The Three Holy Days

of Christendom

Holy Week 2018

The Triduum (TRID-oo-um, “three

days”) refers to the time from worship on

Maundy Thursday until the final worship of

Easter Day. The “Three Holy Days” of the

passion and resurrection of Christ is the

culmination of the entire church year. It is

over these days – Maundy Thursday, Good

Friday, Easter – that we celebrate God’s

redeeming love in the dying and rising of

his Son, Jesus, and still see that love today.

The Triduum is a single celebration. Once

we have begun the Triduum on Maundy

Thursday, we do not “leave” it until Easter

Sunday. It is one continuous celebration of

dying and rising, with Christ. Thus this

booklet. It contains as one liturgy our

corporate worship life during the Three

Holy Days of 2018.

Table of Contents

Maundy Thursday Page 2

Good Friday Cross of Christ Page 14

Good Friday Tenebrae Page 24

Easter Vigil Page 30

Easter Festival Page 40

Morrison Zion

Evangelical Lutheran

Church

Wisconsin Evangelical

Lutheran Synod

Our mission is to

Glorify God as we help people

Grow in the

Gospel and

Go with the

Gospel

Welcome! We thank God

that you have joined us at

worship today. Restrooms

are located in the basement.

Hearing loop headphones

and Large Print Hymnals are

available from an usher.

Today we gather together

in the presence of God. He is

present among us in a

special way through his

Word and Sacrament. We

humbly acknowledge our sin

and rejoice in the good news

of forgiveness through the

life and death of Christ. This

is the focus of our worship.

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This morning we will use the Festival Setting of the Service of Word and Sacrament as it is printed in the service folder as our order of worship.

PRESERVICE: Church Band The Heavens Are Telling Antiphonal Celebration

OPENING RESPONSES

CALL TO WORSHIP

Stand

M: Christ is risen!

C: He is risen indeed!

C: (sung) Alleluia!

M: Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins

C: (sung) Alleluia!

C: And he was raised to life for our justification!

M: This is the day the Lord has made!

C: (sung) Alleluia!

C: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

C: (sung) Alleluia!

HYMN OF PRAISE: Jesus Christ is Risen Today CW 157

CONFESSION OF SINS

M: God invites us to come into his presence and worship him with humble and penitent

hearts. Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask him to forgive us.

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I

have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what

Easter Festival Worship April 1, 2018

The Festival of the Resurrection of Our Lord is the high point of the Christian Church Year. We celebrate Christ’s victory over death that is ours by faith. The Paschal Candle, as a symbolic reminder of the risen Christ, helps us to celebrate the fact that the darkness of sin and death has been overcome by the resurrection. The Paschal candle

will burn throughout the Easter season until Ascension.

41

is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment

both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in

my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

M: God our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be

the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his

authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of

the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

Lord, Have Mercy Kyrie M: For all that we need in life and for the wisdom to use all your gifts with gratitude

and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord.

M: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from your love and for

the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our

prayer, O Christ.

M: For the well-being of your church in all the world and for those who offer here

their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord.

M: Merciful God, maker and preserver of life, uphold us by your power and keep us in

your tender care:

M: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; his name is worthy of praise.

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O LORD, OUR LORD (sung)

43

PRAYER OF THE DAY M: Let us pray.

Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you conquered

death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with

him through baptism, may walk in newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of

sharing his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy

Spirit be dominion and praise now and forever.

Be Seated

THE WORD

CHOIR The Lord Is Risen

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 25:6-9 What is the shroud that covers all people and the sheet that covers the nations? Is it not the futility of history and of life itself, all of which ends in death and decay for individuals, for nations, for all institutions and all they build and hold dear? Is it not the fear that the disgrace of our vain existence and the folly of our struggles for life, for honor, for this and that will all be revealed in our death? Looked at apart from Christ we fear the shroud of death. We fear it if we think it ends all, and we fear it even more if we suspect that it doesn’t end all. Ah, but now is Christ risen! Now life makes sense and so does history. Life and history come from God and he gives and uses them, so that he can prepare a banquet for us, a banquet of life eternal. Fear is not our lot and death is not our goal! He is! As we are his, so he is ours! And in his work for us, he does not disappoint. What a day! He is risen! He is risen indeed! This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation!

44

6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare

a feast of rich food for all peoples,

a banquet of aged wine—

the best of meats and the finest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy

the shroud that enfolds all peoples,

the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears

from all faces;

he will remove his people’s disgrace

from all the earth.

