Fox Valley religion special events
Easter at Joy Community: From 10 a.m. to noon today, join in the telling of the Resurrection story in a fun-filled, egg-related way at Joy Community Presbyterian Church on Lakewood Road. After the Resurrection Story, a traditional Easter egg hunt will be held, rain or shine. Worship at 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Sunday. On Good Friday, a Carrying of the Cross Experience will be held at 6 p.m. followed by worship service at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday worship will be at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. For details, visit www.joycommunity.org or call (847) 515-8800.
Palm Sunday concert: The 13th annual Dundee and Elgin Area Organ Recital Series finishes Sunday. At 4 p.m., the Festival Palm Sunday Concert will be at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, routes 31 and 72 in West Dundee. The choirs, bell choirs and instrumentalists of the churches that participate in the recital series come together and present a joint concert to help prepare for Holy Week. The program includes talents of 100 singers from 16 area churches and two handbell choirs. It will be directed by the choir director of Bethel Lutheran Church in Rolling Meadows.
Last Supper in Elgin: On Maundy Thursday, members of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Elgin will reenact the scene of Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper at 7:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend this meaningful portrayal of the time shared in the Upper Room and experience the personal relationships of the disciples with Jesus. Written by Robert Westenberg, this dramatization portrays the moment after Christ announced he would be betrayed. This year's cast members in order of appearance are: Ryan Smith as John; Chuck Highley as James the Elder; John McEvilly as Simon the Zealot; Mike Diekman as James the Lesser; Dave Thompson as Thaddeus; John Berna as Judas; Mike Heinrich as Andrew; Chuck Smith as Phillip of Bethsada; Jeff Turner as Nathanael; Doug Volkening as Matthew; Dan Wayeshe as Thomas the Doubter; and Ken Volkening as Peter the Rock. Robert Kasper will be the narrator, and Adrienne Berna is the director. Everyone is invited to attend this poignant portrayal. St. Paul's Church is at 220 Division St. in Elgin. For information, call (847) 742-2854 or visit www.stpauluccelgin.org.
The Last Supper: On Maundy Thursday, join St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 220 Division St. in Elgin, for its annual presentation of "The Last Supper" at 7:30 p.m. A Tenebrae service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Good Friday. Easter Sunday worship will be a sunrise service at 7 a.m. followed by an Easter breakfast, then a family service at 9:30 a.m. For details, call the church office, (847) 742-2854.
Easter worship at St. Margaret Mary: St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 111 S. Hubbard St., Algonquin, will hold the following services for Easter. On Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord's Supper will be at 7:30 p.m. On Good Friday, the Service of the Lord's Passion will be at noon and 7:30 p.m. in English and 5:30 p.m. in Polish. On March 22, the Easter Vigil Mass in Polish will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Easter Vigil Mass in English at 8 p.m. On Easter Sunday, there will be the Easter Sunrise Mass in Polish at 5 a.m., Masses in English at 7, 9 and 11 a.m. and Mass in Polish at 1 p.m. For details, call the parish office at (847) 658-7625.
Easter celebration: Good Friday will be observed at Elgin Bible Church, 1580 E. Chicago St., at 6:30 p.m. through a service of music and scripture, with a message focusing on "It is Finished." On March 22, bring the family to a free Easter celebration. The fun will include an egg hunt, games, crafts, snacks, and a show by an award-winning puppet team that will focus on the true significance of Easter. Registration for prizes and activities begins at 12:30 a.m. All children must be registered to participate in the events. Easter Sunday will begin with a breakfast at 9:30 a.m., followed by a service of praise and worship to the risen Lord. For details, call (847) 888-1978.
Easter egg hunt: On March 22, Good Shepherd Lutheran School will hold its third annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Nesler Road and Route 20 Christian Life Center. At 8:30 a.m., a muffin breakfast will precede the 9 a.m. Easter egg hunt, rain or shine. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Cost is $2 per child and all proceeds benefit a Good Shepherd Lutheran School family with medical bills due to their child's ongoing illness. Good Shepherd will hold services at its 1111 Van St. location at 4 p.m. Maundy Thursday; 1 and 7:30 p.m. Good Friday; and Easter services at 5:30 p.m. March 22 and 8 a.m. March 23. Easter services at its Nesler Road and Route 20 Christian Life Center are at 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday, and 9:30 and 11 a.m. Easter Sunday with an Easter breakfast from 7:30 a.m. until noon to help support Good Shepherd's Mexico Mission Team. For details, visit www.goodshepherd-elgin.org, or call (847) 741-7788.
Easter at Epworth: On Easter Sunday, Epworth United Methodist Church in Elgin is celebrating God's ultimate victory at sunrise at 7 a.m., and at 8:30 and 11 a.m. This is the greatest time of year to connect with new people, short and long-time friends, and those who have been away. And every year at Epworth UMC, Easter brings Scout Troop 128's annual pancake and sausage breakfast. The Easter breakfast with free-will offering will be served to the public from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. For details, call (847) 931-5400 or at www.epworthumcelgin.org.