PASSION PLAY | South Holland

Seton Academy's Drama Department presents "The Vigil," a modern day passion play that captures the experience of Easter, at 7:30 p.m. March 15 at the school, 16100 Seton Drive. Admission is $5, group rates are available.

FYI: Call (708) 333-6300, ext 412.

LENTEN SERVICES | Hebron

Holy Week services at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 805 S. County Line Road, begin with a Palm Sunday service including Holy Communion at 9:45 a.m. March 16. A Maundy Thursday service, marking the day Christ celebrated his last supper with his disciples and instituted Holy Communion, is at 7 p.m. March 20 and will include Holy Communion. Good Friday service, marking the most somber day of the church year, will be at 7 p.m. March 21. The most festive day of the church year follows on Easter Sunday, March 23, when St. Michael will celebrate Christ's resurrection with a sunrise service at 7 a.m. and a festive service at 9:45 a.m. Both will include special music and Holy Communion. The church's senior youth will provide a brief skit for the opening of the sunrise service. All are invited to also enjoy a hot Easter breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in the church's fellowship hall, sponsored by the senior high youth. A freewill offering will be accepted for future youth trips. The youth will also

sponsor an Easter egg hunt for children up to sixth grade, in the church's education wing during the breakfast hour.

FYI: Call (219) 996-7681.

EASTER CANTATA | Hobart

An Easter Cantata will be presented at 11 a.m. March 16 at Hobart Presbyterian Church, 60 N. Washington St. Admission is free.

FYI: Call Choir Director Joyce Leonard at (219) 942-5702.

EASTER CANTATA | Hanna

"Because He Lives" is an Easter Cantata that will be presented at 2 p.m. March 16 at Hanna United Methodist Church, 101 W. Hopper St. Cookies and punch will be served following the performance. The cantata is directed by Joanna Rinker and features members from several churches in the LaPorte County area.

FYI: Call (219) 797-5223.

PALM SUNDAY | Portage

Palm Sunday services will be held at 9 a.m. March 16 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5402 U.S. 6. All are invited to a French toast breakfast following the service.

FYI: Call (219) 763-6343.

CHOIR MUSICAL | Munster

Joyful Strains Children's Choir will perform the musical "Jonah" at 3:30 p.m. March 16 in the sanctuary at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 838-3131.

HOLY WEEK | Highland

First Church of Christ, 2420 Lincoln St., will hold Palm Sunday services at 9 a.m. March 16 with Bible school, preschool to adults. There is a 10 a.m. worship service by Minister Randy Harrison. Easter services begin March 23 with a breakfast at 8 a.m., Bible school at 9 a.m. and worship service at 10 a.m.

FYI: Call (219) 838-6986.

HOLY WEEK | Boone Grove

Holy Week observance at Boone Grove Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 356 W. Groveland, just off of 550 W., will begin Palm Sunday as Richard and Gail Merriman of Crawfordsville present a mini-concert of sacred music. Their son, Jacob, will play a piano offertory. Maundy Thursday service will begin at 7 p.m. March 20 with a candlelight observance of Jesus' Last Supper with His disciples. Easter morning services begin at 7 a.m. March 23 with a prayer service at Merriman Cemetery, where founders of Boone Grove Church and community are buried. An Easter Breakfast prepared by men of the church will be served at 8 a.m. at the church, followed by Sunday School at 9:30 and worship at 10:30. Child care is provided.

FYI: Call (219) 462-2295.

LIVING LAST SUPPER | Homewood

St. Andrew Players will present a Living Last Supper dramatization based upon Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting at 7:30 p.m. March 20 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 18850 Riegel Road. In this production, each Apostle steps from his frozen position in the painting to examine his own relation to Jesus and his doubts about his ability to follow faithfully. Each asks himself the penetrating question "Is it I?" Directed by Mary Lee Hoganson, the St. Andrew Choir, under the direction of Jane Hindsley, will also be part of the production. There is no charge.

FYI: Call (708) 798-8904.

EASTER EVENTS | Lowell

Holy Week and Easter events have been scheduled at the First United Methodist Church, 520 E. Commercial Ave. A potluck meal will be shared at 6 p.m. March 20 in the fellowship hall, followed by "The Living Last Supper" at 7 p.m. March 20 in the sanctuary. Holy Saturday Easter Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. March 22. Traditional Easter services are at 8 and 9:15 a.m. March 23, with a contemporary service at 10:30 a.m.

FYI: Call (219) 696-9219.