The LORD has spoken.

9 In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;

we trusted in him, and he saved us.

This is the LORD, we trusted in him;

let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (NIV)

PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 118 (Page 57 CWS)

SECOND LESSON 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 If death was all that we had to look forward to, then we would be miserable indeed. We would have reason to fear that our whole life was in vain and the endurance of every struggle or temptation a wasted effort. If death ends all, why struggle, why sacrifice, why endure opposition and persecution especially from our own flesh in its fight with sins and temptations? But death does not end all. Death, feared by all, has now fallen victim to Christ in his resurrection; he has conquered it for us! We will rise. We will see him as he is. We will spend eternity not in dust but in adoration. That’s why he came. That’s why he died. That’s why we are so glad on this most holy day of days. Therefore do not be afraid of life. Fear death even less. For Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! His life is our life, our death is his death, his resurrection and his heaven are our future!

19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have

fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes

also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But

each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he

has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put

all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (NIV)

VERSE OF THE DAY This Is The Day Sung by the Choir

45

Stand

GOSPEL Mark 16:1-8 What were the women afraid of? It is interesting to note that they have triumphed over all kinds of fears at the beginning of the gospel lesson, but they are overcome by fear at its close, at least temporarily. What do we have to be afraid of? They could have feared the soldiers. We may be afraid of people who hate the church or hate us. They could have been afraid of what they did not understand. We could too, for who grasps the invisible power of God or understands death and clearly “sees” what follows it? They could have been afraid of God, calling to mind their own earlier sins and doubts. We surely can sympathize with them in that! But the empty tomb and the angel of the resurrection says to all of our fears, Don’t be afraid! He is risen, just as he promised! Now we can be sure that he will keep all of his promises. For if he kept this one, then nothing will be too hard for him, and nothing will hold him back from his assurance to us of his grace, his protection in life and death, his promise even of our resurrection.

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and

Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the

first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb3 and they

asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been

rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe

sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was

crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell

his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him,

just as he told you.’” 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said

nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. (NIV)

M: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Be Seated

HYMN: I Know That My Redeemer Lives CW 152 verse 1: all verse 5: choir

verse 2: men verse 6: all

verse 3: women verse 7: all

verse 4: all (stand) verse 8: all

SERMON Rolled Away Mark 16:1-8

46

NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is,

seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,

and became fully human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

He suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

OFFERING During the offering, please sign the friendship register in your pew. Thank you!

MUSICAL OFFERING: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Church Band

Stand

PRAYER M: Heavenly Father, God of grace, you have brought us into a new and living hope by

the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

C: Christ is risen!

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M: For as in Adam all died, so in Christ all will be made alive.

C: He is risen indeed!

M: He was delivered over to death for our sins, and raised to life for our justification.

C: Alleluia!

M: We marvel at the love you showed by your willingness to sacrifice your Son to pay

for our sins; we bow down in adoration at your mighty power which raised him

from the dead.

C: We praise you for sending the true Life and Light into the world.

M: Lord Jesus, God of grace, you have filled our hearts with resurrection joy by your

victory over sin, death, and the grave.

C: You have conquered the darkness and given us comfort and hope.

M: With the church of every age, we offer you unending praise, for you have crushed

Satan's head and have removed our guilt.

C: You are risen!

M: Dear Savior, we who are weary and burdened come to you for rest, knowing that

because of your perfect redemption there is now no condemnation for us.

C: You are risen indeed!

M: Take away our doubts and fears, and daily renew in us the joy of our salvation.

C: Alleluia!

M: Holy Spirit, God of grace, you have called us by the gospel and brought us to saving

faith in our risen Lord.

C: We glorify you for opening our eyes to see the light of life.

M: Keep us with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

C: He is risen!

M: As we journey through life, make us yearn for the day when you will give eternal

life to us and all believers in Christ.

C: He is risen indeed!

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

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M: Work through us as we proclaim the saving message of the crucified and risen

Jesus near and far, so that many others may hear your call, obtain the salvation

that is in Christ Jesus, and join us before the throne of our God and of the Lamb.

C: Alleluia! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Alleluia!

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy

will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and

forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and

lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the

kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

THE SACRAMENT

M: The Lord be with you.

M: Lift up your hearts.

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

PROPER PREFACE M: Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In love he has blessed us

with every spiritual blessing. He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his

right hand in the heavenly realms and placed all things under his feet for the

benefit of the Church. Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom

of our God and the authority of his Christ. To him who sits on the throne and to the

Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory for ever and ever.

