Every Lenten Wednesday at 7p (March 1st-March 29th), we gather for a dinner church style worship where we have a soup meal together where we share in the faith of various individuals throughout Scripture (Noah, Moses, Jesus, etc) but also in our faith story and how the Spirit is leading us. For our friends who are unable to join in person for these gatherings, we offer a Lenten Reflection on the text via our Youtube Channel.
Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday- April 2nd 9:00 AM With a joyful noise, we gather at the entrance of Jerusalem waiving our palms. We shout “Hosanna” (save now!) as our cry for a broken world. “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” (Luke 19:38) This service serves as a wonderful opportunity to begin our journey with Jesus to the cross.
Maundy Thursday- April 6th 7:00 PM On this sacred night, we remember the final night which Jesus gathered with the original twelve disciples sharing with them the commandments of Love and Grace through meal and the washing of feet. This is a night which we give thanks for the gift of communion as we are mere hours away from his death on the cross. The altar is stripped as we remember Jesus being stripped of his freedom as we hear the words of Psalm 22 preparing us for Good Friday.
Good Friday- April 7th 7:00PM (a Tenebrae Service-Progressive Darkness) Communion will not be celebrated We gather at the foot of the cross to hear the words of Jesus’s agonizing death for us and for our salvation. In this service of remembrance we ponder his trial, his torture, his carrying the cross, his crucifixion and burial through the use of Scripture and hymns. We also hear the final words of Jesus by candlelight and leave in darkness and silence this night.
Easter Sunday- April 9th 9:00AM It has finally arrived!! If you ever wonder if there was a day in which the world was changed, the first Easter was that day. We gather to celebrate Christ being Raised from the Dead!!! Death, sin, fear, cruelty, injustice, and evil no longer have the final say in our lives because the final words belong to Jesus. Christ is risen and we celebrate that freedom! Worshippers are invited to bring a bell (any shapes or sizes are welcomed) which are to be muffled until announced. The church will be decorated to celebrate this momentous occasion and will “ring” in moment through the use of bells as we sing the return of “Alleluias.” *We will also have a special breakfast at 8:00am to ring in the day!* Our Easter Sunday Service will take place at 9:00AM with coffee and pastries following worship. Why not bring a friend to join in on the festivities. Come and celebrate the highest of all days of celebration!
Worship: Online Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Online worship service can also be found on our YouTube channel or Facebook Page
Weekly Bible Study: Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. (Marzoni's- Greenwood-1830 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd) Adult Education, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. With exceptions on Holidays. *Please, contact office before arrival, if you need to speak to the pastor, as Pastor may be away due to visits or meetings.*
We are located at: 200 Third Avenue Altoona, PA 16602 814-944-7560 814-946-9778 (fax) bethanyaltoona@gmail.com
We are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) & the Allegheny Synod
