March 14 — The Fourth Sunday in Lent
8 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. — Holy Communion
9 a.m. — Sunday Church School

The psalm sets the tone this day: “Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!”  Happy are those who have “become the righteousness of God” in the merits of Christ Jesus.  Happy are those for whom the forgiveness of God has “rolled away . . . the disgrace” of former times.  Happy is the father at the return of his prodigal son.  Happy are we that our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake.  Rejoice!

 

March 21 — The Fifth Sunday in Lent
8 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. — Holy Communion
9 a.m. — Sunday Church School

The Lord our God makes all things new.  In the first reading God promises it.  In the gospel Mary anticipates it, anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume in preparation for the day of His burial.  In the second reading we recall the transformation of Saul, the persecutor, into Paul, the apostle.  In baptism, God’s new person (you!) rises daily from the deadly mire of trespasses and sins.

Today the church commemorates Thomas Cranmer, Bishop of Canterbury, who was martyred in 1556.

 

March 28 — Sunday of the Passion
Palm Sunday
8 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. — Holy Communion
9 a.m. — Sunday Church School

The voice of the suffering savior, Jesus, can be heard in the prophet Isaiah’s words and the pleading of the psalm.  We are invited into the agony of our Lord in the extended reading of the story of Jesus’ passion.  In the second reading, we who have put on Christ in holy baptism are urged to let the mind of Christ be our own.  Lent leads us to this holy moment.  Embrace it.

 

March 30 — Tuesday in Holy Week
7 p.m. — Stations of the Cross

As the great Three Days draw near, some communities gather each day of Holy Week for worship.  Paul proclaims Christ crucified as the wisdom and power of God.  Jesus speaks of the grain of wheat that falls into the earth and dies in order that it may bear fruit.  We die with Christ in baptism that we may be raised with Him to new life.  We will celebrate this great mystery of death and resurrection at the Easter Vigil later this week.

 

March 31 — Wednesday in Holy Week
7 p.m. — Healing Service

This day was formerly called “Spy Wednesday,” an allusion to the gospel accounts in which Judas is identified as the betrayer of Jesus.  As Jesus endured the suffering of the cross, we are called to run the race of life with perseverance, confident of the joy to come.  In the Three Days, which begin tomorrow evening, we will journey with Christ from darkness to light, from captivity to freedom, from death to life.

 

Sundays & Seasons,” Augsburg Fortress, © 2009.  Used with permission.