THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . .

• Holy Thursday—Exod 12:1–14; 1 Cor 11:23–32; John 13:1–15
• Good Friday—Isaiah 52:13–53:12; Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:7–9; John 18:1–19:42
• Vigil of Easter—Gen 1:1–2:3; 7:1–5, 11–18; 8:6–18; 9:8–13; Exod 14:10–15:1
• Easter Sunrise—Isaiah 25:6–9; 1 Cor 15:1–11; John 20:1–18
• Easter Day—Job 19:23–27; 1 Cor 5:6–8; Mark 16:1–8

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . “Behold, your King is coming to you . . . humble and mounted on a donkey”(Zech 9:9–12; Matt 21:1–9). Our Lord rides in this humble fashion because He is entering Jerusalem to humble Himself even to the point of death on a cross (Phil 2:5–11). His kingly crown will not be made of gold but of thorns, the sign of sin’s curse. For His royal reign is displayed in bearing this curse for His people, saving us from our enemies by sacrificing His own life. The sinless One takes the place of the sinner so that the sinner can be freed and bear the name “Barabbas,” “son of the Father” (Matt 26 and 27). It is at the name of this exalted Savior, Jesus, that we bow in humble faith. With the centurion who declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matt 27:54), we are also given to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:11).

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . Matthew 21:3 “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” Did Jesus really need the donkey? If the man had refused to give the donkey, would the work of salvation have been derailed? Of course not. But what an honor for the man who owned this donkey and foal! Likewise with us—the Lord needs none of us, but what an honor for God to choose to use our generosity in the work of His Church.

PASTOR’S OFFICE HOURS & CONTACT INFO . . . Pastor Braaten will be in his office Monday–Thursday, 9:00 am –12:00 pm, unless stated otherwise. You may contact him for other appointments and visits by phone (O) 217.253.4341, (H) 217.253.4539, or (M) 217.460.2077, or by e-mail pastor.braaten@gmail.com.

EASTER LILY ORDER FORMS . . . are due today. Lilies are $13.00 each. Extra forms can be found on the table in the Narthex.

EASTER BREAKFAST . . . The Board of Christian Education will be hosting the Easter Breakfast this year. Breakfast is served on Easter Morning from 7:00 am –8:30 am, between the Easter Sunrise Divine Service and the Easter Day Divine Service. Sign-up sheets for food, drinks, and kitchen volunteers are provided in the Narthex. Immanuel’s Youth Group will be assisting in serving and clean-up. A donation box will be available with proceeds going to the Youth Group.

EASTER EGG HUNT . . . will be Easter Sunday, March 31, at 10:15 am. Thank you to the Board of Education for providing the goodies for Immanuel’s annual egg hunt!

OPPORTUNITY TO HELP . . . Can you toss a bag of pretzels, cookies, or candy in your cart the next time you’re at the store? It would mean so much! Around 85 college-aged students are attending a one-day conference at the University of Illinois’ LCMS campus church, and they are in need of some snacks for their evening activities. There will be a box in the narthex for you to place your donations. Please have them to church by Sunday, March 31. Thank you!

COMMUNITY EASTER CANTATA . . . “Come Walk With Me” by Pepper Choplin will be performed at 4:00 pm on Palm Sunday at First Christian in Villa Grove. The choir includes community members of all ages from Newman, Philo, Tuscola, and Villa Grove. The director is Dr. Janet McCumber, who teaches music history at Eastern.  Judy Zylstra is the rehearsal pianist.  They are excellent!  There will be a small orchestra accompanying. The music covers the procession into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the Passion and Resurrection.

SHARE YOUR STORY . . . Many of us have a daily practice of spending time with God. This can look different for each of us. Whether simple or more complex, short or long, morning or evening, the tools we use or don’t use, the one thing we have in common is that we can share our practice with the children of our church so they can learn from us and create their own daily practice. Sign up today to share your story. The sign-up sheet is located on the wall outside of the double classroom. See you soon!

MARTIN & KATIE CONFERENCE . . . Join us for the 2024 Martin + Katie Conference at University Lutheran Church in Champaign, IL on Saturday, April 6, 2024. At this free conference, learn about being men and women in Christ, meet new friends, get to know each other, and have fun. The conference is open to ages 18–35. Married or single are welcome. Registration is required, as capacity is limited. Info and registration are available at http://martinpluskatie.org. Plus: Extra bonus activities planned for Friday night, April 5, and Saturday night, April 6! All are invited to stay for Sunday Bible Class, Divine Service, and lunch on Sunday, April 7.

THE CELEBRATION OF THE TRIDUUM . . . the holy three days of Christ’s Passover begins on HOLY (MAUNDY) THURSDAY on the eve of our Lord’s Crucifixion. The service on Holy Thursday culminates the Lenten period of preparation for Christ’s Passion and Resurrection and leads into his sacrifice on our behalf. On this day we remember Christ’s sacrificial service demonstrated in his washing of the disciples’ feet, a servanthood enacted on the cross, whose benefits are bestowed in his means of grace. The service culminates with the Lord’s ministry to his people through the Sacrament of the Altar. The depth of Christ’s servanthood is also demonstrated as the altar is reverently stripped in preparation for the church’s observance of Jesus’ death on Good Friday. GOOD FRIDAY . . . is not observed as a funeral for Christ. It is a day for repentance over sin and restrained joy and praise for the redemption Christ accomplished for us on the cross. In keeping with its character, music is kept to a minimum, though not silenced, and elaborate words of praise are omitted. Because this service is part of the Triduum, the three holy days, it has neither an entrance rite nor benediction. The concluding hymn ensures that the final note of the service is one of triumph, for God’s faithful know the end of the story. THE VIGIL OF EASTER . . . which is celebrated at the end of Holy Saturday as the conclusion to the sacred Triduum, ushers in the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. To hold vigil means to “keep watch.” In some places in the early centuries of the church’s life, a vigil in expectation of Christ’s return at Easter became a common feature of the celebration of his Crucifixion and Resurrection. It was also a common time for individuals to be baptized. Because the Vigil of Easter marks the final day in the sacred Triduum, the service ends with the Benediction (which has not been heard since the Triduum was begun) and the Easter acclamation: Christ is Risen!