DuPage Co. religion notes

• To submit your listings including Holy Week services, e-mail M.J. Porter at mporter@dailyherald.com or fax items to (630) 955-0895. Mail should be sent to Daily Herald, 4300 W. Commerce Court, Lisle, IL 60532.

Today

• Congregation Beth Shalom's Third City Players will present the premiere of the comedy "Passover: The Musical" at 8 p.m. today and 3 p.m. Sunday at the temple, 772 W. fifth Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and $25 per family in advance; at the door, $15 for adults, $7 per child. For details, call (630) 961-1818.

• Trinity Lutheran Church's new Care Center will be dedicated beginning at 10:45 a.m. today at 575 S. Rush St., Roselle, and include an Easter egg hunt. Then those attending will parade to the new center at 233 E. Maple, Roselle. For details, call (630) 894-3263.

• Immanuel Lutheran Church's fifth annual community pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt will be today at the church, Third and Michigan streets, Elmhurst. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. and the egg hunt, for children in third grade and younger, will begin at 10 a.m. In case of inclement weather, all activities will move indoors. For details, call (630) 832-1649 or visit www.ilcelmhurst.org.

• Corpus Christi Parish will hold a St. Joseph's Day Table from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the church, 1315 Lies Road, Carol Stream. For details or donations, call Stella at (630) 690-0458.

• Calvary Church will continue its three-part sermon series, "Real Love," beginning at 5 p.m. today at the church, 9S200 Route 59, Naperville. The series will continue at 5 p.m. Saturday and 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays through March 23. The weekly focus will be relationship, redemption and resurrection. For details, call (630) 585-3272.

• Life Singers Ministries will present "The Witness" in DuPage County at these churches. Performances are free but a goodwill offering will be taken:

• 7:30 p.m. today at Living Christ Lutheran Church, 1402 Arlington Drive, Hanover Park (630) 837-2100

• 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4501 Main St., Downers Grove (630) 968-6231

Sunday

• Christ Church of Oak Brook will present "The Passion," a musical journey at 10 and 11:45 a.m. Sunday at the church, 31st Street and York Road, Oak Brook. For details, call (630) 654-1882.

• The Outreach House of Lombard and Villa Park will hold a vendor sale fundraiser from 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at First Church of Lombard, 220 Main St., Lombard. For details, call (630) 629-2630.

• First Presbyterian Church of Itasca will hold worship and a brunch beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, 207 E. Center St., Itasca. A freewill offering will be taken. For details, call (630) 773-9606.

• Grace Lutheran Church will present the Passion narrative at 10 a.m. Sunday at the church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn. A seder meal is at 6 p.m. with worship at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Good Friday will feature re-enactments of "The Last Days of Jesus' Life" at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Food Friday. The service Good Friday is at 7:30 p.m. and Easter services at 8 and 10 a.m. with a family brunch at 9 a.m. For details, call (630) 469-1555.

• St. Walter Parish will hold its St. Joseph's Day Table from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the center, 201 W. Maple, Roselle. Those attending may bring a meatless dish or dessert to share in a disposable container. The event is free, but donations will be accepted for the St. Vincent DePaul Society. For details, call (630) 894-2461.

• Gary United Methodist Church will hold Palm Sunday services at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton. A Taize service is at 7 p.m. with a labyrinth walk at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. For details, call (630) 668-8279.

• Winfield United Methodist Church will hold Palm Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. at 0S347 Jefferson St., Winfield. Maundy Thursday services are at 7 p.m. and Holy Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. For details, call (630) 668-8970.

• Dove award-winning Christian artist Mitch McVicker will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday at Lutheran Church of the Master, 580 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream. Admission is free, but an offering will be collected. Proceeds will be donated to DuPage Public Action to Deliver Shelter, a not-for-profit organization that provides overnight shelter and case management services to the homeless. For details, visit www.mitchmcvicker.com or www.lcotm.org.

