McHenry Co. religion special events
Easter at Joy Community: Joy Community Presbyterian Church has a lot going on for the Easter season, starting with an Easter egg hunt and Resurrection Stations today. The church, now in its 12th year, just celebrated its one-year anniversary in their new building. From 10 a.m. to noon today, join in the telling of the Resurrection story in a fun-filled, egg-related way. Children, young and old, will enjoy this memorable event. 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. The church is on Lakewood Road, off Algonquin Road.
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.
Annual spring concert: On Palm Sunday, First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake will host its annual spring concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. To accommodate the growing number of concert-goers, the Jubilate Adult Handbell Choir is featured in their own concert with an expanded repertoire. Under the direction of FCC Bellmaster Toni Gambini, the choir will be performing pieces including "Capriccio," composed by K. McChesney; "Prayer" composed by Jeanne C. Warzyn; and "Soaring Praise," composed by Anna Laura Page. The latter features pulsing four-hand piano accompaniment by Eva Wedel and Barb Thorsen. A set of three pieces by composer Judy Phillips titled "Rhapsody," "Reverie" and "Roundelay" also will be performed. Cynara Pierzina will be featured on flute in a comforting and encouraging arrangement by C. Moklebust titled "It is Well with My Soul." The concert will conclude with "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" and "It's Toon Time," both arranged by D. Wagner. Join them after the concert for FCC's annual Creole Dinner supporting the Pilgrim Fellowship High School Youth Group. All are welcome. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit FCCCrystalLake.org.
Holy Week at Bethany: Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake, offers services for Holy Week and Easter. Palm Sunday will include 7:45, 9 and 10:45 a.m. services with Holy Communion and the Procession with Palms. Child care available at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Maundy Thursday services at the 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. will include Holy Communion. Child care available at 7:30 p.m. On Good Friday, the Tenebrae service will be at 7:30 p.m. Child care will be available. The Easter Vigil, March 22 begins at 7:30 p.m. with the Service of Candlelight, vigil readings, baptism and Holy Communion. Easter Sunday worship will be at 7, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. with Holy Communion. The Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra will share the message. Festival worship at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. will include choral and instrumental music and liturgical dance to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior. Child care is available at during both 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Continental breakfast will be served from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Luther Hall. For details, call (815) 459-2690.
Holy Week at Barrington UMC: This Easter, take in Holy Week with new understanding, following Jesus, and thanking God for His joyous resurrection at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59) in Barrington. On Palm Sunday, sing and shout "Hosanna!" at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services. Soloist Rosalyn Wesley will sing at both services, and at 10:30 a.m. the Chancel Choir will perform, directed by Karen Maxwell with organist Jeffrey Neufeld. The Cherub Choir will sing, directed by Kimberly Albrecht and Stephanie Preucil, accompanied by Sydney Whitley and there will be Divine Movement with Barbara Finn. On Maundy Thursday, imagine Christ's Last Supper with a symbolic Seder at the 7:30 p.m. service. On Good Friday, children will learn about Easter through story, music and crafts from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Open Holy Communion will be served from noon to 3 p.m. Feel the anguish of Jesus' suffering and death at the 7:30 p.m. Tenebrae service. On Easter Sunday, rejoice in the new life we are called to through Jesus Christ, at the 6:30 a.m. Sunrise and 8, 9:30, and 11 a.m. services led by the pastors, the Rev. James M. Wilson and the Rev. Cynthia Anderson. The musical Celebration of Resurrection will be led by the Chancel Choir, and special music with soloist Kimberly Albrecht and instrumentalists. Child care is available on Sunday mornings. For details, call (847) 836-5540 or visit www.BarringtonUMC.com.
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.
Living Last Supper: The Living Last Supper is a live re-enactment of the last night that Jesus spent with his disciples before his crucifixion. During the celebration of the Passover, Jesus established the very first Holy Communion, as originally depicted by one of history's greatest artists, Leonardo Da Vinci, in his famous painting, "The Last Supper." The Living Last Supper is an emotional and visually stunning presentation. The performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 5 p.m. March 22 at Cary-Grove Evangelical Free Church, 525 W. Ada St., Cary. Tickets are free and available by calling the church office at (847) 639-7566. Visit www.cgefc.org.
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 fun, free Easter celebration. The fun will include an egg hunt, games, crafts, snacks, and a show by an award-winning puppet team which 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.