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

WORDS OF INSTITUTION M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had

given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is

my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, “Drink from it, all of

you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the

forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

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O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD

Be Seated

DISTRIBUTION Because God speaks of communing together as an expression of unity in faith we practice close communion. All WELS members are welcome to commune with us.

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS Awake My Heart With Gladness CW 156

At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing CW 141

Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands CWS 720

THANKSGIVING

STAND

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THANK THE LORD

M: Hear the prayers of your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised you here

may glorify you in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of your Son,

may long for his coming again, and that all who have received in his true body and

blood the pledge of your forgiveness may be restored to live a new and holy life,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

BENEDICTION M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord

with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

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Be Seated

CLOSING HYMN: He is Arisen! Glorious Word CW 162

POSTLUDE Trumpet Voluntary Church Band

Service of Word and Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-725297

Questions/Comments about Zion? Contact:

Pastor Randy Ott home: 864-2348; mobile: 362-7118; ottrr@mzluth.org

Principal Rick Muchka 414-704-3779; school 864-2349, richard.muchka@mzls.org

President Charles Edinger 606-2119, candmedinger@icloud.com

Elders: DJ Kittell 863-8162

School Board: Joel Dobberpuhl 864-2159

School Faculty Hannah Holzhueter, Brenda Kuchenbecker, Katie Muchka, Tim Pingel, Rick Muchka

Website: www.mzluth.org Synod : www.wels.net

Custodians: Dick Tisler 775-4042 (church) Paig Alexander 639-7167 (school)

Secretary: Nancy Pantzlaff 864-7334

Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service Appleton (WELS counseling) Kathleen Jasman 731-9798

Living Hope Counseling Ministries De Pere (WELS counseling) Dr. John Johnson, Director 338-8699

Announcements

News From Zion

It has pleased our Heavenly Father to call the

soul of Virgil Kalies to his heavenly home. Virgil

died on Wednesday, March 28. His funeral will

be Tuesday, April 3 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation at

church will begin at 9:00 a.m. Please pray for

God’s comfort for all who mourn.

Call Extended The Lord called Pastor Jeffrey

Grundmeier to be our pastor. Please pray that

the Lord leads him to the decision that is best

for God’s Kingdom!

Commons Bible Study This week we continue

our study on Peter. The book from the God’s

People Series that accompanies the study is

$5. We meet in the school commons at 9:15

a.m.

Adult Christ Light Class meets in the church at

9:15 a.m. each Sunday. Please join us as we

study lessons from Bible History.

Book Study On Sunday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. we

will discuss chapter 7 of Will the Real Jesus

Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs. We will not

meet on Easter.

Youth Group Bible Study will not meet on Easter

Men’s Bible Study will not meet this Monday.

Join us Monday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the

commons.

Thank You to everyone who served the Lord and

his people in worship this Holy Week! Many

served behind the scenes to clean, set up, and

facilitate worship. Others served us musically

in choir, band, as an accompanist, or asour

director. Thank you one and all for your service

to glorify God!

Easter Refreshments Nickel Funeral Home pro-

vided donuts today. We will also have other

refreshments available from a Thrivent Action

Team card. Thank you for providing us with

these items!

Manitowoc Pastors Conference will be at Morri-

son on Monday, April 8. If you would liketo

make a salad for the event. Please speak to

Nancy Pantzlaff or Diane Suchomel.

Mo r r i s o n Z i o n Lu th e ra n Ch u rc h Pa s to r Ra nd y O t t

www. m zl u t h .o r g 8 6 4 - 2 34 8 ( hom e) 36 2 - 7 11 8 (m o b i l e ) o t t r r @m z lu th .o r g ( em a i l )

April 1, 2018

The Festival of

the Resurrection

of Our Lord

Volume 6

Issue 13

Our

Mission

is to

Glorify

God as we

Gather around

the

Gospel

so that we

Grow in the

Gospel

and

Go with the

Gospel

Pen Pals Wanted Psalm 18 30 ministry would

like your help to encourage our distant mem-

bers to stay close to Jesus. We would like vol-

unteers to write to those who are in the mili-

tary, college, or live far away. We will meet in

the church basement to explain this new minis-

try opportunity after late worship on April 8.

Open Forum will be after worship April 15. We

will meet in the church. Everyone is welcome to

offer any comments as we prepare for the vot-

ers meeting the following week.

Voters Meeting and Call Meeting will be after

worship April 22. We will meet in the commons

at school.

