Our Holy Week Journey to the Cross

       
Our Holy Week journey, which began with a joyous Palm Sunday procession, has turned its focus to the cross. We recall, in the days of this week we call holy, Jesus’ passion, from his Last Supper on Maundy Thursday to his lonely desolation and betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane to his crucifixion on Good Friday. Join us as we gather in prayer and reflection in these solemn days.

Good Friday Services | April 18
12:10 p.m. | Judith Watt preaching
3:00 p.m. | Prayer Walk with the Near North Ministry Alliance
        (beginning at the southwest corner of Division and Orleans)
4:00 p.m. | Children’s Service in Buchanan Chapel
7:30 p.m. | Choral Service: Theodore Dubois’s Seven Last Words of Christ

With Children in Mind: Good Friday and Easter Services

       
We have two special opportunities planned for children this weekend!
        On Good Friday, April 18, families are invited to join us for a Good Friday service—designed with children in mind—at 4:00 pm in Buchanan Chapel. After a brief time of worship, families will create their own Good Friday experience, exploring eight stations throughout the chapel—stations for storybooks, prayer, and crafts (planting seeds, decorating hot cross buns, making Bermuda kites, and more!).
        Then on Easter morning at 9:30 a.m., we’ve got a great children’s service planned, complete with opportunities to meet biblical characters, make crafts—and at the end of our time together, hunt for eggs on the fifth floor of the Gratz Center!

From Darkness into Light: The Great Easter Vigil

       
Have you joined us for the deeply moving experience of the Easter Vigil?
        If not, please consider being with us for it this year: Saturday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m. This special service, an ancient tradition of the church, invites us into the story of salvation as we mark the conclusion of Lent and the dawning of Easter.
        We will begin by kindling a fire in the Garth and processing by candlelight into the darkened Sanctuary. As Easter draws near and the light of the sanctuary increases, we will hear readings from scripture that cover the entire story of salvation, from creation through redemption, and join together in sacred song. The evening will culminate in a reaffirmation of our baptismal vows and the celebration of the Lord's Supper.
        Your heart, mind, and body will be engaged by this experiential celebration of the new life we are given in Christ. Please join us on Holy Saturday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m.!

“Raise Your Joys and Triumphs High” This Easter!

       
Be with us this Easter Sunday as we raise our voices in joyful alleluias!
      At 6:30 a.m. we’ll gather for the dawning of Easter as we hold our Easter Sunrise Service at Oak Street Beach. The service, which includes Communion, will be led by Hardy Kim, with members of Tower Brass accompanying our singing.
       Easter services in the Sanctuary will be held at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m. Tower Brass will provide music leadership, and Joyce Shin will preach. Please remember that seating on Easter Sunday—particularly for the 9:30 and 11:30 services—fills quickly and early. Lines for those services will form on Chestnut and Delaware, with entrance only through the main Sanctuary doors on Michigan Avenue. (Handicap access is available through the Loggia.)
       For those who will be unable to be with us on Easter, we will be live streaming the 11:30 a.m. service. On Easter morning at 11:30, you will be able to find that service here.
       The Children’s Easter Service will take place at 9:30 a.m. on the fourth floor of the Gratz Center. Children can be dropped off as early as 8:30 a.m. (using the Gratz Center doors on Delaware and Chestnut) so that parents wishing to worship in the Sanctuary at 9:30 can exit through those same doors and join the lines for entrance to the Sanctuary.
       The festive Easter Jazz Service with Communion. will again be held at 4:00 p.m., with Adam Fronzcek preaching and the Lucy Smith Jazz Quartet providing the music.
       We hope you will be with us for one or more of these joyous Easter Day services as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and the promise of new life!

Shannon Kershner’s First Sunday in Our Pulpit: May 18!

       
Be sure to mark Sunday, May 18 on your calendar! It will be a truly historic day, as we not only celebrate the centennial of our Sanctuary, but also welcome our new Pastor, Shannon Kershner, to the Fourth Church pulpit.
        Come join us for what will be a festive day of looking back with gratitude, sharing the excitement of the present, and embracing, with great hope, the future!

The banner photograph depicts the Buchanan Chapel cross against the copper chancel wall.