• St. Matthew United Church of Christ will hold Palm Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. at the church, 1420 S. Gables Blvd., Wheaton. A seder meal is at 5 p.m. Monday. Maundy Thursday service is at 6 p.m. with a simple dinner and service at 7 p.m. On Good Friday, the church is open from noon to 3 p.m. The second annual Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 1-8 is at 10 a.m. March 22 The free event offers musical entertainment, refreshments and time with the Easter Bunny. For details, call (630) 202-2691.

• St. Peter the Apostle Parish will hold its St. Joseph's Table after the 11:15 a.m. Mass Sunday in the school hall, 500 N. Cherry St., Itasca. Proceeds will benefit needy families. For details, call Terry at (6300 285-1927.

• St. John United Church of Christ will hold Palm Sunday services at 10 a.m. at the church, 1190 Olesen Drive, Naperville. For details, call (630) 961-9942.

• Bethany Lutheran Church will present the St. Matthew Passion at 11:15 a.m. Sunday at the church, 1550 Modaff Road, Naperville. For details, call (630) 355-2198.

• St. Andrew United Methodist Church will hold Palm Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. at the church, 250 North Gary Ave., Carol Stream. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services are at 7:30 p.m. Easter is at 9:30 a.m. For details, call (630) 653-7116.

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will hold Palm Sunday and Easter services at 8, 9:30, 11 and 11:11 a.m. at the church, 1310 Shepherd Drive, Naperville. The church will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday with services at 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and an 8:30 p.m. service Good Friday. For details, call (6300 961-9220.

• Rekindling Hope in a Time of War, an interfaith prayer service calling for an end to the war in Iraq is at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 25 E. Benton St., Naperville. For details, call (630) 369-0777.

• Christ Church of Oak Brook will present a Lenten sermon series, "Crucified Christianity: How Do Jesus People Answer the New Atheism," at services at 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 and 7 p.m. Sundays through Lent at the church, 31st and York Road, Oak Brook. For details, visit the Web site at ww.cc-ob.org or call (630) 654-1882.

Tuesday

• First Presbyterian Church will feature speaker Justin Kron, Midwest director of Chosen People Ministries at 6:30 and 9 a.m. Tuesday through Friday at the church, 325 E. Downer Place, Aurora. For details, call (630) 844-0050.

Wednesday

• The Center will celebrate the spring equinox at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the center, 801 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. A freewill offering will be taken. For details or reservations, call (630) 837-7486.

• St. John United Church of Christ will hold a Senior Lunch Bunch at noon Wednesday at the church, 1190 Olesen Drive, Naperville. The fee is $2. For details, call (630) 961-9942.

Thursday

• St. Paul Lutheran Church will hold Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services at 7 p.m. and Easter services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. with breakfast at 9:45 a.m. at the church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. For details, visit the Web site at www.stpaulwheaton.org or call (630) 668-5953.

• York Center Church of the Brethren will hold a love feast and communion at 7 p.m. Thursday and Good Friday service at 7 p.m. at 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard. Easter includes breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. service. For details, call (630) 627-7411.

• Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church will hold Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services at 7 p.m. at the church, 331 George St., West Chicago. The Easter vigil is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday with Easter services at 6:30 and 9 a.m. For details, call (630) 231-1175.

• Winfield United Methodist Church will hold Maundy Thursday services at 7 p.m. at 0S347 Jefferson St., Winfield. Holy Saturday services are noon to 3 p.m.; Easter services at 7 a.m. with breakfast and worship at 10:30 a.m. For details, call (630) 668-8970.

• Grace Lutheran Church's confirmation students will present "The Last Days of Jesus Life" at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn. Good Friday services are at 7:30 p.m. Easter services are at 8 and 10 a.m. with a brunch at 9 a.m. For details, call (630) 469-1555.

• Southminster Presbyterian Church will hold Maundy Thursday beginning with a light soup supper at 6 and service at 7 p.m. Good Friday stations will be noon to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. An Easter story, party and egg hunt rain or shine is at 9:30 a.m. Saturday; the program is for children through fifth grade. Those attending may bring a basket to decorate or make one at the drop in event. Children must have an adult companion. Easter services will be worship at 9:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast at 10:30 a.m. For details, visit the Web site at www.southminsterpc.org or call (630) 469-9149.

