Shalom Anglican Podcast

In this message we introduce Eastertide and dig into Revelation 1. It’s there that Jesus has 3 things to say to the new resurrection community.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

What do you do with the empty tomb? Come on a journey with us to the empty tomb and explore the various responses we see there. Happy Easter everyone!

The Great Vigil, when observed, is the first liturgy of Easter Day. It is celebrated at a convenient time between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter morning. It is appropriate that the service begin in darkness. The liturgy normally consists of four parts:

The Service of Light: a new fire is kindled, and from it the Paschal Candle is lit, symbolizing Christ, the light of the world. The Exsultet, an ancient song of praise, is sung or said as the climax of this part of the liturgy.

The Service of Lessons: key passages from Scripture recount the history of God’s mighty acts and promises. These readings are accompanied by psalms, canticles, and prayers.

Holy Baptism is the Sacrament through which candidates are united to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (ROMANS 6:3-4), which the Church celebrates on this most holy night. When the Bishop is present, Confirmation may also be administered. If there are no candidates for Baptism or Confirmation, the Congregation joins in a Renewal of Baptismal Vows.

The Holy Eucharist is the proper culmination of the Easter Liturgy. As we keep this holy feast, we share the joy of our Savior’s triumph and are strengthened by his grace to walk in newness of life.

The Good Friday liturgy is the second part of the Triduum (the sacred three days). This most somber of all days is appropriately marked by fasting, abstinence, and penitence, leading us to focus on Jesus and the meaning of his Cross. Some churches do not use musical instruments or bells on this day. The church is often darkened. The bare, stark appearance of the church serves as a reminder of the solemnity and the sorrow of the day. The Lord of Life was rejected, mocked, scourged, and then put to death on the Cross. The faithful are reminded of the role which their own sin played in this suffering and agony, as Christ took all sin upon himself, in obedience to his Father’s will. By the Cross we are redeemed, set free from bondage to sin and death. The Cross is a sign of God’s never-ending love for us. It is a sign of life, in the midst of death. -The Book of Common Prayer

The Paschal mystery—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—is at the heart of the Christian Gospel. The evening of Maundy Thursday begins the Triduum (the sacred three days). This service, together with Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and The Great Vigil of Easter, form a single liturgy; thus, the final blessing and dismissal is reserved for the conclusion of the Great Vigil.

Maundy Thursday receives its name from the mandatum (commandment) given by our Lord: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (JOHN 13:34). At the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and commanded them to love and serve one another as he had done. This day commemorates the Lord’s example of servant ministry, the institution of the Eucharist, the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal leading to the crucifixion.

How do we think about the two crowds during the last week of Jesus' life? The first crowd praised him as King with palms on what we now know as "Palm Sunday." The second crowed cried, "crucify, crucify him," and condemned him to being nailed to a cross. Listen to this sermon from Father Rob to help prepare your heart as we enter into Holy Week.