HOLY WEEK SERVICES. Dates & Times. EARLY EASTER Saturday, March 31 4:00 p.m. Community Easter Egg Hunt 5:00 p.m. Easter Festival Worship

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2 PALM SUNDAY Sunday, March 25 8:15 & 10:15 a.m. HOLY WEEK SERVICES Dates & Times MAUNDY THURSDAY Thursday, March 29 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. GOOD FRIDAY Friday, March 30 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. EARLY EASTER Saturday, March 31 4:00 p.m. Community Easter Egg Hunt 5:00 p.m. Easter Festival Worship EASTER SUNDAY Sunday, April 1 6:15 a.m. Sunrise Service 7:45, 9:15, 10:45 a.m. Easter Worship BACH S EASTER ORATORIO Sunday, April 8 (During the 10:15 a.m. Worship Service) PAGE 2

3 THE CROSS CHANGES LIVES Holy Week Devotions 2018 Our journey during Holy Week moves us from singing Hosanna, to pondering the commandment to love one another, to the agony of the cross, to the uncertainty of Holy Saturday, to the astonishment of the empty tomb. In the midst of this journey is the promise of God to transform fear to joy, hate to love and death to life. As followers of Jesus, we know that this promise of life from death, does indeed change everything for us, our lives and the world. This devotion is designed to accompany you and your household on your Holy Week pilgrimage. Each day you and your gathered household will share the ups and downs of your daily life, read a Bible passage and reflect on it with one another, pray together and offer each other a blessing. These simple practices center our lives on the transformation that only God s love can bring. PAGE 3

4 Palm Sunday Jesus Arriveal Where did you see God today? Make a note to offer prayers for each other s highs, lows and God moments. Mark 11: 1-11 Reflection: Jesus came into Jerusalem heralded as one might a king. But Jesus arrives on a colt, which symbolizes peace. Jesus as king is not about violence and conquering nations, but Jesus reign ushers in wholeness, unity, justice and love. This is a radical departure from rulers in the ancient world and in our own time. What does Jesus presence in your life mean for you? How does following Jesus change how you live (make decisions, spend your time/money, etc.)? Pray for each other s highs/lows/god moments. Pray thanksgiving for Jesus presence in your life and in the world. Pray to reveal Jesus to people in your life. +May Jesus enter your heart+ PAGE 4

5 Holy Monday Generosity Where do you see God s generosity today? John 12: 1-8 Reflection: Mary s act of extravagant generosity sparked a tense exchange between Jesus and Judas. This perfume more than likely had cost Mary all she had, and she poured it out at Jesus feet. She emptied her money purse and her life at the feet of her Lord and Savior. Mary didn t count the financial cost, instead she trusted that money and material items were not the focus of the kingdom of God and God s promises. Judas trusted only in what he could see, hold and count. When was a time when someone showed you extreme generosity? How did that affect you? When was a time when you were able to be extremely generous? How did that affect you? Pray for each other s high/lows. Pray to express God s generosity in your words and actions. Pray to be open to receiving God s generosity in your life. +Live in God s abundant generosity+ PAGE 5

6 Holy Tuesday God s Glory Share where you saw God s glory today. John 12: Reflection: There are many interactions in this passage but at the crux of it are all the expressions of God s glory in creation. Losing your life to live, grain dying to bear fruit, voice from heaven, light in the darkness, Jesus lifted up on a cross. Not the usual worldly expressions of glory are they! God s glory isn t celebrity, ego or flashy signs. God s glory is always focused on us, on our wholeness, for our sake and so that we may see the light, the truth of God s love for the whole world, even the parts of the world that aren t so lovable. God s glory is found in what the world would label inglorious, profane, and banal. Where have you experienced God s glory in your life? How did that look? Who around you needs to have the glory of God pointed out amidst their challenges and hardships of life? Pray for each other s highs/lows and for the glory of God to break into the world. +May your life reveal the glory of God+ PAGE 6

