11460 60 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB. T6H 1J5 Canada. 780-434-1671
Next Church Service Sunday March 29, 2026@ 10:30am
Holy Communion 3rd Sundays of the month
Holy Communion 3rd Sundays
Church Meeting April 19, 2026
1130 am to 1pm- Right After Church
Lunch Provided
Martin Luther's Morning/Evening Prayer
Make the sign of the Holy Cross and say:
Morning Prayer
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Evening Prayer
In the evening when you go to bed, make the sign of the holy cross and say: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go to sleep at once and in good cheer.
2026 LCC Synod Convention June 12-15, 2026
2026 LCC Synod Convention June 12-15, 2026
2026 LCC Synod Convention - Lutheran Church–Canada
2026 Convention Updates - The Canadian Lutheran
Welcome to the 2026 LCC Synod Convention Info-page
Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s 13th Regular Convention will be held in Winnipeg from June 12-15, 2026, gathering under the theme “Together One: One Lord, One Faith, One Body” (Ephesians 4:4-6). The Convention was last held in the Central Region in 2008 under the theme “Give Jesus Glory – His Calling, Our Praise.”
The start of business related to this synod convention will begin on March 20, 2025, with the first meeting of the Commission on Nominations and Elections (CNE). The CNE manages the nomination process for elected positions at the synodical and regional levels, monitors the vetting process of nominees, and supervises the election of candidates to various positions at conventions of LCC.
News pertaining to LCC’s Synod Convention will be released on an ongoing basis in The Canadian Lutheran and on CanadianLutheran.ca; as well as in LCC’s weekly e-newsletter InfoDigest.
PALM SUNDAY / SUNDAY OF THE PASSION
(29 March 2026)
Isaiah 50:4–9a
Philippians 2:5–11
John 12:12–19 (Procession)
Matthew 26:1—27:66 or Matthew 27:11–66 or John 12:20–43
Now Is the Hour When the Son of Man Is Glorified
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming.” He comes in gentle humility, “sitting on a donkey’s colt,” yet also as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13, 15). His royal glory is faithful obedience and self-sacrificing service “to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). The love of God is manifested in the cross and Passion of His Son for the salvation of sinners. Since He has borne our sins and suffered our death, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9), and He exalts us in His resurrection. Our Lord did not hide His face “from disgrace and spitting” (Is. 50:6), but He trusted His God and Father, who raised Him from death and the grave and exalted Him to His right hand. This same King Jesus now comes to us in gentle humility in His Supper, where He feeds us with His body and cleanses and covers us with His blood, so that “after his resurrection” we also shall rise and enter the holy city (Matt. 27:52–53). LCMS Summaries.
Introit (Psalm 24)
P: Bless the Man who comes in the name of the Lord!
C: From the Lord’s house, we bless You!
P: Jerusalem gates, look up! Ancient doors, open!
C: Then the King of Glory can come in.
P: Who is the King of Glory?
C: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord powerful in war.
P: Jerusalem gates, look up! Ancient doors, open!
C: Then the King of Glory can come in.
P: Who is the King of Glory?
C: The Lord of armies, He is the King of Glory!
All: Glory give to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, the same as it was in the beginning, is now, and will continue forever. Amen.
Prayer for God’s Word
P: Almighty and eternal God the Father, You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to become a man and suffer death on a cross. In Your mercy, make us follow Jesus; make us humble and patient the same-as Him. In the end, make us rise alive with Jesus. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Jesus lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: (copy) Amen.
What Is a Lutheran?
While there are a variety of ways one could answer this question, one very important answer is simply this, “A Lutheran is a person who believes, teaches and confesses the truths of God’s Word as they are summarized and confessed in the Book of Concord.” The Book of Concord contains the Lutheran confessions of faith.
Perhaps you have attended an ordination of a pastor and heard him promise that he will perform the duties of his office in accord with the Lutheran Confessions. When people are received into membership into a Lutheran congregation through confirmation they are asked if they confess the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as they have learned to know it from the Small Catechism, to be faithful and true.
These solemn promises indicate to us just how important the Lutheran Confessions are for our church. Let’s take a look at the various items contained in the Book of Concord and then we will talk about why the Lutheran Confessions are so important for being a Lutheran.