Soup For Souls Chicken dumpling soup, home-

made bread, and rhubarb crisp are restocked

and in both the school and church freezers.

Please feel free to take a meal of soup and

dessert along with a homemade card to a

friend, relative, or coworker and share the mes-

sage of our Savior’s love!

Scrip Dates to order in person:

Sunday, April 8 church between services

Monday, April 16 school 8:00-8:30 a.m.

Sunday, April 22 church between services

Monday, April 30 school 8:00-8:30 a.m.

If you want to place an order outside these

times you can either call or text Michelle at

619-0626 or drop your order off in the office. !

Take Out Booyah and bakery goods will be avail-

able at the Craft and Vendor show in our gym

on April 21, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Proceeds from

booyah and baked goods will help refinish the

gym floor. If you would like to provide baked

goods or help sell booyah or bakery items,

there is a sign up sheet in the basement.

Please contact Gloria Ostranga for more infor-

mation.

MLC Ladies Choir As part of Emanuel's (New

London) 125th Anniversary Celebration week-

end the MLC Ladies Choir will sing at the 5:15

p.m. service on April 21. We invite you to join

us at this special event.

Page 2 News From Zion

Glorify Gather Grow Go

Easter Li l ies

In Memory of Given by

Erna Wanie Sharon Faulds

Viola Pischke Sharon Faulds

Marvin & Arvilla Kuchenbecker Kuchenbecker family

Jean Loppnow Don & Nancy Pantzlaff

Wilmer Pantzlaff Sr. Don & Nancy Pantzlaff

Melvin Zeamer Ruth Zeamer

Edward Ihlenfeldt Jr. Ruth Zeamer

Milan Heling The Heling family

Lorraine Heling The Heling family

Carla Steffel The Heling family

Micah Gifford Stephen & Annette Gifford

Ruth Tisler Tisler family

Ervin Zeamer Sr. Lois Zeamer

Andrew Rasmussen Gail Wegner

Myron Kiley Vicki Wegner

Betty Dahl Aimee & Gabby Nommensen

Victor & Adela Laabs Rodney Laabs

Luther von Stein Mark & Brenda Kuchenbecker family

Carter Hagenow Jason & Michaela Hagenow & family

Mildred Wegner David & Phyllis Wegner

Elmer Loppnow Sylvia Loppnow

Orville Otto Annette Gifford

Walter & Alvera Piepenburg Janet Gollnick

Edmund & Magdeline Dobberpuhl Don & Elaine Kittell

Albert & Elfrieda Kittell Don & Elaine Kittell

Myron Kiley Jill Kiley

Adela &Victor Laabs Russel Laabs

Franklin & Grace Falck Annette Konshak

Ervin Zeamer Sr. Ervin & Jackie Zeamer

Brooklynn Zeamer Ervin & Jackie Zeamer

Walter & Florence Beyer John Beyer

Florence Beyer Alice Lasee

Edward Werner Randy & Paula Ott

Jack & Leona Ott Randy & Paula Ott

Lilies also donated by

Charles & Annette Lemke

Ron & Carolyn Bruner

Gail Rutter

The Easter Lilies in the front of church today were given by the people listed below. Thank you to everyone for provid-

ing lilies for us to enjoy today. The contrast between the starkness of Good Friday worship and the sights and smells of

Easter worship reminds us that everything has changed. Christ is risen! We have been declared not guilty!

Page 3 News From Zion

Our Stewardship of the Means of Grace Worship: 494 (178, 316)

Communion: 333 (131, 202)

Lent Midweek 5: 202 (126, 76)

Bible Study 53 (11, 38, X, X, 4)

Youth Study: 14

Glorify Gather Grow Go

Weekly Calendar

Sunday 9:15 a.m. Commons Bible Study

Tuesday 7:00 p.m. School Board

Wednesday 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class

5:30 p.m. Bible History Class

7:00 p.m. Choir

Thursday 7:00 p.m. Easter 2 Worship, communion

8:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study at Ruth Zeamer’s home

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Easter 2 Worship, communion

9:15 a.m. Sunday School

9:15 a.m. Commons Bible Study

9:15 a.m. Christ Light Bible Study

10:30 a.m. Easter 2 Worship, communion

11:30 a.m. Pen Pal Ministry training, church basement

7:00 p.m. Youth Group Study, school

7:00 p.m. Real Jesus? Book Discussion, chapter 7, church

Questions/Comments about Morrison Zion? Contact:

