Holy Week
Jesus Christ, he can only be one of two things. Either he’s a liar and a demon from hell, a blasphemer under God’s judgement, or the Lord of Life, calling you to trust him, receive His sacrifice on your behalf, take up your cross in love for your neighbor and follow Him.
NEW for 2023 and airing live on select radio stations or available via podcast starting April 3rd, are two half-hour specials hosted by Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler. This special programming for Holy week includes dramatic multi-voice readings of the account of the betrayal, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the 26th, 27th and 28th chapter of Matthew, one of the four ancient biographies of Jesus. Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler and Mark Eischer reflect on the unique features of Matthew’s account of history. Part 1 focuses on the events of Holy Thursday, part 2 the events of Good Friday and the resurrection. The specials invite the listener into the Passion of Jesus’ and prompts the listeners to consider the questions: Who is this Jesus? And why does He matter?
All must consider the significance of this man, the Christ, whose life was so extraordinary that is separate the entirety of time into B.C. (before Christ) and A.D (anno Domini). The specials invite the listener into the Passion of Jesus’ and prompts the listeners to consider the questions: Who is this Jesus? And why does He matter?
The specials feature new original musical arrangements of hymns by internationally known vocalist Erin Bode. These beautiful hymns allow the listener a time of introspection in the holiest season of Christianity.
The program is narrated by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler. It includes performances by the cast members: Christy Bond, Rev. Dr. Jason Broge, Jonathan Christopher, Mark Eischer, Dean Evans, Chris Macky, Megan Mehrle, Jeremy Knapp and John Spangler.
Check our broadcast guide beginning April 3rd for local airings during Easter week.
Play Promo:
Play Holy Week Special - Holy Thursday:
Play Holy Week Special - Good Friday:
Hosted by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler and Mark Eischer
Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler began as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour® in October 2018. He previously served as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church and assistant pastor at Timothy Lutheran Church, both in St. Louis. Before becoming a pastor, he served as an aircraft maintenance officer in the Air Force after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2001 with a general engineering degree. He left active duty in 2006 to prepare to be a pastor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis but continues to serve part-time as an Air Force Reserve officer at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Dr. Zeigler and his wife Amy have four children.
For nearly four decades, the familiar voice heard each week on The Lutheran Hour is that of Mark Eischer. From Dr. Oswald Hoffmann to Dr. Michael Zeigler, he has served alongside seven Lutheran Hour Speakers. As senior producer and announcer of the broadcast, he has faithfully stewarded the ministry’s flagship program. The Frankenmuth, Michigan, native resides in St. Louis with his wife Deborah. They have three children.
Music arranged and performed by Erin Bode
In the decade-plus since Erin Bode began her professional recording career, she has garnered much critical praise for her pure voice and impressive phrasing and style. It is this talent, coupled with her reluctance to accept classification as a purely jazz vocalist that has led to reviews hailing her as “someone you won’t forget.”
Erin Bode is from the Twin Cities, where her parents emphasized music in daily life and encouraged her to join the church choir. Her music studies continued at the University of Minnesota and at Webster University in St. Louis. Bode has released eight albums, gently walking the line between traditional Jazz and more pop-based compositions. Learn more at: www.erinbode.com.
Additional Credits:
Musical arrangements feature Marco Grillo on guitar and bass and were mixed by Chris Hobson.
Copyright Notice:
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.