• St. Paul Evangelical United Church of Christ will hold Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services at 7 p.m. at the church, 118 S. 1st St., Bloomingdale. Easter services will be at 8 and 10:30 a.m. For details, call (630) 980-9196.

• Congregation Etz Chaim will hold its Purim service at 7 p.m. Thursday at 1710 Highland Ave., Lombard. The Purim carnival will be March 23. For details, call (630) 627-3912.

• The Theosophical Society will hold a spring equinox ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday at 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton. Cost is $7 for members, $9 for others. For details, call (6300 668-1571, ext. 300.

• St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish will feature musician John Angotti at Masses at 7:30 p.m. Holy Thursday, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Good Friday, at 7:30 p.m. Holy Saturday and 9 and 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Easter at the church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. Baskets of food will be blessed at noon March 22. For details, call (630) 355-8980, ext. 111.

• St. John United Church of Christ will hold Maundy Thursday service at 7:30 p.m. and Easter service at 8 a.m. with breakfast at 9 a.m. The egg hunt is at 9:30 a.m. at the church, 1190 Olesen Drive, Naperville. For details, call (630) 961-9942.

• Community Presbyterian Church will present a choral cantata, "The Journey," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the church, 1111 E. Madison, Lombard. A presentation, "Messiah in the Passover," with Justin Kron and meal will begin at 6:30 p.m. Good Friday. Child care will be provided. Reservations are recommended by calling (630) 627-0306.

• Author Ed Gilbreath will discuss his book "Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical's Inside View of White Christianity" at noon Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 325 E. Downer Place Aurora. Books will be for sale. A musical drama, "Living Last Supper," will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 4 p.m. Friday with Spanish translation available. For details, call (630) 844-0050.

• Calvary Episcopal Church will hold Maundy Thursday service beginning with an agape supper at 6 p.m. at the Rectors Hall, 222 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Good Friday services are at 3 and 7 p.m.; Holy Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Easter at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Call (630) 879-3378.

• River Valley Community Church's Singles FOCUS, Fellowship of Christians United in Spirit, meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays beginning with a light meal at 6:30 p.m. at River Valley Community Church, 1655 Bowman Drive, Aurora. Church services are at 10 a.m. Sundays. For details, visit the Web site at www.rivervalleycommunity.org or call (630) 907-2992.

Friday

• Calvary Church will hold Good Friday services from noon to 1 p.m. at the church, 9S200 Route 59, Naperville. The Real Love series will continue at 5 p.m. Saturday and 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays through March 23. For details, call (630) 585-3272.

• Christ Church of Oak Brook will hold Good Friday services at 7:30 p.m. and Easter services at 8:15, 10 and 11:45 a.m. at the church, 31st Street and York Road, Oak Brook. For details, call (630) 654-1882.

• Gary United Methodist Church will hold Good Friday services at 7 p.m. at the church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton. Easter services are at 9 and 11 a.m. March 23. For details, call (630) 668-8279.

• Villa Park Covenant Church will hold a Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 17W620 Riordan Road, Villa Park. Easter breakfast at 9 a.m. March 23 will be followed by worship at 10:45 a.m. For details, call (630) 279-5249.

• Bloomingdale Church will hold Good Friday communion at 7 p.m. at the church, 264 Glen Ellyn Road, Bloomingdale. There also will be an open house and display of art work about Christ's passion from 6 to 7 and 8 to 9 p.m. Friday. An Egg Hunt for ages 12 and younger is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 22 at the Westlake Clubhouse, 299 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale. Easter services are at 8:30 and 11 a.m. For details, call (630) 894-0090.

• Grace Church of DuPage will hold Good Friday services at 7 p.m. at the church, 27W344 Galusha Ave., Warrenville. Easter service is at 10:30 a.m. For details, call (630) 393-7344.

• Trinity Lutheran Church will hold its annual prayer vigil for Easter beginning Good Friday and continuing until daylight Easter morning at the church, Curtis Avenue and Warrenville Road, Warrenville. Local government and safety officials will be named during the prayers. Requests for prayers may be written on the church's clipboard on the lawn. For details, call (630) 393-9104.

