News of St. John's Lutheran Church
Holy Saturday
Have you ever heard of “Holy Saturday” before? It comes after Maundy Thursday, the day Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, and after Good Friday, the day Jesus is crucified. Yet, it comes before the Easter Vigil and Easter morning proclamation of the Good News of the risen Christ.
So what is Holy Saturday? Take yourself back to the original events. Jesus was just crucified and then buried. This man you had spent years following around was suddenly dead. Sure, Jesus occasionally mentioned that He would rise again, but that was confusing parables, right? So you’re left to wander aimlessly. A hole has taken place where Jesus was in your heart. Grief, sadness, loneliness, and many other emotions take hold. Death hurts, it is scary, something to be avoided, and it seems so final. This is Holy Saturday. It is the space in-between the death of Jesus and the coming Resurrection. It is a time filled with unknowns and painful emotions. Paradoxically, it is easy to get stuck in Holy Saturday, yet also to jump quickly to Easter, avoiding one’s feelings. Yet I see Holy Saturday to be necessary. It speaks to a reality in life we all have, are currently, or will face. The pain and sting of death. The deep emotions that the death of a loved one brings, and the abyss which is easy to get lost in. Holy Saturday is a very human experience. Yet, on the horizon is the sun, and with it comes the news proclaimed by women that the tomb is empty and Christ is risen. My friends, we have hope in the Resurrection of Jesus. God in Christ has “descended to the dead” and rose again. What makes Holy Saturday “Holy”? The promise and realization that you are not alone. That you are never alone. It is okay to feel and express emotions. There is no shame in grief or sadness. God suffers with you. God does not magically take away pain and sorrow but sits with you in your grief instead. This is what the Easter proclamation is all about. Holy Saturday, as difficult and painful as it can be, gives way to Resurrection Joy. It takes time, but there is always hope because God loves you. We know the end of the story. The grave cannot hold God! Alleluia, Christ has risen! In peace, Vicar Anthony 
Church Office Hours
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 3pm.
The church office is CLOSED on Fridays and this is also Vicar Anthony’s day off. In case of an emergency, you can reach Vicar Anthony at (414) 364-9504. |
Join us for worship on YouTube!
Simply click on the button above to go to our YouTube page. Once there, you can watch any of our worship services (just double-check the date).
Online Giving to St. John's
| ||
| 2023-2024_scholarship_app_wcover.pdf |
Help Yourself...
Our Quilting Ladies have replenished the walker bags in the Narthex with lots of new bags. If you know of someone who would enjoy a walker bag, or if you would like one, please feel free to help yourself.
The quilting group will meet on Tuesday, April 25th. You are invited to join them at 9am in the fellowship hall. You do not need to know how to quilt or sew to help create these beautiful quilts. All are welcome to join us for a morning of work and fellowship!
The quilting group will meet on Tuesday, April 25th. You are invited to join them at 9am in the fellowship hall. You do not need to know how to quilt or sew to help create these beautiful quilts. All are welcome to join us for a morning of work and fellowship!
Pastoral Care
If you find yourself in need of pastoral care or you or a family member are hospitalized, please contact the church office and we will put you in touch with Vicar Anthony Windau. Remember that because of privacy laws, the hospitals do not contact us when you or a family member are admitted.