LCIF Observes Holy Week

Lutheran Church in the Foothills (LCIF) invites the community to its April 2 Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. In the Lutheran tradition, Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ final celebration of Passover, or the Last Supper, with his disciples. 

The solemnity continues April 3 with a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

The week will culminate with the celebration of Easter on Sunday, April 5, marking the resurrection of Jesus and the triumph of life over death. Worship will be held at 10 a.m.; however, all are invited to arrive early and enjoy breakfast in the Fellowship Hall at 8:30 a.m. Families with young children can enjoy an Easter egg hunt, as well as a “bunny cuddle corner.” Worship will be led by Pastor Viv Vega. The service will include music under the direction of Mark Anzelon, as well as Holy Communion. Holy Communion at LCIF is open to all with an open heart. 

For more information about all activities at LCIF, please visit the church’s website: lcifoothills.org. Those who need pastoral care can email office@lcifoothills.org or call (818) 790-1951. 

The church is located at 1700 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Holy Week Services at La Crescenta Presbyterian

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church has a full calendar of worship services to celebrate Easter, all open to the community:

On Maundy Thursday, April 2, a simple meal of soup, bread and oranges will be served at 5:30 p.m. in Koopmans Hall, followed by a worship service including communion at 7 p.m. in the LCPC sanctuary.

On Good Friday, April 3, there will be a moving worship service focusing on the power and meaning of the cross beginning at 7 p.m. in the LCPC sanctuary.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, LCPC will offer two opportunities to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The 9 a.m. service will feature contemporary worship led by our praise band. The 11 a.m. traditional service will feature the choir, organist and pianist.

All Easter events and services will take place on the La Crescenta Presbyterian campus at 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta. For more information, visit lcpc.net or call (818) 249-6137.

Holy Week and Easter Celebrations at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church 

Today, Thursda,y begins the “The Three Days,” or the Triduum, which is one worship service in three parts over three days. The first service begins with:

Tonight, Maundy Thursday on April 2 at 7:30 p.m. – Triduum Part I. The word maundy means mandate or commandment. It refers to the love commandant of Jesus Christ. Consequently, Maundy Thursday centers on three significant things: First, the church hears Jesus’ commandment to love one another as he loves us. Second, the meal of eternal deliverance is held, taking place at the Holy Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples on the night in which He was betrayed. Third, at the end of the service, the lights are dimmed and the altar is stripped bare while Psalm 22 is read, foreshadowing the commemoration of the crucifixion of our Lord on Good Friday.

Good Friday on April 3, at 7:30 p.m. – Triduum Part II. This day is the second part of the liturgy of The Three Days, which extends from Maundy Thursday through the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, Easter Eve. As the church gathers to remember the suffering and death of Jesus on this day, the altar is dressed in black linens, and the congregation focuses on the significance of the sacrificial love that Jesus showed us upon the cross of Calvary.

Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. – Triduum Part III. On the night before Easter morning, Christians around the world gather to celebrate Christ’s passage from darkness to light, from death to life. This special service includes strong signs: a “new fire” burning in a fire pit outside the church, the Christ candle lit from the new fire, hand-held candles lit from the Christ candle, the word of the baptismal covenant and the very first Eucharistic (Communion) meal of Eastertime. As the altar linen is changed from the darkness of Good Friday to the white and gold of heavenly light, Christians are the first to exclaim, “Alleluia!! Christ is risen!!”

Easter Sunday on April 5 at 9 a.m. – All are invited for this joyous worship service where the congregation continues to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and savior from the grave where we continue to proclaim, “He is risen – He is risen indeed!” There will be special music from the Clarion Choir and Praise Band as well as an Easter breakfast and egg hunt after the service! 

Wednesday April 8 will be the monthly community luncheon at 12 noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is $10 and this month’s entertainment is from The Sugar in the Gourd Band. 

Please come and join in for some good fun and food! 

Mt. Olive is located at 3561 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta. For more information, call the office at (818) 248-4253 or visit MOLC.org.

CSL Offers Gentle Movement Class

The Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta is offering a gentle stretch and relax chair movement with Michelle Gillette. It takes place every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. The cost is a $10 donation.

The class is at Chaffee Hall in the Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta.

The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 4845 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta. For more information, call (818) 249-1045.

Walk and Word 

Walk and Word participants will meet in the parking lot of Deukmejian Wilderness Park, 3429 Markridge Road in La Crescenta/Glendale at 8 a.m. on April 12, 19 & 26. Participants will walk for the first hour and then gather to read a selection of Scripture. About a half hour will be spent journaling about what was read and then there will be conversation, sharing thoughts.

Participants are asked to bring something to write with, anything wanted to eat or drink, and a chair to use for the writing part of the morning. Because people will be outdoors and social distancing will be practiced, masks will be optional. 

Those with questions can email Jeanne at jnlavieri@earthlink.net. 

All are welcome. If the hike is too strenuous, there are level paths at the park. There are ramps from the parking lot to the field where the group gathers after the hike.