Agricola is Preparing for Easter

The week leading up to Easter allows us to live the story of Easter. We follow in the footsteps of Jesus during His last days on earth, and finish by celebrating His resurrection. Each station on the road is significant and the sequence follows the Bible story from 2000 years ago. At this point, preparations at Agricola are well under way as we anticipate this special time.

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode to Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. People spread clothes and palm tree branches on his path. We remember this day by decorating the church with palm tree leaves or other branches. Everyone at Agricola will receive a palm tree leaf, and palm tree leaves are brought into the sanctuary in a joyous parade.

In Finland, it is more difficult to get palm tree leaves, so churches are often decorated with willow branches that have pussywillows. To harken back to the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, decorated branches have been used in Finland to wish blessings to others. At Agricola, willow tree branches will be blessed at the beginning of the service, and decorated in Sunday School. Children will then use them to wish all manner ofblessings to others, and so follow this delightful old custom.

On Palm Sunday, there will be a Finnish service at 10:00 am and an English service at 11:30 am.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is celebrated to remember the Last Supper. On Maundy Thursday, the event in the Fellowship Hall at Agricola starts at 7:00 pm with the washing of hands. Each person washes the hands of the next person, and dries them in a clean towel.

One large table with a simple setting of a small bowl, plate and water glass for each guest will be set up. Assembled around a single large table, everyone will partake in a simple meal of soup and hard bread, which will be followed by Holy Communion. The Communion is shared, with each person serving their neighbour at the table. “The experience of everyone participating in receiving and giving communion is touching in its simplicity and in the way it unites everyone, and transports our thoughts to the Last Supper”, reminisces Hilkka Luus, an active member of the congregation.

After communion, the congregation proceeds to the sanctuary. The sanctuary is stripped of all decorations. “The members of the altar guild go to the altar and carry all objects from the altar to the sacristy. Stripping the altar to the basic wooden structure feels dramatic. A big black cloth is spread over the altar, the pulpit and lectern. Lights are extinguished. It is dark and quiet. Everything is black. Everyone leaves the sanctuary quietly, when they feel ready to do so. The experience is profound”, describes Hilkka Luus of her recollections from prior years.

The Maundy Thursday and Good Friday events are organized jointly with St Andrew’s Estonian congregation and the Swedish church.

Good Friday

On Good Friday, we remember the crucifixion of Jesus. The stations of the cross are set on the window ledges of the sanctuary as small altars. Everyone is welcome to stop by the altars for quiet meditation before or after the worship and Good Friday drama that start at 11:30 am.

The Good Friday drama “Were you there?” is presented by members of the congregation. You will hear the voices of Mary, Judas, Barabbas and others from the pews. They reply to the narrator and recount their memories of that dark day. Between their words, we will sing verses of “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”.

“The dramatization includes about 22 participants, but only reading skills, no acting skills are required. If you wish to take a role, please contact the Agricola office”, Hannele Väättänen, secretary for Agricola advises.

At the conclusion of the drama, a large cross is carried onto a black cloth laid on the steps of the altar.
Quietly, all present can go up to the cross and hammer in a large nail in confession of their sins and
sinfulness. The strikes of the hammer echo in the dark and quiet church clothed in black.

Easter

Easter is the culmination of the sequence that has taken place throughout Lent and the Holy Week. Now it is time to celebrate the resurrection and new life. Life has conquered death and light has broken darkness.

The darkness of the preceding days is lifted in a very concrete way, when members of the congregation bring tulips, lilies, daffodils to decorate the sanctuary and the cross lying on the steps of the altar. The altar is now white and gold, the sanctuary is not quiet, but filled with cheerful voices and music.

Although children have been able to participate throughout this time, the special moment that they have been waiting for has now arrived. A children’s Easter party follows the worship service, and will
include activities for all children. Children will hunt for Easter eggs and – maybe even catch a glimpse of the Easter bunny.

The Easter party is after the worship service which starts at 11:30 am. The Finnish service is at 10:00 am.

Members of Agricola invite you to walk the path to Easter with us, and to participate in celebrating the most important event in the church calendar.

Translation of text by Minna Temisevä

Photos: Aarne Ormio