This week stands at the center of our common life as Christians. These days of entering into the drama of the cross are a way to allow God's word to reawaken us to the power and significance of the Passion story. All services will be live streamed on our YouTube channel here except for the Easter Vigil which only has an in-person option at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

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Palm Sunday March 28 at 10 am

Today we follow Christ from triumphal entry to the cross, each waypoint of the journey marked by Jesus’ compassion for those who would betray, mock, accuse, or do violence to him. Though persecuted and beaten, Jesus the Son of God is not disgraced; instead, he asks forgiveness for those who put him to death. We have walked the Lenten pathway these forty days, each of us invited through baptism to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” We enter this holy week accompanying Jesus to the cross with both grief and thanksgiving in our hearts, trusting in God’s redeeming love.

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Maundy Thursday April 14 at 7 pm

Confession and Absolution will be the center of the service with our Gospel reading focusing on the new commandment by Jesus that we should love one another as he loved us. On this night Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and gave his disciples a new command, “that you love one another, even as I have loved you.” Following Jesus, we will offer foot washing for those who wish to participate. And on this “night in which he was betrayed” when Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples, we also will “do this for the remembrance of him.” The service will end with the reading of a penitential psalm, Psalm 51, as the altar is stripped in preparation for Good Friday and Easter.

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Good Friday April 15 at 7 pm

Service of Tennebrae

TENNEBRAE is a Latin word meaning "shadows" or "darkness". The dramatic feature of this service is the gradual extinguishing of all the lights except to Christ candle. This candle is removed at the end of the service, symbolizing the apparent victory of the powers of darkness when our Lord dies on the cross. A loud noise is made, suggesting the earthquake of the Passion narrative.  Restoring the Christ candle to its place foreshadows the Resurrection.

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Easter Vigil April 16 at 7 pm at Good Shepherd

The Easter Vigil is a wonderful bridge from the solemn reflection of Good Friday to the jubilant celebration of Easter morning.  We gather to light the new fire near the Columbarium, the place of burial, then we follow the procession of light into the darkened sanctuary, to hear stories of God’s salvation history.  We are renewed in baptismal waters and hear the great Easter Proclamation, that Jesus Christ has overcome the powers of death.  Finally, we share the feast of victory around the Lord’s Table.  This is the night! (In-person only at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1530 Foulk Road, Wilmington, DE 19810, no online option)

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Easter Sunday April 17 at 9:30 am

Please note that beginning Easter Sunday and each week thereafter our worship will begin at 9:30 am!

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death,” Paul writes. Today Christ is risen, and we gather together with astonishment and joy. Christ is risen, and we have been set free from the bonds of death. Christ is risen, and we are forgiven. Christ is risen, and with the women at the tomb and Peter, we are amazed. Let us rejoice: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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