What are the Ecumenical Creeds?
The three ecumenical creeds in the Book of Concord are the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed. They are described as “ecumenical” [universal] because they are accepted by Christians worldwide as correct expressions of what God’s Word teaches.
What is the Augsburg Confession and Apology of the Augsburg Confession?
In the year 1530, the Lutherans were required to present their confession of faith before the emperor in Augsburg, Germany. Philip Melanchthon wrote the Augsburg Confession and it was read before the imperial court on June 30, 1530. One year later, the Lutherans presented their defense of the Augsburg Confession, which is what “apology” here means. It too was written by Philip Melanchthon. The largest document in the Book of Concord, its longest chapter, is devoted to the most important truth of the Christian faith: the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
What are the Small and Large Catechisms?
Martin Luther realized early on how desperately ignorant the laity and clergy of his day were when it came to even the most basic truths of the Christian faith. Around 1530, he produced two small handbooks to help pastors and the heads of families teach the faith.
The Small Catechism and the Large Catechism are organized around six topics: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession, and the Sacrament of the Altar. So universally accepted were these magnificent doctrinal summaries by Luther, that they were included as part of the Book of Concord.
What are the Smalcald Articles and the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope?
In 1537, Martin Luther was asked to prepare a statement of Lutheran belief for use at a church council, if it was called. Luther’s bold and vigorous confession of faith was later incorporated into the Book of Concord. It was presented to a group of Lutheran rulers meeting in the town of Smalcald. Philip Melanchthon was asked to expand on the subject of the Roman pope and did so in his treatise, which also was included in the Book of Concord.
What is the Formula of Concord?
After Luther’s death in 1546, significant controversies broke out in the Lutheran Church. After much debate and struggle, the Formula of Concord in 1577 put an end to these doctrinal controversies and the Lutheran Church was able to move ahead united in what it believed, taught and confessed. In 1580, all the confessional writings mentioned here were gathered into a single volume, the Book of Concord. Concord is a word that means, “harmony.” The Formula of Concord was summarized in a version known as the “Epitome” of the Formula of Concord. This document too is included in the Book of Concord.
What is the connection between the Bible and the Confessions?
We confess that, “The Word of God is and should remain the sole rule and norm of all doctrine” (FC SD, Rule and Norm, 9). What the Bible asserts, God asserts. What the Bible commands, God commands. The authority of the Scriptures is complete, certain and final. The Scriptures are accepted by the Lutheran Confessions as the actual Word of God. The Lutheran Confessions urge us to believe the Scriptures for “they will not lie to you” (LC, V, 76) and cannot be “false and deceitful” (FC SD, VII, 96). The Bible is God’s “pure, infallible, and unalterable Word” (Preface to the BOC).
The Lutheran Confessions are the “basis, rule, and norm indicating how all doctrines should be judged in conformity with the Word of God” (FC SD RN). Because the Confessions are in complete doctrinal agreement with the written Word of God, they serve as the standard in the Lutheran Church to determine what is faithful Biblical teaching, insofar as that teaching is addressed in the Confessions.
Now, may:
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and show grace to you.
The Lord look on you and give you peace.
Be safe, keep each other in prayer and, God willing, we will all see each other next Sunday!
Pastor Ken
Scripture Readings March 29, 2026 (ASL Format)
March 29,2026
This is the reading about Jesus coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Some churches will read this at the beginning of the service.
The Gospel is from John chapter 12. (Procession)
C: (copy) Glory to You, O Lord.
The next day, a large crowd was there for PASSOVER. They heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. They took branches from palm trees and went to meet Jesus. The people shouted, “HOSANNA! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord! He is the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it. That happened the same as the Bible says, “Don’t fear, people in Jerusalem. Look! Your king is coming, sitting on a COLT from a donkey.”
At first, Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand this. But after Jesus received His glory, then they remembered the Bible verses written about Him, and they understood they did those things to Jesus.
A crowd of people was with Jesus when He raised LAZARUS from the dead. Now those people were telling everyone what Jesus did. That is why a large crowd of people went to see Jesus because they heard about that wonderful work. The PHARISEES said to each other, “You aren’t doing any good trying to stop Jesus. Look, the whole world is following Him!”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: (copy) Praise to You, O Christ.