7 Holy Wednesday Separation Share a time when you felt separated from your family, close friends or God. How did you reconnect? John 13: Reflection: This passage marks separations. The disciples beginning to separate from themselves (Judas) as well as from Jesus. In their confusion of Jesus statement about betrayal, they show their separation from Jesus journey. Satan is mentioned here as a reason for the separation. Evil is a true presence and force in our lives wanting to separate us from the light and love of God, where we worry only about ourselves. God s light and love promises to always overcome this separation (Romans 8:37-38) but yet, like Judas, we tend to be swayed in the direction of separation from God. We get tempted by comfort, ease and ego. What does connection with God look/feel like for you in your life? Is it constant or does it come and go? What faith practices help you connect to God and your faith community? Pray for each other s highs/lows and for all people to connect or reconnect with God. Pray for those who feel separated from God. +God is with you always+ PAGE 7

8 Maundy Thursday Love Share where you experienced God s love today. John 13: 1-17; 31b-35 Reflection: Maundy is derived from the Latin word Maundatum which means commandment. Jesus commands his disciples to love one another as he has shown his love for them (and will continue to reveal on the cross). The heart of any relationship that is grounded in God is service. We are called to serve others, to not be leaders, but servants of all. This is counter intuitive in our culture today and yet we see examples of how this posture of service and humility is needed. When we don t see ourselves as better or more important than people around us, is when we can see people through God s eyes of love and we don t see an us/them dichotomy. When was a time when someone served you? When was a time that you were able to serve someone else when they needed it? How does that kind of love change your heart and actions? Pray for each other s highs/lows and give thanks for the love of God today. Pray for all people to know this love of God and for us to learn to serve as Jesus served. +Love one another as Jesus loves us+ PAGE 8

9 Good Friday Death Spend a moment in silence reflecting on all affected by death today. John 18:1-19:42 Reflection: This is a long passage of Jesus arrest, trial, crucifixion and death. Stop at each section break, set a timer for 60 seconds (or whatever time you would like) and reflect on Jesus words and actions. What words resonate with you? Why? Write them down or journal on them later. At the end of the Bible reading for today, simply spend time in silent prayer and meditation on the death of Jesus. If this is an unfamiliar practice for you, simply sit in silence and notice what thoughts float through your consciousness. Don t worry if mundane daily routine items come to bear, this is all part of the process. Give yourself at least five minutes. When you are done, simply say amen, let it be so. +Live in God s abundant generosity+ PAGE 9

10 Holy Saturday Waiting Share of a time when you had to wait on God. Psalm 31: 1-4, Reflection: Waiting is hard, even if we re waiting for something joyful and exciting. But the disciples were waiting on this Holy Saturday and they didn t even know for what or for how long. But the writer of Psalm 31 assures us that in our sorrow, in our laments and in our uncertainty, God is there as our refuge and with steadfast love. Has there been a time in your life when you ve experienced this kind of uncertain waiting? How did you trust/lean on God in that time? How did you experience God s presence? Through community? Worship? Prayer? Pray for each other s highs/lows and for trust in God s steadfast love in our lives. Pray for all people who are waiting in their lives to know this truth of God s work in their lives. +God s face shines upon you+ PAGE 10

11 Easter Sunday The Empty Tomb C h a n g e s L i v e s What does the empty tomb mean to you? John 20: 1-18 Reflection: The tomb is empty! Jesus is risen! Hallelujah! These are more than just joyful words in worship, they are words of how we are to live our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. We look for life, we look for hope, we look for transformation.actually no we EXPECT life, hope and transformation in the promises of God! This is good news not only for us, but for all people in all times and places! As Mary Magdalene was charged by Jesus to tell the disciples about his resurrection, so we too are charged to share this wondrous news that changes everything! Who will you share this news with today? Tomorrow? This week? Who first shared this good news with you? Send them a note of gratitude for passing on their faith to you! Pray for each other s highs/lows and pray for all to hear the good news of Jesus Christ in their lives. Pray for all to live in life, hope and joy! +Jesus changes everything+ PAGE 11

12 ELCA WORLD HUNGER S 40 Days of Giving You are encouraged to consider a special gift to the ELCA World Hunger appeal this Lent. The Global Mission Ministry Team has established a challenge gift of $5000 for matching funds to encourage all Bethany households to participate. We believe that we can support the ELCA world hunger effort with a gift of $15,000. Help Bethany meet this pledge by visiting elca.org/40days and donating today! Bethany Lutheran Church 4500 E Hampden Ave Cherry Hills Village, CO