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2010 Easter Schedule
Lenten Services
Ash Wednesday and continuing every Wednesday evening until Holy Week, the congregation gathers at 7pm for informal worship in the sanctuary. This year the theme is “24 Hours that Changed the World”, as we use the video presentations on that theme from United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton. Preceding the service at 6pm there is a soup and sandwich supper for congregational fellowship.
Palm Sunday
Lititz Moravian Congregation begins Holy Week with Palm Sunday morning services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A special feature of the service is the antiphonal singing of the “Hosanna Hymn” by Moravian composer Christian Gregor. This hymn proclaims, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” celebrating the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem just five days before he was crucified.
The Senior choir will sing “Lift up your heads” by George Frederic Handel (from Messiah) and “Bethany, O Peaceful Habitation” by Soerensen. In recent years the Trombone Choir has provided prelude chorales before the services and accompanied the congregation in the singing of hymns. Palm branches folded into crosses are also distributed to the worshipers.
Scripture and Hymns Services
Holy Week services are held each evening at 7pm, except Saturday which is at 4pm. These services use the “Readings for Holy Week”, a unique book that combines the scriptural account of the last week of Jesus’ life with hymn verse responses. The first Holy Week Manual was compiled by scholars of the Moravian Church and put into use in 1769. By arranging in one chronological text accounts of the sufferings, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, taken from all four Gospels, the Readings for Holy Week invite the congregation into the dramatic sweep of events which is central to our faith. Parishioners who attend every service through the week find themselves immersed in this “greatest story ever told” in a way that is only possible when the full account is read in all its detail. The responses of the traditional hymns verses give worshipers a way of prayerfully participating in the vivid retelling of these events.
The Palm Sunday Evening service begins the week’s walk with Jesus as the story of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem is retold. Enhancing worship are special anthems and a small orchestra.
Services continue at 7pm each evening, until the Thursday evening service, which includes Holy Communion. This service is also presented at 4:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday afternoon for those unable to attend in the evening. The Moravian Church practices Open Communion. Anyone who declares Jesus to be Lord is welcome at the table.
Good Friday
The Lititz Moravian Congregation observes Good Friday with two worship services. The final Scripture and Hymns Service is held at 2:15 p.m. The congregation pauses in prayer at 3:00 p.m. while the church bell is tolled 33 times, marking the number of years that Jesus lived on earth.
At 7pm on Good Friday “The Moravian Youth Company,” a performing troupe of youth of the congregation, leads with a traditional Tenebrae service. “Tenebrae” is a service of shadows in contrast to the light of Christmas as worshippers progressively experience the darkness of Jesus’ death. Through sacred dance, contemporary Christian music, and dramatic readings this service of light and shadow depicts the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
Great Sabbath
The Great Sabbath Lovefeast at 4pm on Saturday afternoon marks the time of mourning that the first disciples experienced between the sorrow of Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday morning. The lovefeast, a simple shared fellowship meal of a sweet bun and beverage, served as the congregation sings, on this day is like a gathering of family and friends who find comfort in sharing a common grief with the loss of a loved one. Frequently this service includes the baptism of one of the newest members of the congregation. As the liturgy suggests, “we are baptized into His death,” for it is there alone where we can live.
The Senior Choir and a small instrumental ensemble usually presents two anthems by 18th-century Moravian composers during the Lovefeast: “In Slumber, Peaceful Slumber” by Christian Gregor and “O Speak to Me of Jesus’ Sorrow” by Johann Gottfried Gebhard. They also sing “I’ll Praise the Lord with Singing” by Johann Christian Bechler, who served as Lititz Congregational pastor in the early 19th century, and “World, Farewell” from the St. Matthew Passion by J. S. Bach. In keeping with the theme of quiet mourning, there is no postlude, allowing the congregation to depart from the sanctuary in prayerful silence.
Easter Sunday
Following the centuries-old tradition, the Trombone Choir gathers in the early morning hours of Easter Sunday for breakfast and prayer, then divides into three groups and travels throughout the community, rousing worshipers with Easter carols. The Easter Sunrise Service follows at 6:15 a.m. in the sanctuary, and, weather permitting, concludes with a procession to God’s Acre, the Church’s cemetery, for the final hymns and prayers as we gather with the Church Triumphant at their final resting place. The Senior Choir greets the glad news that “the Lord is risen” with “Hallelujah, Amen!” from Judas Maccabeus by G. F. Handel.
Following the dawn service, a light breakfast is served in the Social Hall, hosted by High School youth and their families. At 8:00 a.m. a service of Holy Communion is held in the chapel in the Brothers' House.
The Easter Worship celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. The Senior Choir and Orchestra will present anthems “Glory be to Him” by Wolf and “Worthy is the Lamb” by Handel (from Messiah) as well as “The Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah by G. F. Handel.
The Lititz Moravian Church is located at 8 Church Square, along the 200 block of East Main Street. Off-street parking is available in the lot behind the church and at the Pierson playground off South Cedar Street. The sanctuary and adjoining facilities are handicap-accessible.
For Information: 717-626-8515
<LititzMoravian.org>
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Lititz Moravian Congregation | 8 Church
Square | Lititz, PA 17543 | 717 626-8515 |
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