******************************
The Old Testament lesson is from Isaiah chapter 50.
The Lord taught me much. Now I know how to encourage a sad person.
Every morning God awakes me and He teaches me as a student. The Lord God opens my ear. I didn’t refuse or turn-away. I let people beat my back. I let people pull my beard. People spit in my face and mocked me, and I didn’t hide my face.
The Lord God helps Me. That is why I will not be ashamed. I am brave and I know I will not be ashamed. God is with me and He announces I am right. Who will argue with me? Let us stand together in-front-of the judge. Who is my enemy? Let him come near me. The Lord God helps Me. Who can say I am guilty?
This is the word of the Lord.
C: (copy) Thanks give to God.
**************************
The New Testament lesson from Philippians chapter 2.
You should have this attitude, the same-as Christ Jesus’ attitude. Jesus Himself is true God and equal with God; but Jesus didn’t hold-on to that. Jesus made Himself nothing. He became a servant and He was-born same-as a true man. Jesus became human, He humbled Himself and obeyed God. He obeyed until death, even dying on the cross. That is why God lifted-up Jesus to the highest place. God gave Jesus the name above all other names. Everyone will honor Jesus’ name and bow-down, all people in heaven and on earth and under the earth. And everyone will announce that Jesus Christ is Lord. This gives glory to God the Father.
This is the word of the Lord.
C: (copy) Thanks give to God.
***************************
There are three choices for the Gospel reading. Choose one.
1) The longest reading is Matthew 26:1 – 27:66, about the Passover and Lord’s Supper, Jesus getting arrested, the trial, crucifixion and death.
2) A shorter reading about Jesus’ suffering and death is Matthew 27:11-66.
3) Another reading is in John 12:20-43, where Jesus said He will die and rise alive.
The longer reading about Jesus getting arrested and crucified.
The Gospel lesson is from Matthew chapters 26 and 27.
C: (copy) Glory to You, O Lord.
Jesus finished teaching, then He told His disciples, “You know the PASSOVER will happen after two days. Then the Son of Man will get crucified.”
The chief priests and Jewish leaders met in the high priest’s house. His name was CAIAPHAS. They planned how to secretly arrest Jesus and kill Him. But they said, “Don’t do that during the PASSOVER celebration. The people will become angry.”
Jesus was in the town named BETHANY in the house belonging to SIMON the LEPER. A woman came with a jar of expensive perfume. Jesus was sitting at the table. The woman poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. The disciples became angry and said, “That is a waste of money! We could sell the perfume for much money and give to the poor!”
Jesus knew their thoughts. He said, “Why do you bother this woman? She did a beautiful thing for Me. You will always have poor people with you. But you will not always have Me with you. She poured perfume on My body to prepare Me to get buried. I tell you the truth. Every place the gospel is preached in the world, people will tell and remember what she did.”
One of the twelve disciples, named JUDAS ISCARIOT, went to the chief priests. He said, “If I give you Jesus, what will you give me?” They paid JUDAS 30 silver coins. Then JUDAS began looking-for a good time to betray Jesus.
On the first day of the celebration named UNLEAVENED (flat) BREAD, the disciples asked Jesus, “Where will You eat the PASSOVER? Where should we prepare?”
Jesus said, “Go into the city to a man. Tell him, ‘The Teacher says My time is near. I will celebrate the PASSOVER with My disciples in your house.’” The disciples did the same-as Jesus said and they prepared the PASSOVER.
That evening, Jesus lay at the table with the twelve disciples. While they ate, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. One of you will betray Me.” They were sad and each one said, “You mean me, Lord?” Jesus said, “The one eating from the same dish with Me, he will betray Me. The Son of Man will go the same-as the Bible says. But terrible for that man who betrays the Son of Man! Better for him if he was never born.” JUDAS was the one who will betray Jesus. He asked, “Will I betray You, Teacher?” Jesus said, “You said you will.”
