Editor’s note: Just in time for Easter, on Monday, April 9, 2017, in the city of Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre reopened the Edicule shrine, after its restoration. The Edicule, shown center at left, encases the ancient cave where, according to Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian beliefs, Jesus’ body was entombed and resurrected.
The annual ecumenical Community Cross Walk is Good Friday, April 14, beginning at 12:15 p.m. at Resthave Home, 408 Maple Avenue, Morrison, IL, and continues to Pleasant View Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, 500 N. Jackson Street.
April 2017 Holy Week Services are listed below for 16 Morrison, IL, churches. Know that each welcomes new and long-time residents–as well as visitors–to attend.
†Bethesda Lutheran Church, 301 W. South Street, in combination with Morrison United Methodist Church, will hold a Good Friday Tenebrae service on April 14 is at 7:00 p.m. Both churches’ choirs will perform. Early Service on Sunday, April 16, is at 7:00 a.m., with a second service at 9:00. Both will distribute Holy Communion, and the choir will perform. Between services, from 8:00 to 9:00, light refreshments will be available. Children in grades six and under will enjoy an Egg Hunt following the 9:00 service.
†Brethren in Christ Church, 209 E. Knox Street, will hold a Maundy Thursday, April 13, Foot Washing service at 6:00 p.m., followed by a free spaghetti meal. The public and congregants are invited to attend just the meal, if desired. On Sunday, April 16, “Sonrise” service is at 8:00 a.m., followed by a free community breakfast at 9:00. Resurrection service is at 10:00.
†Crossroads Community Church will offer a 10:00 a.m. service at MIT Auditorium, 701 Portland Avenue, on Sunday, April 16, with Water Baptisms. Kidzlink Children’s Ministry will be held during this service. For more information, contact the office of Crossroads Community Church at 815-956-0090.
†Ebenezer Reformed Church, 309 E. Park Street, invites the public to a Seder Supper, on Friday, April 7, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. “The Messiah in the Passover” presentation is a message of Israel’s freedom from slavery in Egypt and the redemption of individuals from the bondage of sin, through the atoning work of Jesus. The program gives a deeper understanding of Passover and the Communion Table. Reserve your spot by calling 815-772-2472. A free will donation will be taken. The church will hold a Palm Sunday, April 9, Parade service at 9:30 a.m. April 13, Maundy Thursday, services including Holy Communion begin at 6:00 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 16, begins with a Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., followed by the service at 9:30. Butterflies will be released outdoors at 10:30, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.
†Emmanuel Reformed Church, 202 E. Morris Street, will hold an April 9, 9:00 a.m., Palm Sunday service with Choir anthems, Praise Team, and Palm Processional. April 13, Maundy Thursday, services are at 7:00 p.m. with Holy Communion. On Easter Sunday, April 16, worship service is at 9:00 a.m. and includes music by the Praise Team and Choir.
†First Baptist Church, 406 Maple Avenue, celebrates Palm Sunday, April 9, with a procession. April 13, Maundy Thursday, service begins at 6:00 p.m. and includes Holy Communion. On Easter Sunday, April 16, children’s Sunday School will meet at 9:00; the worship service is at 10:00 a.m.
†First Presbyterian Church of Morrison, 100 E. Lincolnway, will hold an April 9, Palm Sunday service at 10:15 a.m.; April 13, Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m. with Holy Communion. There is a 7:00 p.m., April 13, Good Friday, service. The Easter Sunday, April 16, service is at 10:15 a.m.
†Morrison Christian Church, 201 S. Genesee Street, will hold Easter Sunday sunrise service, April 16, at 8:00 a.m. Following is a potluck breakfast (bring one dish); beverages are furnished.
†Morrison Christian Reformed Church, 300 W. South Street, will hold a April 9, Palm Sunday service at 8:45 a.m. April 13, Maundy Thursday, services will be at 7:00 p.m. and held at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, 1208 3rd Avenue, Fulton, IL. Easter Sunday, April 16, service is at 8:45, with coffee afterwards.
†Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway, will hold April 9, Palm Sunday services at 10:15 a.m. In combination with Bethesda Lutheran Church, the April 13, Maundy Thursday, symbolic Seder meal is available to the public at 6:00, followed by a meal of traditional cuisine. Holy Communion is offered at 7:00 p.m. There will be three Easter morning services on Sunday, April 16: 6:30 to 7:00 outside “Sonrise” Service (weather depending), with breakfast following; at 8:00; at 10:15 a.m. Sunday School is at 9:00.
†Open Bible Fellowship, 11429 Ward Road, hosts Jan Nel (long-time South Africa Pastor), who will teach and prophetically speak at 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, April 11, through Thursday, April 13. He has traveled extensively as an apostolic teacher, developing leaders and helping the Body of Christ function effectively. The Easter Sunday, April 16, service is at 10:00 a.m.
†Our Savior Lutheran Church LCMS, 21496 Hazel Road, will hold April 13, Maundy Thursday, service and Holy Communion at 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday service, April 16, is at 9:00 a.m., with coffee hour to follow.
†St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 401 N. Cherry Street, offers a 9:00 a.m. Palm Sunday service, where everyone processes. On Wednesday, April 12, there is evening prayer at 5:30 p.m. The April 13, Maundy Thursday, service is at 6:00 p.m., and includes Holy Eucharist (Rite I) with foot washing, Stripping of the Altar, and Watch at the Altar of Repose. The 6:00 p.m., April 14, Good Friday, service includes Holy Eucharist (Rite I) with Reserve Sacrament. Sunday, April 16, begins at 9:00 a.m. with lighting of the Pascal Candle and Holy Eucharist (Rite II.) Coffee hour follows.
†St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 13320 Garden Plain Road, will hold a Palm Sunday Vigil Mass on Saturday, April 8, at 5:30 p.m. and at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 9. April 13, Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper is at 6:30 p.m. Good Friday, April 14, Solemn Liturgical Service of the Passion is at 12:15 p.m. Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Mass, April 15, is at 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday Resurrection of the Lord Mass, April 16, is at 9:00 a.m. Holy Communion is offered at all masses.
†St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church LCMS, 601 N. Jackson Street, celebrates Palm Sunday, April 9, at 9:30 a.m,. with Sunday School children singing and processing with palms. The April 13, Maundy Thursday service begins at 7:00 p.m. and includes Holy Communion. Good Friday service is April 14 at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, April 16, the sunrise service is at 7:00 a.m., followed by breakfast from 8:00 to 9:15; there is also a 9:30 service. There will be no Sunday School, but an Egg Hunt takes place after the 9:30 service.
†Spring Valley Reformed Church, 10960 Spring Valley Road, offers an April 9, Palm Sunday celebration at 9:30 a.m., with children processing. April 13, Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service with Holy Communion begins at 6:30 p.m. The Easter Sunday, April 16, service is at 9:30 a.m. with coffee hour to follow.