy good company and the music of Dave Gustafson, a local carpenter, singer, and musician. Dave is a frequent praise and worship leader on Sunday mornings.
New this year at Zoar Church is a meal commemorating the ancient Hebrew Passover on “Maundy” Thursday. Pastor Daren Blanck will be leading participants through a Messianic Haggadah, similar to the Seder service used in Jewish homes at Passover. Foods commemorating God freeing his people from bondage in Egypt are served, songs are sung, and scripture is read not only from the Hebrew scriptures, but, as Christians understand Jesus to be the passover lamb, from the New Testament as well. This Seder meal will begin at 6 p.m. at Zoar Church.
Our Good Friday Vespers will begin at 6:30 p.m. While Good Friday is often a somber reflection upon Christ’s suffering and death, we call it good because we understand that God was able to work great good from such great tragedy, just as God works good amidst our suffering and loss. We understand the cross to be the symbol of Christianity because it was on the cross that all that makes us broken was borne away. This year Pastor Daren will lead a service of vespers in the style of Gregorian Chant along with familiar hymns closing with the stripping of the altar in silence.
Celebrate Easter with us on Easter Sunday at 9:30 a.m. as we proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. Pastor Daren’s message is “Empty Tomb = Full Grace.”
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