While they ate, Jesus took bread, blessed that, He broke the bread and gave to His disciples. He said, “Take and eat, this is My body.” Then He took the cup. He thanked God, then He gave to them and said, “Drink this, all of you. This is My blood of promise, poured-out for many people to forgive their sins. I will not drink this wine again until the day I drink this in a new way with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
They sang a hymn, then they went to the MOUNT of OLIVES. Jesus told the disciples, “Tonight you will all lose faith because of Me. The Bible says, ‘I will hit the shepherd and the sheep will run away.’ But after I rise alive, I will go to meet you in Galilee.”
Peter said, “If they all lose faith because of You, I will never leave You.”
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. Tonight, before the rooster crows, you will say three times you don’t know Me.”
Peter said, “No-matter I must die with You, I will not say I don’t know You!” All the disciples said the same thing.
Jesus and the disciples went to a place named GETHSEMANE. Jesus told them, “Sit here. I will go over there and pray.” Jesus took PETER, JAMES and JOHN with Him. Jesus became very sad and upset. He told them, “My soul is very sad, sad enough to die. Stay here, watch with Me.”
Jesus went away a little, then He bowed down and prayed, “My Father, if possible, take-away this suffering. But not what I want, do what You want.” Jesus went again to the disciples and they were sleeping. Jesus sked PETER, “You can’t watch with Me for one hour? Watch and pray that you don’t get tempted. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
A second time, Jesus went away and prayed, “My Father, if suffering is the only way, let Your want happen.” Jesus came again and saw the disciples sleeping, because they were tired. Jesus went away and prayed the same a third time. Then Jesus came to the disciples and said, “You can sleep later. Now is the time the Son of Man gets betrayed and goes to sinners. Get up, let’s go. See, the one betraying Me is here.”
While Jesus was speaking, the disciple JUDAS came. A large group of people with swords and clubs were with him. They were from the chief priests and leaders. JUDAS told them, “The man you want, I will kiss Him. Arrest Him.” JUDAS went to Jesus and said, “Hello, Teacher!” And he kissed Jesus. Jesus said, “Friend, do what you planned.”
Then the group grabbed Jesus. One of Jesus’ disciples used his sword and hit the high priest’s servant and cut-off his ear. Jesus told him, “Put away your sword! Everyone who uses the sword will get killed by the sword. You should know I can ask My Father for help, and He will send 12 armies of angels. But if I do that, the Bible writings won’t happen.”
Then Jesus said to the group, “You arrest Me the same-as I am a thief? You come with swords and clubs to arrest Me? Every day I taught in the temple and you didn’t arrest Me. But everything is happening the same-as the Bible said.” Then all the disciples ran away.
The people who arrested Jesus took Him to the high priest CAIAPHAS. The law teachers and leaders were meeting there. PETER followed Jesus to the house and he went into the yard. He sat with the guards to see what will happen.
The chief priests and all the ruling council wanted false witnesses against Jesus, then they could kill Him. Many witnesses came, but the council didn’t get what they wanted. Finally two witnesses said, “Jesus said He can destroy God’s temple and build it again in three days.”
The high priest asked Jesus, “You have no answer? What do these men say about You?” Jesus said nothing. Then the high priest said, “I command you in the name of the living God, tell us, are you the Christ, the Son of God?”
Jesus said, “Yes, you said that. I tell you, beginning now you will see the Son of Man sitting near the right hand of God’s power, and He will come on the clouds of heaven.”
The high priest tore his robes and said, “His words insult God! We don’t need more witnesses. You heard Him insult God. What is your decision?” The council said, “Jesus deserves death.” The people spit in Jesus’ face and hit Him. Some people slapped Jesus and said, “Christ, speak to us! Who hit you?”
PETER sat outside in the yard. A servant girl said to PETER, “You were with Jesus from GALILEE.” But Peter denied and said to everyone, “I don’t know what you mean.”
PETER went to the entrance. Another servant girl saw him and said to people, “This man was with Jesus from NAZARETH.” Peter denied and swore, “I don’t know the man.”
Later, the people standing there said, “You are with Jesus. Your accent is the same.” Then PETER began cursing and swearing, “I don’t know the man!” Quickly a rooster crowed. Then PETER remembered what Jesus said, “Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know Me.” Then PETER left and cried bitterly.
In the morning, all the chief priests and leaders met and planned to kill Jesus. They tied-up Jesus and took Him to the Roman governor named PILATE.
