Experience Holy Week 2014 at the Chapel of the Resurrection. All are welcome to attend all services, held at the Chapel of the Resurrection.
Palm/Passion Sunday, April 13 – 10 a.m. Service of Holy Communion with procession of palms, dramatic reading of the Gospel. Music by Men and Women’s Choirs, Handbell Choir; University Pastor Charlene M. Rachuy Cox preaching and presiding
Maundy Thursday, April 17
6 p.m. A pre-service talk on Understanding the Triduum – the Three Days, by Chapel Staff. Refreshments will be served. Core 5th Hour approved.
Maundy Thursday worship at 7 p.m. with Holy Communion, individual forgiveness, footwashing. Music by Kantorei; Rev. Dr. Frederick Niedner preaching, University Pastor James A. Wetzstein presiding
At the Chapel, our liturgy on Maundy Thursday ushers us into the Great Three Days or “Triduum” at the center and heart of the Christian year and the Christian faith. Our service on this night is made of three distinct liturgies. In the Service of Reconciliation, we complete the Lenten journey begun on Ash Wednesday when ashes were pressed upon us with the words “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” The second liturgy of this night is the Service of the Word and Sacrament, in which we participate with Jesus’ disciples in that Last Passover he shared with them. In doing so we discover anew the roots of our Holy Communion in “that night in which he was betrayed.” During this time, you may join in the practice of footwashing, led by members of the Lutheran Deaconess Association. It is an opportunity to be reminded of our Lord’s invitation to love and serve one another as he continues to serve us in his love. The third and final liturgy of our service, the Stripping of the Altar, brings us to Good Friday, as the altar and chancel are stripped of all ornament. After a brief prayer, the one remaining light of the Paschal Candle is carried out of the chapel. No candles will burn in the chapel until the new flame is kindled at the beginning of the Great Vigil on the Eve of Easter.
Good Friday, April 18
12 noon ~ Good Friday Worship. Music by Kantorei; University Pastor James A. Wetzstein preaching and presiding 1 p.m. Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) Good Friday procession organized by the Gloria Dei Hispanic Lutheran Mission in Valparaiso, beginning at Heritage Lutheran Church and ending at the Chapel of the Resurrection.
Easter Vigil, April 19, 8 p.m. – Service of Readings, Holy Communion, Baptisms & Affirmation of Baptism. Music by Kantorei; University Pastor James A. Wetzstein presiding
Easter Vigil at the Chapel is one of the lesser-known services in Holy Week, but one full of meaning and new beginnings. Held on the evening before Easter, the service has four distinct liturgies. In the Service of Light, a new flame is kindled and spreads through the congregation, symbolic of the new light of the risen Christ. The Service of Readings is filled with stories of deliverance. This is a traditional evening for welcoming new members into the community through baptism and affirmation of baptism. Finally, we join in the jubilant first Holy Communion of the resurrection.
Easter Sunday, April 20, 10 a.m. – Festival worship service of Holy Communion. Special music by the Kantorei and Handbell choirs and the Chamber Concert Band (pre-service music begins at 9:45 a.m.), University Pastor Charlene M. Rachuy Cox preaching; Rev. Brian Johnson, Executive Director of Campus Ministries, presiding.
St. Paul writes “If Christ is not raised, then … your faith has been in vain.” The whole Christian faith turns on the reality of the resurrection we celebrate today. This is why it is that throughout the whole church, not just here at the Chapel of the Resurrection, this day is the day of greatest celebration.