• Parkview Community Church will present Jerusalem Marketplace for children ages 4 years through fifth grade from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Good Friday at the church, 764 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn. The program includes songs, prayers and the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of Jerusalem in the last days before Jesus' crucifixion. The event is free. A Good Friday service for adults will take place at the same time. Childcare is available for ages infant to 3 years. For details, call (6300 469-4306.

• The Elmhurst Ministerium will hold two ecumenical Good Friday services in Elmhurst: at noon at First Congregational UCC, 235 S. Kenilworth, led by the Rev. Rick Mangnall and at 1:30 p.m. at Lexington Square, 400 W. Butterfield Road, led by the Rev. Dennis Beach. For details, call Mangnall at (630) 832-2580 or Beach at (630) 832-8457.

March 22

• Orchard Valley Community Church is planning to drop more than 20,000 Easter eggs at 4:15 p.m. March 22 from a helicopter onto the church property at 101 Barnes Road, Aurora. The event will end at 4:30 p.m. and is for children younger than 12 years. Each egg has a prize inside. Easter services will be at 3 and 5 p.m. March 22 and 9 and 10:45 a.m. March 23. For details, call (630) 897-8888.

• Science of Spirituality will feature its international spiritual leader Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj at 2:30 p.m. March 22 at the Wyndham Lisle Hotel, 3000 Warrenville Road, Lisle. His focus is spiritual elevation through meditation. For details, call (630) 955-1200.

• First Presbyterian Church of Itasca will hold an Easter egg hunt and breakfast at 10 a.m. March 22 at the church, 207 E. Center St., Itasca. A freewill offering will be taken. For details, call (630) 773-9606.

• Cornerstone Christian Church will hold a community Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. March 22 at the church 312 Geneva Road, Glen Ellyn. The event includes a Bunny Petting Zoo, three age-based egg hunts, crafts, cookie decorating and games. Those attending are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. For details, visit the Web site at www.cccge.com or call (630) 469-3536.

March 23

• Grace Lutheran Church will hold an Easter Egg Hunt after Easter service at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast at 8:30 a.m. March 23 at the church, 5 N. Princeton, Villa Park. For details, visit the Web site at www.gracevillapark.org or call (630) 832-0870.

• The DuPage Center of Religious Science will hold a service beginning at 9 a.m. March 23 at the center, 1200 Roosevelt Road, Suite 140, Glen Ellyn. For details, visit the Web site at www.dupagecenter.org or call (630) 495-6626.

• Water's Edge Bible Church will hold Easter services at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at 209 S. Oakwood Ave., West Chicago. Call (630) 231-1210.

March 27

• The Theosophical Society will hold a discussion of "Near Death Experiences" at 7 p.m. March 27 at 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton. Cost is $7 for members, $9 for others. For details, call (630) 668-1571, ext. 300.

• Christ the King's CCW will hold its annual St. Patrick's Day lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 27 at the Parish Life Center, 1501 S. Main St., Lombard. Irish singer Whitey O'Day will entertain. A $5 donation is requested. For details, call (630) 629-1717.

• St. Thomas Job Ministry will present "Using Conferences, Trade Shows and Industry Meeting in Your Job Search" at 7 p.m. March 27 at the church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. Call Jim Breen at (630) 355-8980.

• St. Paul Lutheran Church will present its Cinema at St. Paul with "To Catch a Thief" at 7 p.m. March 28 at the church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. The event is free. Pizza is available for $5 per person. Deadline to order pizza is March 27 by calling Kim Hansen at (630) 690-1725.

March 29

• St. Scholastica Parish's Council of Catholic Women will hold its annual Garage Sale of Hidden Treasures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29 at the school, 7720 Janes Ave., Woodridge. Tables are available for $15 per table, two tables for $25. To reserve a spot, call Natalie Meyers at (630) 985-9289.

• The Theosophical Society will present the workshop "Achieving Your Purpose" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29 at 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton. Cost is $50 for members, $65 for others. For details, call (630) 668-1571, ext. 300.

