[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Holy Week is here!

As promised, this week we will be posting every day with resources, opportunities and reflections to help you celebrate and prepare for Easter.

Last year was the first time I ever really celebrated Easter by participating in Holy Week and I am incredibly glad that I did! It was a transforming time in my faith that truly exploded the depth of Easter for me in new and wonderful ways. The goal is not to become really, really busy this week – instead, we encourage you to align yourself with the historic beauty that is Holy Week in whatever way draws you closest to Christ and causes you to throw yourself upon Him once more this Easter.

So May you journey with Christ this week, be it in your quiet times, your conversations, your prayer life or your available time. Unfortunately The Practice will not be meeting this week or on Easter Sunday, but don’t let that stop you from exploring and experiencing Holy Week!

Willow Creek is hosting an incredible Easter weekend that we encourage you all to attend and experience this Good Friday and Easter weekend. We have also been scavenging around the Barrington suburbs area for other services and events you might be interested in attending as part of your worship this week and have provided a few recommended services and events in the tabs below.

However you choose to worship and celebrate – remember that Easter is the heart of our entire faith. The entire season of Lent has been building to this glorious moment of Resurrection – may every heart prepare Christ room this week and may you celebrate – He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Hosanna in the Highest!

Jenna and The Practice Team

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Stations of the Cross is a procession service with participants moving from “station” to “station” where actions of Jesus last day are identified with scripted dialogue and prayers. Taize songs which carry participants between stations at the evening service.

What if you woke up one morning knowing that it was your last day on earth? That’s what happened to the thief on the cross, who died a few feet from Jesus. Heaven, How I Got Here by Colin S. Smith is the thief’s story, told from his perspective, as he looks back from Heaven on the day that changed his eternity and the faith that can change yours. The Orchard is partnering with actor Stephen Baldwin, who will play the role of the thief in these one-man performances. Tickets are $10

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For those of you who enjoy classical sacred music – As part of their full calendar of Holy Week celebrations, Kings College in Cambridge are hosting a live concert of Rossini’s Stabat Mater. Whilst it is unlikely that any of us will be in England to attend in person at 7:30pm UK time- BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting the concert live and you can listen online at 1:30pm (CDT)  here.

I found most helpful this translation of the text that the concert will cover.

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In this service,  join Jesus’ disciples at the Last Supper, partaking in the events that took place the night before Jesus was crucified. Follow Christ’s words and actions as you wash one other’s feet and remember him through Communion.

Worship includes Holy Communion, the Rite of Footwashing, and stripping of the altar.

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From the crucifixion to the resurrection, the Easter holiday encompasses the full dichotomy of the human story. Experience a journey from lost to found, from brokenness to wholeness, from darkness to light at Willow’s Good Friday and Easter services.

In this ancient devotional service, walk with Christ through that last hours of his life, reflecting on his sufferings, death, and burial through music and prayer. The 1pm stations will include choral music.

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  • Easter Service, 1:30pm / 4:00pm / 7:00pm @ Willow Creek, Barrington IL

From the crucifixion to the resurrection, the Easter holiday encompasses the full dichotomy of the human story. Experience a journey from lost to found, from brokenness to wholeness, from darkness to light at Willow’s Good Friday and Easter services.

  • Easter Vigil, 12 noon / 3:00pm @ Church of the Resurrection, Wheaton IL

This service is a festival of art, music, and story, taking the viewers on a dramatic, creative, poignant, and sometimes hilarious journey through the stories of the Old Testament that point to Christ. Please visit churchrez.org/holyweek to reserve your free seats. Childcare for five and under available during the service.

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From the crucifixion to the resurrection, the Easter holiday encompasses the full dichotomy of the human story. Experience a journey from lost to found, from brokenness to wholeness, from darkness to light at Willow’s Good Friday and Easter services.

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