Bethel United Church of Christ Extends Invitation to Holy Week Services

Holy Week at Bethel United Church of Christ in Elmhurst begins with worship on Palm Sunday, March 20, at 10:00 a.m. Music by the adult voice choir and the Bethel band along with distribution of palms by the children of Bethel will be part of worship.

On Thursday, March 24, a Maundy Thursday living Last Supper service with dramatic character readings, hymns, and the extinguishing of candles will begin at 6:30 p.m in Bethel’s Welcome Center. Communion, which is open to all, and a light meal of soup and the foods Jesus would likely have eaten will be served around communal tables. The Bethel adult voice choir will sing.

Holy Week observances continue on Friday, March 25, with open meditation in the sanctuary from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend Good Friday services at 7:30 p.m. to hear J. S. Bach’s ingenious work, The Musical Offering, which will be presented as part of a contemplative worship service led by Bethel’s senior minister, Rev. Gretchen Sylvester. Bach’s inspired composition will be interspersed with scripture readings and poetry that illuminate Christ’s passion. The service will conclude with the veiling of the cross and the tolling of bells as those attending leave the sanctuary in silence.

At 6:30 p.m., prior to the service, music scholar Dr. Ted Hatmaker, a member of the faculty at Northern Illinois University and pre-concert lecturer for the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, will present a talk about The Musical Offering. Bach's masterwork is rooted in the deep spirituality associated with the composer and provides a glimpse into the mind, heart and genius of the elder Bach. While he was visiting King Frederick the Great of Prussia, the King provided a musical theme, upon which Bach was able to spontaneously improvise a 3-voice Ricercar. When he returned home, Bach augmented this into a collection of numerous contrapuntal works -- complete with riddles -- and offered it to the musically-gifted monarch. The monumental 6-voice fugue has been called by musicologist Charles Rosen the most significant piano composition in history. Bethel is pleased to welcome Jennie Brown, flute, Elizabeth Brausa, violin, and Mira Luxion, cello, who will join Bethel’s Minister of Music, pianist Jeffrey Panko, in presenting The Musical Offering.

Easter Sunday, March 27, begins with an Easter coffee hour at 9:00 a.m. with a special visit from the Easter bunny and an Easter egg hunt at 9:30, followed by celebratory Easter worship at 10:00 a.m., with music by the adult voice choir and instrumentalists. Everyone is invited to bring a fresh flower to adorn the barren cross, a Bethel tradition. Rev. Sylvester and Associate Minister Rev. Sally Scheib will lead the service, with Rev Sylvester’s sermon entitled “While It Was Still Dark.”

Everyone is invite to attend any or all of the services and events at Bethel, located at 315 E. St. Charles Rd. in Elmhurst. Church facilities are fully accessible, and parking is available; enter from St. Charles Rd. or Huntington Lane off Poplar. Please call the church at 630-279-4040 for more information.