San Juan Crisóstomo Roman Catholic
At St. John Chrysostom (San Juan Crisóstomo) Catholic church, the English-speaking group celebrates Palm Sunday at the same time as its normal Mass, at 11 a.m., accompanied by a five-member musical group, but with the longer-than-usual passion narrative.
On Easter Sunday, the 11 a.m. Mass will have a seasonal touch, with special music selected for the occasion by soprano Amelie Guerra and organist-baritone-director Felipe Valdivia. Mass is always said by Father Miguel Sención, fluent in English.
For details, call Fr. Sención at (cell) 33-1749-1003. The church is near Sears in the Grand Plaza shopping center at Vallarta and Lazaro Cardenas.
St. Mark’s Anglican
St. Mark’s Episcopal/Anglican church will celebrate Palm Sunday, March 20, with a bilingual service at noon. There will be special choir music (Bach’s “O sacred head sore wounded,” Isaac Watts’ beloved “When I survey the wondrous cross”), a procession through the garden and dramatic reading of events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.
A Maundy Thursday (March 24) service at 6 p.m. is set, with music by the choir – including the Afro-American spiritual “Were you there?” – and the final stripping of the altar. On Good Friday a Spanish service begins at noon.
Easter Sunday bursts forth in English at St. Mark’s on March 27, at the regular time, 10:30 a.m., with Dr. Jim Priddy preaching on the galvanizing accounts of Jesus’ resurrection and the ten-member choir singing the musical highlight of the year — Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” — with the acclaimed Ana Silvia Guerrero on organ.
After Mass, children will hunt in the garden for 30 eggs, beautifully decorated by choir director Debbie Matthew. Next up are the Easter bonnet contest and tasty refreshments, both spearheaded by Sue Priddy. (Spanish Mass will be held a bit later than usual, at 12:30 p.m.)
Chichimecas 836, corner of Aztecas, a two-minute drive north of Plaza Mexico, in Colonia Monraz. (33) 3641-6620 or (cell) 33-1432-3497.
Christ the Redeemer Presbyterian
Christ the Redeemer church holds its Palm Sunday service in English at 9:30 a.m., their normal time.
Then, on Good Friday, 7 p.m., the congregation holds its beloved remembrance of the seven sayings of Christ from the cross. “This is a highlight of the year,” says Pastor Larry Trotter, “Very solemn and moving, but it is all in Spanish.”
On Easter Sunday, a continental breakfast is at 9:30 a.m., followed at 10 a.m. by a bilingual service of celebration featuring music in English and Spanish. Everyone is welcome to both the breakfast and worship, Trotter says.
Callejon del Iris 45 off Cto. De Las Flores N., Colonia Bugambilias on the south edge of the metro area. (33) 3684-5448.
English Fellowship of Guadalajara
English Fellowship of Guadalajara holds its normal Sunday worship at 6 p.m. at Gabriel d’Annunzio 5184, Zapopan, 1 1/2 blocks northwest of Patria and Vallarta behind Dalton Toyota. This church is an offshoot of the nearby Rey de Reyes Presbyterian church. See www.efgdl.org for details.