We will gather in the entrance lobby for the Blessing of the Palms and then process together into the sanctuary for the solemn service of Passion Sunday. On this day, we stand at the threshold of Holy Week, journeying with Christ from the joy of his entry into Jerusalem to his suffering a death on the cross. 

Our worship will include a dramatic reading of the Passion according to Matthew, drawing us into the unfolding story of suffering and love, followed by the celebration of Holy Communion. As we enter this sacred week, we are invited not only to remember, but to walk more deeply in the way of Christ.

*  About the image: John August Swanson’s painting Entry into the City presents a detailed contrast of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The bright sky of the background matches the hope of the people, while also acknowledging a direction of hope on the horizon. However, Swanson’s placement of the soldiers with their spears throughout the scene foreshadows the events of Holy Week. Shadows on the edges of the image and foreboding clouds juxtapose the celebratory entry with the violence and victory to come.

March 29 - Passion Sunday 10AM with Palm Sunday liturgy followed by procession into the sanctuary. This solemn service will feature a dramatic reading of Matthew's Passion account follwed by celebration of Holy Communion.  This service will be livestreamed. 

April 1 - Maundy Thursday: Soup Supper at 6:00PM followed by Service of Holy Communion around the altar. 

April 2 - Good Friday: Stations of the Cross at 3:00PM. We will gather in the sanctuary and particpate in prayerful procession to the stations of the cross set up around the sanctuary and church Hall. Each station we feature traditional prayers together with contemporary stories illustrating how the suffering of Christ continues to be embodied in our world. 

April 4: The Resurrection of Our Lord - 10AM festive service. 

Our church - the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada - is celebrating its 40th Birthday this year. To help celebrate our bishops are inviting us to a Day of Action on May 31.  The idea is for congregations across all of our Synods to  step out beyond our church walls and engage in acts of service in our communities.  They've created a nifty video to tell us all about it. You can watch it here. You can also Sign up for more information and to connect with other congregations and learn about what they are doing. 

ELCIC National Bishop Larry Kochendorfer shares a statement to the church following several incidents of Synagogues being attacked in Canada and the United States including several involving gun violence. 

“Attacks on sacred spaces and social gathering places are a threat to individuals and a wound to the communities who desire to come together in the name of faith, friendship and mutual support,” said the Bishop in the statement. 

“In this moment when fear and division threaten the fabric of our communities, the church is called to be a witness to God’s justice, mercy and peace,” he continued, as he invited the church to join in prayer. Read the full statement here.

Every March 31, Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary and gender diverse (2STNBGD) communities and their allies mark International Transgender Day of Visibility - a moment to celebrate and recognize trans lives.  To help us do this, here are two stories of transgender Christians who have journeyed to embrace both their gender identity and their faith. Here is JamieAnn Meyer's story and here is Bobbi Prato's story. 

As we approach the Trans Day of Visibility this week, we celebrate the presence of trans, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit people in our churches, communities and throughout the world. We give thanks for the many who have served the church as lay and ordained ministers for generations. We are grateful for their witness to our shared vocation to grow into the full stature of Christ in all of our diversity, and we pray for their flourishing as beloved children of God. 

Merciful God, Hear our prayer. 

a poem inspired by Mary of Bethany when she anointed Jesus with spikenard

If only there were a neutral zone,
A space between your will and mine,
Where I could give and you receive,
Or you refuse and I not grieve
And we could both get up and leave
And no one think I’d crossed a line.

If only there were a neutral gift
That made no claim of worth or cost,
That no one would contrast, compare
Or look upon with hostile stare,
That would not leave my heart so bare
Or speak of what will soon be lost. 

If only there were a neutral time
When to act or not are both the same,
When history books will never judge
And neither you nor I nor they will grudge
The response I make to this holy nudge
That softly speaks my name. 

But a neutral day, there will never be.
And a neutral hour, I will never see. 
So I give this flower, that it may be
A memorial, between you and me.

                              ~ by Christine 

You can read the poet's commentary on her poem here.