2008 Easter Celebration, Maundy Thurs, Seder meal - Ministry Videos

Bethany Lutheran Church: The celebration of Easter 2008<br />

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A look at Easter 2008 and the events leading up to Easter at Bethany Lutheran Church Ishpeming, Michigan<br />
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Officiating are Rev. Warren Geier, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church and Vicar Luke Smetters, the BLC Pastoral Intern.<br />
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Northern Michigan news reporter Greg Peterson has the story.<br />
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Easter - and the special days and weeks of Lent before Easter - are an important at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming, Michigan.<br />
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During Lent - Wednesday night services nclude a drama put on by youth and adult members of the church.<br />
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The service is preceded with a soup dinner.<br />
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Holy Week and the three days of Easter - Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter - comprise the central worship experience of the church year. <br />
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A Seder/Passover meal is held on Maundy Thursday<br />
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The meal is shared with the families of young people who will receive their first Communion that night.<br />
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The Maundy Thursday service includes the symbolic washing of feet like Jesus did for his disciples.<br />
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Maundy Thursday concludes the stripping of the altar.<br />
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A Tenebrae Service is held on Good Friday - during which the &quot;Passion according to St. John is read.<br />
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During the service, the church becomes increasingly dark.<br />
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And finally - the service ends with a single candle burning in a dark church.<br />
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Sa#%ay night - the nighty before Easter - includes the lighting of a new fire outside the church.<br />
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The outdoor services include the lighting of a new pastoral candle that leads a