Living Last Supper: As part of the Good Friday service, a dramatic/musical presentation of "The Living Last Supper," composed by Ruth Elaine Schram, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Christian Fellowship Church, 3419 Walkup Road in Crystal Lake. This powerful drama focuses on the inner thoughts of Jesus and the 12 disciples around the Passover meal. The setting dramatizes the last supper as depicted in the famous Da Vinci painting. It will be directed by Terry Edwards and feature vocalist Tania Smith, both of Crystal Lake. Smith has sung with numerous worship teams including Kansas City's House of Prayer and Willow Creek Church. Holy Communion also will be celebrated during the service. Child care is available by reservation only. E-mail ckcarr2003@sbcglobal.net or cfcladmin@sbcglobal.net. Call the church office at (815) 459-9473 for childcare or details on the service.
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. There is a $2 cost 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.
Egg hunt and coloring: The Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St., invites the community to an Easter egg hunt and egg coloring from 9 to 11 a.m. March 22. There also will be games and snacks will be provided. Bring your friends and neighbors of all ages. For details, call the church at (847) 658-5308.
The Lynches perform Easter Sunday: On Easter Sunday, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Lake in the Hills welcomes Mac and Beth Lynch for a sacred concert at 11 a.m. Refreshments will be served prior to the concert at 10:45 a.m. The public is invited to attend. They are graduates of Bob Jones University. After their marriage in 1982, they traveled extensively with The Wilds Evangelistic Team until 1988 when they joined the full-time music staff at the campsite. Mac is currently the music director of the Wilds. The Lynches have traveled to hundreds of local churches ministering through their sacred music. They produce and publish choral arrangements and recordings. Their desire is to see the Lord Jesus Christ exalted through Christ-honoring music and to be a blessing and encouragement to believers in the local church. Easter worship will be at 9:30 a.m. followed by the concert at 11 a.m. at the church's meeting location at Marlowe Middle School, 9625 Haligus Road, Lake in the Hills. For details, call (877) 989-8300 or visit www. cornerstonehuntley.org.
Resurrection Sunday: Celebrate resurrection life with Morning Star Church on Resurrection Sunday, March 23 at 10 a.m. He has risen; now the congregation rises in worship to the King of Kings during this worship event for the entire family. Morning Star is at 41W350 Powers Road, just north of the I-90 Route 47 exit in Huntley. For details, call at (847) 669-9800 or visit www.morningstarwoc.org/events.htm.
Easter at Epworth: Easter is a holy and joyous time to celebrate with family and friends over chocolates and colored eggs. It is also the time to truly celebrate the "mother of all victories." No longer does death define life -- rather life is ruler over death. 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.
Interfaith conversation: How do you experience God or the sacred in daily life? How do you understand this experience and/or this concept? What practices or disciplines do you find helpful? An informal group of Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Christians and practitioners of other faith traditions gather on the fourth Thursday evening of each month to address common concerns from their differing faith perspectives. These conversations are free and the public is welcomed. The next interfaith conversation will be held March 27 in the chapel of the Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 Route 22 in Barrington. The topic will be "How do we experience 'God' or the sacred in daily life?" They are especially interested in sharing from your specific religious and spiritual traditions, relating how they shape your experience, understanding and practice. Participants will gather at 6 p.m. for informal fellowship and a meal together. The conversation follows from 7 to 8 p.m. Although the event is free, confirm your attendance with the Rev. Fred Rajan at frederick.rajan@advocatehealth.com, or call (847) 381-4182.
Parenting workshop: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Elgin will host a parenting workshop series open to the community from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays, beginning April 7, and 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning April 9 at 195 Nesler Road. This six-week DVD series, titled "Parenting Families: From Me to We," is based on the Me to We parenting concept originated by David Ludwig, a Christian psychologist and author. It is produced by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Each weekly video segment features three significant parts: a presentation of the main concept by Ludwig; insights from Monique Nunes, a principal, early childhood educator and mother, who takes the concept and applies it to real-life situations; and Ben Gonzales, a real-life pastor and dad, shares his view of life from the trenches. There will be time to talk with other parents about issues that are affecting your family right now. You will begin to see an immediate difference in your family once you adopt this effective concept at home. Register for the workshop series by March 28 at (847) 695-4745, or e-mail at alesh@goodshepherd-elgin. org. Cost is $15 per couple and childcare is available.