Pastor Randy Ott home: 864-2348; mobile: 362-7118; ottrr@mzluth.org

Principal Rick Muchka mobile 414-704-3779; school 864-2349, richard.muchka@mzls.org

President Charles Edinger 606-2119, candmedinger@icloud.com

Elders: DJ Kittell 775-4042

School Board: Joel Dobberpuhl 864-2159

School Faculty: Hannah Holzhueter, Brenda Kuchenbecker, Katie Muchka, Tim Pingel, Rick Muchka

Secretary: Nancy Pantzlaff 864-7334

Website: www.mzluth.org Synod : www.wels.net

Custodians: Dick Tisler 775-4042 (church) Paig Alexander 639-7167 (school)

Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service Appleton (WELS counseling)

Kathleen Jasman 731-9798

Living Hope Counseling Ministries De Pere (WELS counseling)

Dr. John Johnson, Director 338-8699

Page 4 News From Zion

Glorify Gather Grow Go

In the days following the assassination of Presi-

dent Abraham Lincoln, the United States Army con-

ducted one of the largest manhunts our young country

had ever seen. The assassin, John Wilkes Booth, had

managed to make his escape into the countryside.

But the army was determined to get their man. They

left no stone unturned. In fact, in their passion to

bring the president’s killer to justice, fourteen hun-

dred soldiers volunteered to search the swamps of

Maryland. A journalist accompanying those brave men

described the ordeal in this way: “The soldiers were

only a few paces apart and in steady order they took

to the ground as it came, now plunging to their arm-

pits in slime, now attacked by legions of wood ticks,

now attempting some unfaithful log…and plunging to

the tip of the skull in poisonous stagnation. The tree

boughs rent their uniforms. They came out upon dry

land, many of them without a rag of garment,

scratched and gnashed, and spent, repugnant to

themselves, and disgusting to those who saw them.”

Eighty-three soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. They

died in the swamps of Maryland. We marvel at the

bravery of all those soldiers and respect their devotion

to their slain Commander-in-Chief. While their sacrifice

was immense, it is something that we can under-

stand. These men gave themselves for a worthy

cause.

The journalist’s account of the soldiers’ mission

brings to mind another sacrifice—one we will never be

able to understand—the one made by our Lord Jesus.

He too waded into a swamp of filth. The perfect Son of

God plunged headlong into a world poisoned by our

sin. He waded through the slime of our anger and ha-

tred. His brow was pierced. His flesh was torn. He dis-

gusted all who saw him. “He was despised and reject-

ed by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffer-

ing. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was

despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3).

There are some striking similarities between Jesus

and the soldiers of the Union Army. But here is where

they all stop. Those soldiers were hunting a killer to

bring him to justice. Jesus, on the other hand, entered

the swamp to save killers, adulterers, liars, and

thieves. He gave himself to save us sinners from the

justice we deserved: “Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him strick-

en by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was

pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our

iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was

upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah

53:4-5). Heaven’s Commander-in-Chief died in devo-

tion to the rebels who killed him. Such love leads us to

marvel with St. Paul: “Very rarely will anyone die for a

righteous man, though for a good man someone

might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates

his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8).

Jesus marched through the swamp of our sin right

into hellish fires of our punishment. He was despised

by the people he came to save, and disowned by the

Father who sent him. Christ was killed in our place.

But neither the swamp of our sin nor the sting of our

death could stop him. He who marched into hell as

our Substitute marched back out again as our con-

quering Hero. Victory over sin and Satan is ours in

Christ’s resurrection.

May this wondrous truth fill you with peace and joy

this week and always!

Pastor Joel M. Zank, President

Northern Wisconsin District--WELS

News From Our High Schools

Easter Devotion From Our District President WELS News

FVL The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP)

offers families the opportunity to have their FVL tui-

tion fully funded. Applications are accepted until April

20. Only incoming 9th graders or students transfer-

ring from public school are eligible. Visit fvlhs.org for

details. Not eligible for WPCP? FVL’s Tuition Assis-

tance application is March 1 - May 4.

FVL All are invited to attend the FVL Choir Sacred Con-

cert on Sunday, April 8 at 6:00 p.m.

FVL is hiring a Maintenance Supervisor to start imme-

diately. The job description is posted at fvlhs.org.

Questions? Call Tyler Techlin at 920-560-5182.

Friends of the Laners Fish Fry Join us Friday, April 27,

2018 at Twin Fountains Banquet Hall, 4:30-8:00 p.m.