Maundy Thursday- March 28th 6:00 PM @ St James Lutheran “Lord make our sad divisions soon to cease; draw us all closer, each to each, we plead, by drawing all to you, O Prince of peace.” (ELW 463) 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. This service will be celebrated in the Dinner Church Style which we have been using throughout our Midweek Lenten Services. 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- March 29th 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.
The Vigil of Easter-The 1st Service of Easter March 30th 5:30PM @ St Luke’s Episcopal (806 13th St) This is the night, the night to be immersed in who we are as God’s people. This night overflows with biblical images of a world redeemed in Jesus Christ. We come not to get all the answers, but to be filled to the brim with stories that both refresh and perplex us. At first it could appear that the Vigil is a simple movement from dark to light, from death to life. We await the magic moment when the lights come on and, yes, it is Easter St Luke’s Episcopal Church, has invited us to join them for a community wide Easter Vigil Service with Bishop Scanlan (Episcopal Bishop of Diocese of Central Pennsylvania) Bishop Schmitt (Lutheran Bishop of Allegheny Synod) leading the service. During this service, we gather in darkness as we left Good Friday and hear the stories of hope throughout the Old Testament. We will then travel through the various stories of hope where we will rejoice in the light of a new day as we “ring” in the first “Alleluias!” of Easter. If you have never participated in the Vigil of Easter, you do not want to miss out on one of the most ancient services within the Church.
THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD (EASTER SUNDAY) March 31st 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 following worship!* 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: In Person & Online Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Online worship service can also be found on our YouTube channel
Free Meal Giveaway & Clothing Bank 4th Saturday of every month Upcoming Dates: February 24, March 23rd
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, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 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