Dear friends, 

The story of Holy Week is the core of our faith, our life, our hope.

Below is your complete guide to stepping into the mysteries of Holy Week.

Online Folks: We’re also including below some specific tips for you. Before Holy Week begins, we recommend setting apart an intentional holy space in your home — clear off a side or coffee table, or find a quiet corner where you will worship online. 

No matter how you’re able to participate, I want you to know how grateful I am to spend this most holy season with a people who radiate holiness in your compassion, your hard work, your curiosity, your humor, your wisdom, and your commitment to practicing the faith of Jesus.

A blessed Holy Week and Easter to you all!
Pastor Dan

This Sunday, March 29

We march with palms and songs (and bagpipes!), remembering Jesus’  triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as we also look to the betrayals ahead.

9:30am at St. Gregory’s

We’ll start the service in Founder’s Hall. For those who do not want to (or who are unable to) process outdoors, you’ll be able to head from Founder’s Hall straight into the sanctuary. A reminder that we will not have Spiritual Growth after the service. 

Tips for Those Online:

  • Get Some Greenery: you can hold this up to be blessed when we bless the palms, and you can it hold during the procession. It can be fresh, dried, or silk. Maybe cut something from your yard, or get some greens from the grocery store or florist. Or cut it out of paper!

  • Process! You’ll be able to watch our procession on Zoom, but you can also create your own procession at home. Take your greens around your living room, or you can take a walk around your backyard (or the block!) before or after the service. Go ahead, let the neighbors think you’re crazy.

Link to online worship (same as Sunday)

Bulletin will be available here.

Thursday, April 2

We share a nourishing supper as we remember Jesus’ final night and his commandment to love and to serve one another.

6:30pm at St. Gregory’s
Please RSVP if you are coming in-person. A reminder that if you signed up to bring food items for the meal, please bring them to the church kitchen on Palm Sunday!

Tips for Those Online:
Prepare Your Supper: This service begins with sharing a real supper. Make plans to have your dinner ready at 6:30 so you can eat at the same time as the onsite folks.

Get Washing Supplies: Get a large bowl and a towel, and put water in the bowl. Use this to wash your hands or feet when we come to that part. Share this act with others in your household. 

Link to online worship (same as Sunday)

Bulletin will be available here.

Friday, April 3

We walk with Jesus.
His pain mirrors our pain.
The Cross of Death becomes the Tree of Life.

12:00pm at St. Lawrence, Libertyville
125 W Church Street

7:00pm at Trinity, Highland Park
425 Laurel Avenue

Tips for Those Online:

  • Get a Cross: Bring this into your holy space when we bring the wooden cross into the church. If you have a cross of special significance to you, be sure to use that. You can also make a cross from any materials.

  • Gather Photos: This service centers on praying for the needs of the whole world in an ancient form called The Solemn Collects. Gather photos of your loved ones or other symbols of the people you want to pray for. 

Link to 12 noon Online Worship at St. Lawrence

Link to 7:00pm Online Worship at Trinity

Saturday, April 4

Immersed in deep darkness, 
we light a blazing new fire.

Immersed in God’s story, 
we encounter our own lives.

Immersed in Baptismal waters, 
we are raised to eternal life.

7:00pm at St. Lawrence, Libertyville
125 W Church Street

Tips for Those Online:

  • Get a Candle: At the start of this service, we light the New Fire and light the Paschal Candle. Get a candle — new, if possible! — and some matches. After the Paschal Candle is lit, light your own candle to symbolize the Light of Christ.

  • Get Ready to Party: Have some nice food and a beverage ready to enjoy at the end of the service. If you’ve given up something for Lent, this is the time to enjoy it again!

St. Lawrence is not able to stream their Vigil service online this year, so the 7:00pm service will not be available on Zoom. As an alternate, we recommend St. James Cathedral’s online worship, which starts at 8:00pm.

Sunday, April 5 at 9:30am

Stunning music.
Flowers everywhere.
A morning to be lifted up to new hope and new life.
What more need we say?

9:30am at St. Gregory’s

Followed by: 

  • Easter Egg Hunt for Children!

  • Fun Games for Youth!

  • Delicious refreshments (pastries, OJ, mimosas) for Adults!

Online Tip:

  • Get Some Water: We will renew our Baptismal Covenant at the beginning of this service. You can sprinkle yourself with water when Dan sprinkles the congregation. Even better — splash someone else.

  • Get Ready to Party: Have some nice food and a beverage ready to enjoy at the end of the service. If you’ve given up something for Lent, this is the time to enjoy it again!

Link to online worship (same as Sunday)

Bulletin will be available here.