A listing of scripture texts to encourage daily Bible reading in a congregation.

Presider: Dear friends in Christ, we have begun our solemn vigil. Let us now listen attentively to the Word of God, recalling how our God saved Israel throughout history and, in the fullness of time, sent the only Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer. Through this Easter celebration, may God bring to completion the saving work already begun in us by the divine mercy. Let us attend to the Word of God.

On this Friday, which is “good” because Jesus died so that we might live, begin worship in silence, and ponder the mystery and the wonder of God's grace as displayed on a cross.

We are doing "Where's Noah?" for our Lenten services this year. "Where's Noah?" is a lenten program of services and activities by Arley K. Fadness and published by CSS Publishing Company, Inc. One of the activities suggested in the book were to make animal tokens and have Noah give them out each Wednesday evening.

There is a rhythm to life. There are school calendars to follow. There is a start-up date for school, various vacation days off, and a closing day in May. And there are lots of things packed into the school year. In our church year, there is a rhythm and a progression. There is some logic and reason for what we do as far as the seasons of the church season.

What was done: The first year this was done, members of Emmanuel, High Point and the associate pastor planned and led the Easter Vigil for Holy Saturday evening concluding with Holy Communion at the Easter Sunrise service. The second year, pastors and congregations from the High Point area were invited to join together and planned an ecumenical Vigil worship. Traditions represented were: Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Reformed and Baptist; lay and ordained people were worship leaders, including youth and adults.

Celebrating Christ the King in the Seasons of the Church Year.

NARRATOR: The mood of the people in the city of Jerusalem was one of celebration and excitement. It was the week of the Feast of the Passover, a Holy day that reminded all of Israel of the time when God saved them from slavery in Egypt. They continued to hope that God would act again and send to them the Messiah, the one from God who would save them from the oppression of the Romans who now ruled their land.

Narrator: It was two days before the celebration of the Feast of the Passover in the city of Jerusalem. Jesus had been in the city with his disciples for some time. He openly spoke about the fact that he would have to suffer and die to save people from their sins. He also challenged the religious authorities by condemning their self-righteous attitudes. So the Chief Priest and religious leaders met to form a plan.

NARRATOR: It was a time of celebration in the city of Jerusalem. Thousands of pilgrims from across the world were gathering for the annual Feast of the Passover. This great feast remembered how God saved the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It was a time to remember how God's promise to be with his people always was alive and well.