Today is Maundy Thursday, the day we commemorate the Last Supper.

The day takes its name from the Latin mandatum novum do vobis: “a new commandment I give to you.” This new commandment, given by Jesus when—during supper, he washed the disciples’ feet—was “to love one another just as I have loved you.” It is his example and thus our call to love and serve that we remember on Maundy Thursday.

As our Holy Week journey continues this holy day, we will gather for worship at 12:10 and 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Both services will include Communion. The noonday service will also include the option for footwashing.

The evening service, which will be both in person and livestreamed, will follow the ancient Office of Tenebrae (from the Latin for “shadows”). This service—one of the most meaningful of the year for many—portrays the progression from light to darkness in the passion of Jesus, beginning with his abandonment on Thursday and concluding with his crucifixion. The service ends with the Sanctuary in complete darkness.

Maundy Thursday | April 6

12:10 p.m. worship with Communion

and optional footwashing

Matt Helms preaching

in person only

Bulletin

7:30 p.m. Tenebrae with Communion

in person and livestreamed on YouTube: www.bit.ly/fpcvideos

Bulletin

On Good Friday, the most solemn day of the church year, we gather for two worship opportunities: a noonday service at 12:10 p.m., and an evening choral service at 7:30 p.m., both in the Sanctuary. The evening service will be both in person and livestreamed.

This year the choral service will feature a variety of works sung by the Morning Choir, including Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere. The evening will conclude with the tolling of the bells thirty-three times, once for each year of Jesus’ life on earth, followed by the extinguishing of the flickering Christ candle and our departure in silence.

Good Friday | April 7

12:10 p.m. worship

Lucy Forster-Smith preaching

in person only

Bulletin

5:30 p.m. program for children and families

in person only | in Buchanan Chapel

7:30 p.m. Choral Service

in person and livestreamed on YouTube: www.bit.ly/fpcvideos

Bulletin

Easter Vigil | April 8

7:00 p.m.

in person only

Bulletin

An ancient tradition of the church, the Saturday evening Easter vigil invites us into the story of salvation as we mark the conclusion of Lent and the dawning of Easter.

Beginning in the Michigan Avenue courtyard, we will process by candlelight into the darkened Sanctuary.

There, together with our friends from First Presbyterian Church, we will we hear readings from scripture that cover the story of salvation, from creation through redemption, and join together in sacred song. We will also reaffirm our baptism and celebrate Communion.

We hope you will join us this Sunday, as we gather in festive Easter celebration of the resurrection of the Lord!

Easter Sunrise Service

6:30 a.m. at Oak Street Beach

Rocky Supinger preaching

Bulletin

We’ll celebrate the dawning of a new day and of new life when we gather for the annual Easter Sunrise Service at Oak Street Beach.

Members of Tower Brass will be on hand to accompany our singing, and we’ll celebrate Communion as we worship together at sunrise on the lakeshore.

Easter Morning Worship

Shannon J. Kershner preaching

Bulletin

9:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

in person and livestreamed on our YouTube channel: www.bit.ly/fpcvideos

11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

in person only

From the stirring sounds of a Tower Brass prelude to the Morning Choir singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and the Andrew Pipe Organ sending us out into the world with Widor’s Toccata, our morning services will reverberate with the joyous good news that Jesus Christ is risen today!

See below for more “Notes about Easter Worship”

Children’s Easter Program

9:00 a.m. on Gratz Floor 4

As on every Sunday, children are invited to worship with their parents at any of the services. For those children age 3 and up who are looking for an alternative Easter experience, we invite them to join us at 9:00 a.m. Sunday for a fun Easter program in the Gratz Center.

Easter Jazz Service

4:00 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel

in person only

Rocky Supinger preaching

Bulletin

A favorite Easter service of many, our Easter Jazz Service brings together joy-filled music led by our jazz ensemble, scripture, prayer, and Communion, as our worship echoes with “Christ is risen!”

Notes about Easter Worship

The 9:00 a.m. Easter service will be livestreamed, with the prelude beginning around 8:45 a.m., and will be available to watch anytime later that morning or afterwards.

Livestreamed worship services are accessible by going to www.bit.ly/fpcvideos, subscribing to our YouTube channel, or clicking on the photo with a “Play” arrow on the home page of the Fourth Church website.

For those without Internet access, audio only is available by phone (toll free) by calling 888.916.9166

Entrance for the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Easter services will be only through the glass Loggia doors on Michigan Avenue, next to the courtyard. Seating will begin a half hour prior to each of those two services.

There will be no socially distanced seating at any of the Easter services. We invite those who prefer to practice social distancing to join us in worship outdoors for the sunrise service or online for the 9:00 a.m. service.

Nursery care will be available between 8:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Are you curious about the Center for Life and Learning? Why not check out these new classes beginning in April:

Zing-Along

A unique fusion of movement and singing to help you shake off the winter blues.

Tuesdays, April 11 – May 16

in person

Details

Writing from the Heart

A time for writers as well as writers in the making to release your inner critic and unblock your imagination.

Mondays, April 17 – May 22

in person

Details

Nia

Fitness that empowers people by connecting body, mind, and spirit through simple expressive movements

Fridays, April 14 – June 29

via Zoom

Details

These are just a few of the wide variety of CLL spring offerings planned for those who are sixty or over.

For more information, explore the CLL on our website or call the CLL office (312.981.3389 or 312.981.3391).

We have an invitation for anyone who enjoys singing!

The Fourth Church Choral Society will present a concert of coronation music written by Handel, Parry, and Vaughan Williams with singers from St. James Cathedral (65 E. Huron) on Sunday evening, May 21.

If you would like to join them, the first rehearsal will be next Thursday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.

For more information about singing with the Choral Society, contact John Sherer.