JUDAS, the one who betrayed Jesus, saw they decided to kill Jesus. He was sorry and he brought the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and leaders. He said, “I sinned! I betrayed an innocent man.”
They said, “Not our problem! That is your problem.” JUDAS threw-down the money in the temple. He went out and hanged himself. The chief priests took the money and said, “It is against the law to use this money for church, because this paid to kill a man.” They decided to use the money to buy the field belonging to the pot-maker. They used the field to bury strangers. That is why the field is named the Field of Blood. That happened the same-as the prophet JEREMIAH said, “They took the 30 silver coins. That was the price the people of Israel decided to pay for Him. They gave the money for the pot-maker’s field, the same as the Lord told me.”
Jesus stood in-front-of the Roman governor. The governor asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
Jesus said, “Yes, you say that.” But when the chief priests and leaders accused Jesus, He said nothing.
Then PILATE asked Him, “You hear how they blame You?” But Jesus answered nothing, not one word. The governor was surprised.
During the PASSOVER celebration, the governor freed one prisoner for the people. He freed any man the people wanted. A terrible man named BARABBAS was in prison. The people came together and PILATE asked, “You want me to free who? BARABBAS? Or Jesus Christ?” PILATE knew the Jewish leaders arrested Jesus because they were jealous.
PILATE sat on the judgment seat. His wife sent him a message saying, “Leave that righteous man alone. Today I suffered much because of a dream about Him.”
The chief priests and Jewish leaders told the crowd to ask to free BARABBAS and kill Jesus. The governor asked the people, “You want me to free who?”
The people said, “BARABBAS!”
PILATE asked, “Then what do I do with Jesus Christ?”
All the people said, “Crucify Him!”
PILATE asked, “Why? What evil thing did Jesus do?”
The people shouted more, “Crucify Him!”
PILATE saw nothing good will happen, but a RIOT will start. He got water and washed his hands in-front-of the people. He said, “I am innocent. I am not responsible for killing this man. You do it.”
All the people said, “His blood on us and our children!” Then PILATE freed BARABBAS. He whipped Jesus and sent Jesus to get crucified.
The soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s house. All the soldiers came together. They took-off Jesus’ clothes and put a red robe on Him. They made a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They put a stick in His right hand. The soldiers kneeled in-front-of Jesus. They mocked Him and said, “Honor the King of the Jews!” They spit on Him and took the stick and hit His head. They finished mocking Him. Then they took-off the robe, put His clothes on Him and led Him to get crucified.
The soldiers found a man from the city CYRENE. His name was SIMON. They forced SIMON to carry Jesus’ cross.
They arrived at the place named GOLGOTHA. That means Place of a SKULL. They gave Jesus wine and GALL to drink. Jesus tasted that, then He refused to drink it. The soldiers crucified Him. Then they threw DICE to divide His clothes. Then they sat-down to watch Jesus. Above Jesus’ head they put a sign that said, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
The soldiers also crucified two thieves there, one on the right and one on the left. People walked-by and insulted Jesus. They said, “You said You will destroy the temple and build it again in three days. Save Yourself! If You are God’s Son, come-down from the cross.”
The chief priests, law teachers and leaders also mocked Jesus. They said, “He saved other people, but He can’t save Himself. He is the King of Israel, right? Come down from the cross and we will believe! He trusts in God. Let God save Him, if God wants Him. Because Jesus said He is the Son of God.” The crucified thieves insulted Him the same way.
At noon all-over became dark and that stayed for three hours. About three o’clock Jesus shouted loudly, "ELI, ELI, LEMA SABACHTHANI?” That means, “My God, My God, why did You ignore Me?”
Some people standing near heard that and said, “He is calling to ELIJAH.”
Quickly one man ran, got a sponge, filled that with vinegar, put that on a stick, and held it for Jesus to drink. But other people said, “Don’t bother Jesus. Watch to see if ELIJAH will come to save Him.”
Jesus shouted loudly and gave up His spirit.
Then the curtain in the temple tore in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and rocks broke. Also tombs opened. Many holy people who died now raised alive. After Jesus was raised alive, these people came out of their tombs. They went into the holy city and many people saw them.
The soldier captain and the people with him saw the earthquake and everything that happened. They were surprised and said, “He truly was the Son of God!”
