Easter, for many, conjures up images of spring outfits, sumptuous feats, brightly colored eggs, baskets brimming with candy and days at the beach. For Christians, however, Easter is a time of renewal of natural and human life and a time of spiritual regeneration. English-speaking churches in Guadalajara have planned special services for Easter, which falls on Sunday, March 31 the year.
St. Mark’s Anglican Church begins the holy season at noon on Palm Sunday, March 24, noon, with a bilingual Mass remembering the irony of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, followed by crowds shouting “Crucify him!” a few days later. Parishioners gather in the garden for the Liturgy of the Palms and process into the church singing the traditional hymn “All Glory, Laud and Honor.”
March 28, bilingual Maundy Thursday services begin at 6:30 p.m. and move into darkness, with the stripping of the altar, to remain bare until Easter.
March 29, Good Friday is commemorated at 5 p.m. with bilingual readings and communion.Easter Sunday, March 31, St. Mark’s celebrates with a solemn English Mass at 10:30 a.m. The 10-member choir with regular and invited singers directed by Debra Rodriguez will sing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” Mozart’s “Gloria” and Easter hymns such as “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands,” accompanied by Ana Silvia Guerrero on the organ.
An Easter egg hunt in the garden follows at 11:30. “Put on your Easter bonnet and bring your basket!” said Pastor James Priddy. All are invited. Mass in Spanish follows at 1 p.m.
St. Mark’s Anglican Church is a two-minute drive north of Plaza Mexico, on corner of Aztecas and Chichimecas in Colonia Monraz. End of bus route 33-A. (33) 3641-6620.
The Bugambilias area Christ the Redeemer Presbyterian Church will have Good Friday worship in Spanish at 7 p.m. March 29. The service will include the traditional sermon of Jesus’ last seven words spoken on the cross.
The congregation’s Easter Sunday English worship service March 31 will be at the normal time, 9:30 a.m. with seasonal, sacred music. The service will be followed by a special fellowship brunch at 11 a.m. before the Spanish service at noon. Everyone is welcome.
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 (an offshoot of Rey de Reyes Presbyterian Church) will share a meal followed by a special Good Friday worship service at 6:30 p.m., March 29.
Pastor Ray De Lange plans Easter Sunday services March 31 at 6 p.m., their usual time, with English Fellowship’s band (guitar, keyboard, drums and vocals) leading worshippers in contemporary, sacred music.
English Fellowship of Guadalajara is at Gabriel d’Annunzio 5184, 1 1/2 blocks NW of Patria and Vallarta. http://englishfellowshipgdl.org.
The English congregation at St. John Cristosomo Roman Catholic Church celebrates Easter at the regular 11 a.m. Sunday Mass, featuring the accomplished a cappella vocal group Cantabile, directed by Jesus Chavez, singing Easter music including Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” and Mozart’s “Gloria.” Cantabile sings every Sunday at the English Mass.