The Week Called “Holy”
The week before Easter Sunday immerses Christians in the events that preceded the execution of Jesus on a Roman cross. All four Gospels report that after 2–3 years of teaching and healing as an itinerant rabbi, Jesus intentionally traveled from Galilee down to Jerusalem to attend the spring Jewish Passover celebration. As they traveled south, he repeatedly warned the disciples that he would die, despite their hope that he would become a victorious messiah and savior, rout their Roman occupiers, and reestablish the Davidic dynasty. Holy Week recalls the sober dynamics between Jesus and his disciples and followers, the religious leaders and the Roman authorities, and the people of Jerusalem who both welcomed and rejected him.
Palm Sunday, which was celebrated on the last Sunday of March this year, traditionally commences Holy Week. The service reenacted Jesus’ approach and entry into Jerusalem through the eastern gate. He and the disciples were among thousands of pilgrims welcomed by residents waving palm branches. The service closed in a serious mood reflecting the Gospel accounts of the religious authorities’ concerns that Jesus’ followers would instigate an uprising.
Holy Wednesday commemorates the tender story of the woman who showed up at a private home and anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. Although she was criticized by the disciples, Jesus explained that she was preparing his body for burial, and that she would always be remembered for her generous act.
Maundy Thursday recalls the last Passover supper Jesus had with his disciples and the anxious night he spent in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, waiting to be arrested. A service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, April 2, which will include a simple communion service of the Lord’s Supper followed by scripture readings and the gradual extinguishing of candles and sanctuary lights.
Good Friday recalls the trials of Jesus, his rejection by the Jerusalem crowds and their choice to save a zealot named Barabbas, and his last words while dying on the cross.
Easter Sunday is a joyous worship celebration with hymns and Gospel readings describing the discovery of an empty tomb by women attempting to wash and anoint Jesus’ body. Easter at LPC features inspiring hymns and music and the chancel awash in Easter lilies and white parament hangings. Because Easter falls on the first Sunday of April, we will celebrate a festive Holy Communion as we remember the evening meal at Emmaus where the Risen Christ made himself known to two dejected disciples fleeing Jerusalem after the Passover.
A Message from the Pastor
by the Rev. Dr. James Butler
During Lent, the processional cross behind the communion table is draped in purple. It’s a reminder of the royal purple “kingly” cloth Jesus’ executioners threw over his shoulders as they laughed and taunted him. As the Maundy Thursday service comes to its solemn end, the cross is re-draped in black. It’s a bone-chilling annual reminder that Jesus died a brutal death. It was unfair and unjust. I have come to realize that when it comes to Holy Week, most mainline Christians prefer to turn their heads and look away. Everyone appreciates the joy and drama of Palm Sunday and all those children waving palms, and then we show up a week later with a sanctuary full of lilies and live bodies as if the “in between week” never happened, ever. But it is part of the story, and without it, the story makes no sense. There have always been different theories that try to explain “why” it happened. I don’t think any one of them is perfectly adequate. But for me, when the cross is draped in black it confirms in my heart and head that evil is real and the world isn’t always fair. But then, we come back on Easter morning, and the crosses and the Lord’s Table are covered in white. This is our shout in a sometimes scary world that God’s resurrection power will see us through, in life and in death, and in life beyond life.
The Music Corner with Dr. Kaori Hongo
As the Easter season starts this month, I am so grateful for the many blessings we have been given so far this year. One of the biggest blessings I continue to feel in the community of LPC is the extraordinary ability to reach out to others and welcome them into the church family. On March 3 this display of hospitality was seen when we welcomed the Kenyon College Chamber Singers into our space. Starting with multiple bakers creating yummy cookies and treats, Jim and Carole Cox prepared an amazing dinner (taco bar) for the students! We also had amazing host families and individuals who paid for hotel rooms for all the students after their concert: Jim Brewer, James Butler, Brian & Bette Case, Cindy & Terry Dugan, Laurie Gubanyar, Priscilla Hardin, Cynthia Holzheimer, Nancy & Rian Hvizdos, Kira Marjanovic & Jen Grimmer, Lori Marjanovic, Jo Naretto, Sue & Jeff Ritter, Amy & Joe Roman, Tedd Roos, Gail Smith and Carol Wilson. I heard multiple students commenting how comfortable they felt with their host families and how they enjoyed singing in our space. Music has the power to bring hearts together. The Kenyon College Chamber Singers shared with us, the listener, the art of music, which took us all on many different journeys. We joined them in happiness, sorrow, humor and anger to name only a few of the emotions that each piece represented. We were all connected through the power of music. Thank you to the young college students who worked many hours with their director Dr. Benjamin Locke to perform in our beautiful sanctuary, and thank you to Laurie Gubanyar who coordinated the host families and the many unseen details of this amazing event!
SAVE THE DATE!
Zara Smith, our soprano Choral Scholar, is having her Graduate Recital on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The performance will be in Mixon Hall at Cleveland Institute of Music.