Many women were near there, watching. These women earlier followed Jesus from GALILEE and served Him. Some of the women were MARY MAGDALENE, MARY the mother of JAMES and JOSEPH, and the mother of JAMES and JOHN.
That evening, a rich man from the city ARIMATHEA came. His name was JOSEPH, and he followed Jesus. He went to PILATE and asked to have Jesus’ body. PILATE ordered to give him the body. JOSEPH took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in a clean cloth, and laid the body in JOSEPH’s tomb. JOSEPH cut the tomb into the rock. He rolled a large stone in-front-of the tomb and went-away. MARY MAGDALENE and the other MARY were there, sitting near the tomb.
The next day was after the special day of preparing. The chief priests and PHARISEES met with PILATE. They said, “We remember when that false teacher Jesus was alive, He said after three days He will rise alive. Please order to protect the tomb until the third day. Or His disciples will steal Jesus’ body and tell people that Jesus was raised alive from the dead. That false story will be worse than the first story.”
PILATE said, “You have soldiers. Go and protect the tomb as-much as you can.” The Jews sealed the stone and put soldiers to guard the tomb.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: (copy) Praise to You, O Christ.
***************************
This is a shorter reading of Jesus’ suffering and death.
The Gospel is from Matthew chapter 27.
C: (copy) Glory to You, O Lord.
Jesus stood in-front-of the Roman governor. The governor asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
Jesus said, “Yes, you say that.” But when the chief priests and leaders accused Jesus, He said nothing.
Then PILATE asked Him, “You hear how they blame You?” But Jesus answered nothing, not one word. The governor was surprised.
During the PASSOVER celebration, the governor freed one prisoner for the people. He freed any man the people wanted. A terrible man named BARABBAS was in prison. The people came together and PILATE asked, “You want me to free who? BARABBAS? Or Jesus Christ?” PILATE knew the Jewish leaders arrested Jesus because they were jealous.
PILATE sat on the judgment seat. His wife sent him a message saying, “Leave that righteous man alone. Today I suffered much because of a dream about Him.”
The chief priests and Jewish leaders told the crowd to ask to free BARABBAS and kill Jesus. The governor asked the people, “You want me to free who?”
The people said, “BARABBAS!”
PILATE asked, “Then what do I do with Jesus Christ?”
All the people said, “Crucify Him!”
PILATE asked, “Why? What evil thing did Jesus do?”
The people shouted more, “Crucify Him!”
PILATE saw nothing good will happen, but a RIOT will start. He got water and washed his hands in-front-of the people. He said, “I am innocent. I am not responsible for killing this man. You do it.”
All the people said, “His blood on us and our children!” Then PILATE freed BARABBAS. He whipped Jesus and sent Jesus to get crucified.
The soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s house. All the soldiers came together. They took-off Jesus’ clothes and put a red robe on Him. They made a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They put a stick in His right hand. The soldiers kneeled in-front-of Jesus. They mocked Him and said, “Honor the King of the Jews!” They spit on Him and took the stick and hit His head. They finished mocking Him. Then they took-off the robe, put His clothes on Him and led Him to get crucified.
The soldiers found a man from the city CYRENE. His name was SIMON. They forced SIMON to carry Jesus’ cross.
They arrived at the place named GOLGOTHA. That means Place of a SKULL. They gave Jesus wine and GALL to drink. Jesus tasted that, then He refused to drink it. The soldiers crucified Him. Then they threw DICE to divide His clothes. Then they sat-down to watch Jesus. Above Jesus’ head they put a sign that said, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
The soldiers also crucified two thieves there, one on the right and one on the left. People walked-by and insulted Jesus. They said, “You said You will destroy the temple and build it again in three days. Save Yourself! If You are God’s Son, come-down from the cross.”
The chief priests, law teachers and leaders also mocked Jesus. They said, “He saved other people, but He can’t save Himself. He is the King of Israel, right? Come down from the cross and we will believe! He trusts in God. Let God save Him, if God wants Him. Because Jesus said He is the Son of God.” The crucified thieves insulted Him the same way.
At noon all-over became dark and that stayed for three hours. About three o’clock Jesus shouted loudly, "ELI, ELI, LEMA SABACHTHANI?” That means, “My God, My God, why did You ignore Me?”
