2008 Easter Celebration, Maundy Thurs, Seder meal

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