Weeks Music Service
April 26th will be our Weeks Music Service! This year we will experience a very uplifting musical and spiritual service. The Chancel Choir will be singing Bob Chilcott’s (b.1955) A Little Jazz Mass. This is a beautiful and energetic setting of the Latin Missa brevis. “Missa brevis” is a Latin term which means “short mass.” This can mean that the composition is either shorter in performance length or that it does not include the whole Mass Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Ite missa est), or that it is simply incomplete. Composers such as Mozart, Palestrina and Benjamin Britten have all composed a Missa brevis. The Chancel Choir will be accompanied by Jim Brewer (bass), Adonai Henderson (piano) and Robert Hosier (drums).
This annual musical service is made possible through an endowment given to Lakewood Presbyterian Church by Kent and Karen Weeks in loving memory of his parents, Senator John and Helen Weeks, and his brother, Gardner Weeks.
The Gethsemane Window
We can only wonder what the artist Douglas Phillips had in his mind when he created our stained-glass windows. This will take some close reflection as we look deeply into them. What are some of the symbols in his art, and what do you think they are meant to tell us?
For example, in the Gethsemane Window the artist caught the pensiveness of people in prayer. The faces and tightly grasped hands reveal the strain of praying for acceptance of the will of God. We cannot imagine the agony of Christ as he faced an end he knew was coming. The artist tried to depict this in the hands and faces of the characters. His story is about courage and faith, which is the window’s lesson to us.
Basically, the color of this window is green, the symbol of life, of hope, of immortality. This is meant to bring us comfort during our own struggles, and those of the world.
–Kathryn Hack
Library Committee
Youth Faith Formation Updates
YOUTH RETREAT: HOCKING HILLS
LPC Youth are going on retreat! Each year, our youth travel together in one of three ways to grow and deepen their faith. This year, we head back to the heart of Hocking Hills, Ohio from July 5–9. We will strengthen friendships and our faith through daily devotionals and evening campfire vespers based on the year’s theme. We will also play fun games, soak in the hot tub, and hike to amazing caves and waterfalls. Once all LPC Youth have registered, we may open up the trip to friends. (Those eligible to attend will be entering 6-12th grades in the fall of 2026.)
LPC Youth will stay in a cabin with beds and bedding for up to 12 youth. There will be designated boy and girl sleeping areas and bathrooms with adjacent chaperone rooms. We will spend four nights. Official pricing will be determined in April after all fundraising has finished. We estimate a $200 fee for those who are able to pay and a $50 deposit to save your space; financial assistance will be made available. Please let Aliyah Kennedy know as soon as possible if your youth will participate. This is always a meaningful trip for the youth, and we hope to allow all to attend if they are able. If you would like to sponsor one of our youth or make a donation, checks can be marked with a notation of Youth Retreat and turned into the office or placed in the offering plate. Thank you for your generosity and support of our youth.
YOUTH SUNDAY
The youth will take over the sanctuary and lead worship on Sunday, April 19. Each year, we let the youth choose the hymns, write the sermon, and play their music. This service is a wonderful way for the congregation to see what is on the hearts of our youth, as they thoughtfully consider the scriptures. Please support them as they share their faith during this meaningful service. There will be a collection for their summer trip after the service.
PROJECT NOELLE BASKETS
Thank you to all who donated baskets, candy, and toys for our Project Noelle Easter baskets this year. With your help, we were able to give 28 baskets to children who have suffered because of the opioid epidemic. Our Kids’ Club (K-6th grade) carried the donations to the youth room and organized all of the supplies. It was a big job for three little girls, but they had fun helping to make the perfect basket for another child. The youth finished assembling and making sure each basket was special. Thank you again for your support and generosity.
Hand in Hand Returns in April
Hand in Hand will resume its meetings on Friday, April 10 at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Sheryl Buckley giving a talk on “Growth at the End of Life.” Sheryl has invited the group to meet at Concord Reserve at 2154 Dover Center Road in Westlake. Complimentary lunch will be provided after the talk. Reservations will be needed, and directions will be provided. Contact Peg Limkemann by April 7.
Put Your Faith into Action
In 2023 more than 47 million people in the U.S. experienced food insecurity, including one in ten children. That is a reflection of this country’s priorities and policies. We can change that by supporting Bread for the World, a Christian advocacy organization urging U.S. decision makers to do all they can to pursue a world without hunger. One way to support this effort is by writing a letter to your members of Congress. Mission, Outreach and Justice can help you do just that. Available in the narthex from April 19 through the month of May will be sample letters, tips on writing an effective letter, and fact sheets about federal nutrition programs. Please consider writing a letter so that we can “Speak out for those who cannot speak.” Proverbs 31:8
Have You Considered “Paying Your Portion”?
Are you aware that there is a price on your Presbyterian “head?” It’s true! The expenses of operating our Presbyterian denomination (Presbytery, Synod and the General Assembly) will cost every congregation in our Presbytery $40.00 per “head” (each member). The $40.00 is distributed as follows: $25.34 to our Presbytery, $11.26 to General Assembly and $3.40 to our Synod.
Per capita is one way nearly 9,000 congregations and governing bodies of the PCUSA are connected. It helps church members to participate in the work of the wider church. It is the responsible way of sharing costs that equitably belong to the whole Presbyterian community.
Please consider paying your per capita in addition to your pledge amount. Simply note “per capita” on your check or pew envelope. Thank you for considering this request.