Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click on “more” for details about this week’s Church School classes.
Worship Services
Palm Sunday Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Awakening. As we observe Palm Sunday, Pastor Heather will preach from Luke 19:28–40, and eco-palms will be distributed.
Palm Sunday Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Heather will preach from Luke 19:28–40, and her sermon will be titled “Faith + Community.” Eco-palms will be distributed, and we also will ordain and install our incoming class of deacons and elders.
If you’re out of town and/or unable to join us for worship, follow us on Facebook and stream our service.
Stations of the Cross Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm
Join the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan for a special Stations of the Cross Taizé service during Holy Week. During this moving service, worshipers will be invited to walk through the final hours in the life of Jesus, as we walk from the Chapel to the Garth, Narthex, Sanctuary, Trinity Chapel, and back to the Chapel. This touching reflection on our own brokenness is an embodied prayer service, which will include readings, Taizé songs, silence, and ritual.
If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.
Maundy Thursday | Thursday, 7 pm
The Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach from John 13:31–38, and his sermon will be titled “Absence & Presence.” Communion will be celebrated as we recall Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples.
Good Friday | Friday, 12 pm
Pastor Heather will lead our 12 pm service, in the Chapel. The service will include hearing again the Seven Last Words spoken by Jesus Christ on the cross.
Good Friday | Friday, 7 pm
Pastor Patrice will lead our 7 pm service in the Sanctuary. It will feature Lenten hymns, and readings of both the seven “I Am” statements made by Christ, as well as a compilation of seven “I Am Not” statements made by Christ’s adversaries as recorded in John 18 and 19.
Easter Vigil | Saturday, 7 pm
This historic service begins on the Penn Ave. steps and then moves by procession into the Narthex and Sanctuary, culminating in the celebration of the first Holy Communion of the Easter season. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan and the Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will lead this processing vigil.
Easter Sunday Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 Am
Our Easter Sunday Journey worship service will be held in the Social Hall, with the Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy preaching. Communion will be celebrated.
Easter Sunday Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am
Our Easter Sunday Sanctuary Worship service will be preceded by special music beginning at 10:45 am. Pastor Randy will preach from Matthew 28:1–10, and his sermon will be titled “A Certain Victory.” Communion will be celebrated..
Christian Education Classes
We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 am. Click the links for adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.
Contemporaries | McKelvy Room
Bullying: The Roles of Bystanders
In our March class, we defined bullying and its many forms. What are bystanders often thinking and where do you fit in? How can you effectively interrupt an incident and advocate for a person being bullied? What are your options if stepping in seems unwise? JoAnn and Carol Chonoska will lead us.
Journey With Scripture | Second Floor Library
“We must obey God rather than any human authority.”
—Acts 5:29
Join us as we ponder Christ’s death and resurrection in different ways. To confess “Jesus is Lord” presupposes Caesar isn’t. To confess “Christ is Risen” presupposes a bodily resurrection. These are deep political confessions—they contend with human authorities who lay claim over the body. Such confessions are also deeply personal—they contend with the authority of oneself over one’s own body. Both initiate justice and judgment.
Join us for this week’s readings: Isaiah 50:4–9a; Psalm 31:9–16; Philippians 2:5–11; and Luke 22:14–23:56.
Seekers | Garth Overlook Room
The Religious Factor in U.S. Foreign Policy Part 3 of 3
ELPC member Ron Stone will continue our series examining the role religion plays in foreign policy. This week, we’ll examine “Presbyterian Church Foreign Policy and President Trump.”
- Presbyterian Church Foreign Policy: The rejection of nuclear weapons, the support for humanitarian intervention, and risk taking for peacemaking
- The criticism of nationalism and the abandonment of international organizations for peace, trade, and alleviation of climate change
Soul Food | Good Samaritan Room (G12)
The Cry of the Earth
We will discuss selections from Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth, led by Michele Bossers, Pam Napier-Barnes, and Judy Roberts