In case you missed it… Holy Week at Martin Luther Church Toronto

We reflected, mourned, and rejoiced in the Easter story. Events during this important week are recapped below. A big thank you to all who took these photos, and to our Tech Team (Peter Schweiger and Andy Boettcher) for recording the videos!

This year we ran a Holy Week FOOD DRIVE to support the neighbours and friends in our community. We received many non-perishable food items for our 24/7 food pantry, the Bowls & Blessings team, and Wesley Mimico United Church Food Bank. Thank you to all who donated!

 

April 13, 2025 PALM SUNDAY – 11:00 a.m. Bilingual English-German Service with Pastor Nkanyiso Kingdom Maphumulo. Thank you to Annette R. for decorating the altar with beautiful palm fronds!

April 17, 2025 MAUNDY THURSDAY – 7:00 p.m. Dinner Church with Vicar Alice Rothgordt. We prayed, sang, and reflected on the Last Supper. Thank you to all who brought delicious food and desserts!

Apr 18, 2025 GOOD FRIDAY – 9:30 a.m. ENGLISH full traditional worship service with Holy Communion + 11:00 a.m. GERMAN Service with Holy Communion, both featuring our Church Choir and presided over Vicar Alice Rothgordt. Thank you to speakers Jocelyn Sommerfeld and Helmut Herrmann who co-read the sermon in the English and German services, respectively.

 

Photo Gallery Good Friday

The Church Choir, directed by Linda Marcinkus, performed for both the English Service at 9:30 a.m. and the German Service at 11:00 a.m. with a medley of hymns “Pie Jesu Domine”, “Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe”, “Herzliebster Jesu, was hast Du verbrochen”, “Zum Agnus Dei (from Deutsche Messe, Fr. Schubert), “Adoramus Te, Christe (from Seven Last Words of Christ, Theodore Dubois)”, “God So Loved the World”, “We adore you, O Christ”, and “Ah, Holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended”. (13.01 minutes)

You can find the lyrics to the hymns in our YouTube channel’s description section.

April 20, 2025 – 6:00 a.m. EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE in English at Humber Bay Park West (Etobicoke Point, 2225 Lake Shore Blvd West) with Vicar Alice Rothgordt. 52 people gathered on this beautiful morning to sing and pray together while watching the sun come up. Thank you Iris Schweiger and Chris Brittain for providing musical accompaniment, and to Vicar Alice Rothgordt and laypreacher Katja Brittain for facilitating a remembrance of baptism where everyone received a cross painted on their hand with rose water.

Photo Gallery Easter Sunrise

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

 

April 20, 2025 – 7:30 a.m. EASTER SUNDAY BREAKFAST in the church basement. After a short prayer by Vicar Alice, approximately 30 people enjoyed a hearty breakfast of pancakes, maple syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, toast, assorted fruits, yogurt, and easter bread/hot cross buns! A big thank you to all who prepared food and drinks, as well as those who helped set up and clean up!

 

April 20, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. Bilingual EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE with Vicar Alice Rothgordt, featuring our church choir. We enjoyed singing and praying together, and participating in a fun activity decorating Easter cards. Many thanks to Annette R. for her spectacular decoration of the altar! We also enjoyed a short reception in the foyer after the service and welcomed a visit from Pastor Annika Klappert, Tim, and baby Elisabeth-Marisol!

Photo Gallery 10 a.m. Easter

Photo Gallery 10 a.m. Easter

 

The entire 10 a.m. Easter service was recorded – please see the video below (29.22 minutes).

Opening/ Words of Welcome
First Reading: Jesaja 65,17-19a24-25
Alleluia (Church Choir)
Gospel Reading: Luke 24:1-12
Sermon: Vicar Alice Rothgordt

As part of the Easter Sunday Bilingual Service, the Church Choir, directed by Linda Marcinkus, performed a medley of hymns “Alleluia”, “He is risen! Alleluia, Christ is risen!”, “Der Herr is auferstanden! Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden!”, “Alleluia! Lasst und singen denn die Freudenzeit ist da”, “Cantate Domino; Sing ein frohes Lied”, and “Amen, alleluia, auf immer und ewig”. (5.17 minutes)

You can find the lyrics to the hymns in our YouTube channel’s description section.