Welcome to the Triduum.

Excuse me… the what? Is that a typo? Did auto-correct miss something?

No, you read it correctly. You may not be sure how to pronounce it (TRID-you-um), but the word comes from Latin and simply means “The Three Days.” These are the most sacred days of the Christian year. The Triduum begins this evening with Holy Thursday, as we remember the Lord’s Last Supper, and continues through Good Friday, culminating in the Easter Vigil before we celebrate the discovery of the open tomb on Easter morning.

There is something about these holy days that draws us closer to the early church. We even find ourselves using its ancient language. Instead of simply saying “The Three Days,” we return to the more reverent and historic term, Triduum.

Today is often called Holy Thursday, but the church has long referred to it as Maundy Thursday. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “command” or “mandate.” It does not refer to mourning, though it may sound that way. Rather, it recalls Jesus’ command at the Last Supper: to love one another. It also points us to his invitation to “take and eat” and “take and drink” in the Holy Meal.

Please join us today for worship and Holy Communion at 12:00 noon or 7:00 PM as we gather at the Lord’s Table.

The second day of the Triduum is Good Friday. Despite its solemn nature, the day carries the name “good” because we know how the story ends. Through the cross comes the promise of resurrection. Historically, some connected the name to “God’s Friday,” though its exact origin remains uncertain. What is certain is its meaning. On this day, we remember Christ’s sacrifice with reverence and gratitude.

We worship on Good Friday at 12:00 noon with the Bidding Prayer and again at 7:00 PM with the Service of Shadows. I encourage you to join us for this deeply meaningful observance.

Then comes the Easter Vigil, which begins Saturday evening and leads us into Easter morning. As early as the second century, Christians were shaping Passover into an annual celebration of Christ’s resurrection. This Christian Pascha became the foundation for our Easter observance, celebrated on Sunday as the day of new life.

We will celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord with our community sunrise service at Venetian Shores Park at 6:00 AM, followed by our festive 9:30 AM worship in the sanctuary. An Easter breakfast will be served in Haegert Hall from 7:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

This is our holy countdown. I hope you will walk each step of the journey with us.

Blessings,

Pastor Marc