• St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will feature author Rodney Clapp discussing his book "Johnny Cash and the Great American Contradiction: Christianity and the Battle for the Soul of a Nation," at 7 p.m. March 29 at the church, 22W415 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn. He will sign copies. Call (6300 469-1394.

• Wayside Cross Ministries' Urban Youth Ministry will hold its annual Friendship Dinner at 6 p.m. March 29 at 60 S. Fourth St., Aurora. Speaker is Notre Dame football player Daniel Rudy Ruettiger. Tickets are $20 per person. Call Scot Thurman at (630) 723-3408.

March 30

• St. Paul Lutheran Church will hold Healing Services at 7:30, 8:30 and 11 a.m. March 30 at the church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. For details, visit the Web site at www.stpaulwheaton.org or call (630) 668-5953.

• St. Andrew United Methodist Church will present the Easter Cantata "In Christ Alone" at 9:30 a.m. March 30 at the church, 250 N. Gary Ave., Carol Stream. For details, call (630) 653-7116.

April 4

• Bloomingdale Church will celebrate its 30th anniversary April 4-6 at the church, 260 Glen Ellyn Road, Bloomingdale. Activities include Praise and Prayer at 6 p.m. April 5 with a social at 7 p.m. Services are at 8:30 and 11 a.m. April 6 with a free brunch and ministry booths open from noon to 12:45 p.m. Call (630) 894-0090.

April 6

• Grace Lutheran Church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn will receive a $30,000 grant from the Retirement Research Foundation through its Accessible Faith Grant Program. The grant will be used to make more handicapped-accessible renovations to the narthex and sanctuary. A groundbreaking is planned April 6. For details, call (630) 469-1555.

• St. Paul Lutheran Church will present the free Winking Luther Course II, Taking Our Questions Seriously…And Ourselves Lightly at 12:30 p.m. Sundays, April 6 to May 18 at the church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. For details, visit the Web site at www.stpaulwheaton.org or call (630) 668-5953.

• Elmhurst College will present its Holocaust Education Project from April 6-10 at the college, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Keynote speaker is Sara J. Bloomfield at 7 p.m. April 6. For details, visit the Web site at www.elmhurst.edu or call (6300 617-3033.

April 11

• St. Joseph Parish will hold its annual dinner dance and auction April 11 at Medinah Banquets, 550 Shriners Drive, Addison. Proceeds will benefit the academic and parish programs. For details, call (630) 279-4211.

• St. Paul Lutheran Church will hold new member classes from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, April 1-22, at the church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. For details, call (630) 668-5953.

• First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton will hold A Greater Gift sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11-12 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 13 at the church, 715 N. Carlton Ave. The program promotes social and economic growth for artisans and farmers in 35 countries. The event is cash or checks only. For details, visit the Web site at www.agreatergift.org or call (630) 448-5147.

April 13

• The Second Baptist Church of Wheaton will hold an ordination ceremony for two members who have completed training for the office of Deacon's Ministry at 4 p.m. April 13 at the church, 1520 Avery Ave., Wheaton. For details, call (630) 260-0190.

• St. Andrew United Methodist Church will celebrate Native American ministries with guest speaker the Rev. Michelle Lacock, a Native American descendant, at 9:30 a.m. April 13 at the church, 250 N. Gary Ave., Carol Stream. For details, call (630) 653-7116.

April 16

• St. Margaret Mary Parish offers a Morning Enrichment series at 11:15 a.m. April 16 at the church, Naper Boulevard and Green Trails Drive, Naperville. Topics are presented by professional speakers. For details, call (630) 369-0777.

April 20

• Congregation Etz Chaim will hold its Congregational Seder at 6 p.m. April 20 at 1710 S. Highland Ave., Lombard. The celebration is open to the community. For details, call (630) 627-3912.

Ongoing

• St. Irene Council of Catholic Women in Warrenville is seeking information to update its list of Women of the Year for the years of 1969, 1971-72, and 1988 to 1996. The information sought includes names of past presidents, photographs or past minutes to include in this year's celebration. The event will be held at 11 a.m. May 4. For details, call Deb Rossi at (630) 750-4285.