March 26, 2026

Coffee and treats between services are always appreciated! Click the graphic above to sign up.👆

If you are able to help, please sign up using the graphic above. Training will be provided! Contact Amy Steenson with any questions.

The Message this Week

Preaching Text: John 12:12-19, 19:16-22


How did we get here? The readings this week will give us whiplash as we move from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the cross. But then again, that is how holy weeks happen, isn't it? We rarely get a warning that our (mostly) manageable life is about to change.  Holy weeks have much to teach us about trusting God in the midst of challenge and change. Let's explore together this weekend.

Mighty God, help us to trust You in the middle of challenge and change. To see in the example of Jesus what it looks like to respond to the worst the world can give with grace and love. In Jesus' name, Amen

WONDERING...

Look back at these posts from previous years about Holy Week and how to calculate the days between Good Friday and Easter!!

Holy Week begins this weekend with Palm Sunday.

Maundy Thursday, April 2 at 7PM

Good Friday, April 3 at 7PM

Easter Vigil, April 4 at 8PM

Easter Sunday services at 8, 9:30, & 11AM

No Nursery or Sunday School on Easter


Click HERE for worship materials and livestream links.

• The week ahead will not be easy, but we will stay with you until the bitter end. Accompany us as we descend into the days to come.
• Join our acclamations with all of nature in glorifying its maker.
• Show us and all our leaders what true leadership looks like, even when the right action is not the popular one.
• Attend to all who are sick and suffering in body, mind, or spirit, especially Mark Meier, brother of Chris Meier.
• Strengthen us all to continue this work, until we find eternal rest in you.

Into your hands we place our prayers, spoken and unspoken, and entrust all things to your eternal care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Results from last week:

Pistachio Salad aka Watergate Salad

We have raised just over $1.2 Million in the Making Space Campaign. Our build team (Mike Slifka, Craig Elliott, Nanette Anderson, Amy Steenson and Pastor Trudy- two architects, a builder and two church folk) have been working with JNKA (our design build company) to bring the project in line with our budget. We are close! Your gifts to Making Space now can help with our planning and discernment. One significant item that is outstanding is whether we will be able to use an existing heating/AC unit. This will be determined by mid-April, so keep watching your enews for more information and thank you for your generous support of Making Space and the GLC budget! Click HERE to give to the Making Space Campaign.

Come be part of a monthly gathering where women grow together in faith. Each session includes a scripture-based devotion, meaningful small group conversation, and a hands-on activity to help you live out of your faith. Our next meeting is Thursday, March 26 from 6:30-8PM. Click HERE to register or contact Michelle Lata for more information.

We will be preparing and serving dinner for 60-80 people at Holy Trinity Soup Kettle in Elgin on Sunday, March 29. We will prepare the meal between services that morning (Palm Sunday). Volunteers are needed to bake the casseroles at GLC, deliver to Holy Trinity, and serve the meal at Holy Trinity. Click HERE to sign up for ingredients needed and to serve. Contact Michelle Lata for more information.

DATE CHANGE! The GLC Widow's Group will be meeting next Tuesday, March 31 at 10AM in the Chapel and will be working on a project for Sunday School. Contact Dotty Johnson for more information.

The sanctuary will be open for Silent Prayer on Tuesday afternoons from 2PM to 3PM. Please feel invited to come at any time during that hour, to stay as long you like, and to pray in silence. No format or leadership will be offered. Hymnals, Bibles, and devotionals are available if you care to use them. All that is asked is that no words be spoken aloud in the sanctuary. We will maintain this schedule until mid-May when reconstruction begins.

On Good Friday, April 3 we are welcoming kids ages 3+ to experience a simple Last Supper, walk through the "Garden of Gethsemane", and reflect on Good Friday with a hands-on craft. Adults can drop kids off in Fellowship Hall at 6:45PM and enjoy some time of quiet reflection in the Sanctuary before Good Friday worship at 7PM. Kids can be picked up in Fellowship Hall after the service. Contact Michelle Lata with any questions.

We invite you to join new members in preparing a meal for Lazarus House on Sunday, April 12 after the 9AM service in Fellowship Hall kitchen. Click HERE to sign up for ingredients. Conact Lisa Kanzler for more information.

The equinox’s arrival

Confirms that it is time

For growth and renewal

To find our life song’s rhyme. 

God has a plan for each of us

The path not always straight

He said we will have troubles

As we journey towards our fate. 

He sends SMs to help us

We don’t have to walk alone 

Consider PT’s offer 

And, please, pick up the phone.

A Stephen Ministry Poem

by Dotty Johnson

Contact Pastor Trudy for more information.

Fellow Friends in Christ, Thank you for the generous gift of soup and dessert delivered to me. And the wonderful bag decorated by our youth. It was a blessing to receive those gifts and I thank you. Sincerely, Karen Swanson

Dear Friends, Thank you for the delicious soup and dessert. Thank you for the chic, artistic bag it arrived in! Thank you for your generosity! I felt the great love and caring that accompanied this most precious and caring gift. It's such a blessing to be part of the GLC family. Bless you! Love, Dotty

Thanks to all who prepared and delivered the delicious soup and desserts. Norm has especially enjoyed the desserts! And a special shout out to Julie for delivering and spending time with us in conversation. We appreciate your generosity and kindness. - Carolyn Loboda

Click HERE to see pictures of the last week!

To see all weekly and special events please check our calendar.