(courtesy Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – www.ELCA.org)

The Three Days

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter

Resources

Evangelical Lutheran Worship Liturgies contains liturgies for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter.

The Three Day Feast: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter by Gail Ramshaw
Recent decades have witnessed the revival of the ancient liturgies of the Three Days — Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter. In this book Ramshaw gives a little history and a lot of suggestions about how these services can enrich the worship life of your entire assembly.

Maundy Thursday

Evangelical Lutheran Worship Leaders Desk Edition, pp. 628-633

Footwashing
Locate one or more sets of basins and pitchers and an ample supply of towels for the footwashing. If the footwashing is a new practice in your congregation, prepare a few people ahead of time to be the first to come forward in order to encourage the participation of as many people as possible.

Stripping of the Altar
Recruit and rehearse volunteers (sacristans/altar guild members, even children) to strip the altar.

Good Friday

Evangelical Lutheran Worship Leaders Desk Edition, pp. 634-642

Passion according to John
One option for reading the passion gospel is in dialogue form for seven readers with assembly participation. Available in a small paperback booklet.

Procession of the Cross
Find or construct a large wooden cross for use in the liturgy. Determine how it will be placed in the chancel or carried in procession.

Vigil of Easter

Evangelical Lutheran Worship Leaders Desk Edition, pp. 643-653

Candles
Determine whether handheld candles will be given to each worshiper. Purchase a new paschal candle. Prior to the liturgy, place the paschal candle stand in the chancel for use throughout the fifty days of Easter.

Vigil Fire
Recruit someone to prepare the materials needed for the fire, to light it, and to put out the fire after the service of light.

Vigil Readings
Decide how light will be provided for assisting ministers and lectors. Determine what level of light is needed so the assembly can participate in the liturgy. Practice setting lighting levels at night with the person who will be responsible for this during the liturgy. Plan how the readings will be proclaimed. Consider having a different person proclaim each reading to enliven the readings for the assembly. Consider reading from an elegant ritual lectionary book.

Holy Baptism and Affirmation of Baptism
If the Vigil of Easter or Easter Day is to be observed as a baptismal festival, publicize the festival for the congregation, and arrange for baptismal preparation sessions with parents, sponsors, and candidates. For the liturgy, prepare the following.

• A baptismal towel may be used and given to each person baptized
• A baptismal candle may be lit and given to each person baptized
• Shell (if used)
• Oil for anointing (olive oil may be used alone or mixed with a scened oil)
• Baptismal garment for each person baptized (if used)

If the Affirmation of Baptism (Evangelical Lutheran Worship pew edition pages 234-237) is used, evergreen branches for sprinkling the assembly may be used as a reminder of baptism.