Some people standing near heard that and said, “He is calling to ELIJAH.”
Quickly one man ran, got a sponge, filled that with vinegar, put that on a stick, and held it for Jesus to drink. But other people said, “Don’t bother Jesus. Watch to see if ELIJAH will come to save Him.”
Jesus shouted loudly and gave up His spirit.
Then the curtain in the temple tore in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and rocks broke. Also tombs opened. Many holy people who died now raised alive. After Jesus was raised alive, these people came out of their tombs. They went into the holy city and many people saw them.
The soldier captain and the people with him saw the earthquake and everything that happened. They were surprised and said, “He truly was the Son of God!”
Many women were near there, watching. These women earlier followed Jesus from GALILEE and served Him. Some of the women were MARY MAGDALENE, MARY the mother of JAMES and JOSEPH, and the mother of JAMES and JOHN.
That evening, a rich man from the city ARIMATHEA came. His name was JOSEPH, and he followed Jesus. He went to PILATE and asked to have Jesus’ body. PILATE ordered to give him the body. JOSEPH took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in a clean cloth, and laid the body in JOSEPH’s tomb. JOSEPH cut the tomb into the rock. He rolled a large stone in-front-of the tomb and went-away. MARY MAGDALENE and the other MARY were there, sitting near the tomb.
The next day was after the special day of preparing. The chief priests and PHARISEES met with PILATE. They said, “We remember when that false teacher Jesus was alive, He said after three days He will rise alive. Please order to protect the tomb until the third day. Or His disciples will steal Jesus’ body and tell people that Jesus was raised alive from the dead. That false story will be worse than the first story.”
PILATE said, “You have soldiers. Go and protect the tomb as-much as you can.” The Jews sealed the stone and put soldiers to guard the tomb.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: (copy) Praise to You, O Christ.
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This is a shorter reading, Jesus says He will die and rise alive.
The Gospel is from John chapter 12.
C: (copy) Glory to You, O Lord.
Some Greek people came to worship at the PASSOVER celebration. The Greek people went to PHILIP and said, “We want to see Jesus.” PHILIP was from the city BETHSAIDA in GALILEE. PHILIP went and told ANDREW. They both went and told Jesus.
Jesus said, “Now is the time for the Son of Man to receive glory. I tell you the truth. If a SEED doesn’t fall into the ground and die, then it stays only one seed. But if that SEED dies, then that grows much food.
Anyone loving his-own life will lose his life. But anyone hating his life in this world will keep eternal life. Anyone serving Me must follow Me, and the place I go My servant goes-there too. Anyone serving Me, the Father will honor him.
Now My heart feels troubled. What should I say? Father, save Me? No! This is why I came. Father, give glory to Your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, “I give glory to My name, and I will give glory again.”
The people standing there heard that but they thought that was thunder. Some people said, “An angel spoke to Jesus.”
But Jesus said, “That voice spoke to help you, not Me. Now is the time God will judge the world. Now I will throw-out the devil ruling this world. When I get lifted up above the earth, I will pull all people to Me. “ Jesus said that to show His death will happen on a cross.
The people said, “The Law says the Christ will live forever. Why do You say the Son of Man will get lifted up? Who is the Son of Man?”
Jesus said, “The light is with you a short time. Walk while you have the light. Or darkness will defeat you. The person walking in the dark doesn’t know where he is going. You have the light. Believe in the light, then you can become sons belonging to light.”
After Jesus said that, He left and hid from the people. Jesus gave them many proofs, but they didn’t believe in Him. That showed the prophecy from ISAIAH was true. ISAIAH said, “Lord, who believed our message? Who sees the Lord’s powerful work?”
That is why the people couldn’t believe. ISAIAH also said this: “He made their eyes blind and their hearts hard. Then their eyes can’t see and their hearts can’t understand. Then they can’t repent and can’t have God’s healing.”
ISAIAH said that because he saw Jesus’ glory and talked about Him. But many of the Jewish leaders did believe in Jesus. But they were afraid of the PHARISEES and kept their faith a secret. They didn’t want the Jews to force them out of the Jewish church. They loved attention from people more than they loved God’s glory.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: (copy) Praise to You, O Christ.