WORSHIP SERVICES | Crown Point

Worship services for Holy Week and Easter have been announced at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 250 S. Indiana Ave. Maundy Thursday Worship will be held at 2 and 7 p.m. March 20 with communion at both services. The message is based on Matthew 27:3-10, "Remorseful Tears: Jesus' Betrayer Ends His Life." Good Friday Worship will be held at 2 p.m. March 21and the message is "The Way of Tears: Jerusalem Women Mourn the Savior" from Luke 23:26-31. Tenebrae will be held on Good Friday evening at 7 p.m. Easter Saturday Vigil will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 22 with communion. Easter Sunday Festival Worship will be at 6:30, 9 and 10:45 a.m. March 23 with communion at all services. The message will be from John 20:11-18, "Tears of Sorrow, Tears of Joy: The Risen Jesus Greets a Weeping Friend." Easter Sunday breakfast is at 8 a.m.

FYI: Call (219) 663-1578.

EASTER DRAMA | Gary

First Baptist Church presents its annual Easter drama, "Christ in the Concrete City: The Birth of the Last Supper," by the Rev. Kenneth Gray Sr. The production is at 6 p.m. March 21 at 626 W. 21st Ave. and includes the drama team, praise dancers and singers.

FYI: Call (219) 883-3216.

INTERFAITH SERVICE | Hammond

Faith United Church of Christ hosts an interfaith Good Friday service at 1 p.m. March 21 at 3031 175th St. Participating churches include Iglesia Del Pueblo Disciples of Christ, Terrace Park Church of God and Hessville Assembly of God. All are welcome.

FYI: Call (2190 845-2288.

TRIDUUM PRAYER | Whiting

Morning Prayer according to the Liturgy of the Hours will be prayed at 7 a.m. March 20 to 22 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 119th Street and Lincoln Avenue. This sharing of sacred scripture and psalmody dates back to the early Church and is prayed throughout the universal church daily.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0023.

HOLY WEEK | Portage

Holy Week worship services have been announced by Portage First United Methodist, 2637 McCool Road.Services will be held at 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Palm Sunday, March 16, and Easter Sunday, March 23, at 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday, March 20, with a message and celebration of Holy Community, at 12:10 and 7 p.m. Good Friday, March 21, and at 7 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 22. Child care is provided.

FYI: Call the church office at (219) 762-3846.

THE RISEN CHRIST | Chesterton

Liberty Bible Church will present "The Risen Christ" at 7 p.m. March 21 and 22 at 824 N. Calumet Ave. The story of Christ's life, crucifixion and resurrection, as told by John, the disciple Peter and Mary Magdalene. Child care is provided for ages 3 and younger.

FYI: Call (219) 926-3038.

HOLY SERVICES | Lansing

Maundy Thursday services are at 7 p.m. March 20 at First United Methodist Church, 18420 Burnham Ave. Good Friday services are at 7 p.m. March 21

FYI: Call (708) 474-1144.

WAY OF THE CROSS | Valparaiso

Gloria Dei Hispanic Mission will hold a Way of the Cross procession, or Via Crucis, at 4 p.m. Good Friday, March 21, in downtown Valparaiso. A Via Crucis is a procession, not a parade, that remembers the sacrifice of Jesus made on Good Friday. It is a walking church service, in which members of the Gloria Dei Mission will portray those who were present at the first Good Friday. The songs, prayers, and Scripture readings will be done bilingually. All are welcome to participate in the Via Crucis by walking along with Jesus, Mary and the disciple John, the women of Jerusalem and their children, Simon of Cyrene and the two men crucified with Jesus. Those who cannot walk the whole route can ride in one of the shuttles that will follow the procession. The Via Crucis will begin at Heritage Lutheran Church, 308 N Washington St, and end about 5 p.m. at the VU Law School lawn.

FYI: Call Kat Peters at (219) 314-0064.

HOLY WEEK | Munster

St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, 8601 Harrison Ave., has planned Holy Week services beginning at 7 p.m. March 20, Maundy Thursday. Good Friday services are at 3:30 and 7:00 p.m. Easter sunrise service is at 6:30 a.m. March 23; other Easter services are at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Easter breakfast featuring pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and juice will be served from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the gym; an offering will be taken.

FYI: Call (219) 836-6270 or visit www.stplmunster.com.

EASTER CELBRATION | Lansing

An Easter celebration for children 4 years through fifth-graders is from 8:30 a.m. to noon March 22 at Grace Reformed Church, 2740 Indiana Ave. A free lunch will be served afterward for the children and parents. The day includes singing, crafts and games, Bible story time and a special puppet presentation, all with a focus on the true meaning of Easter.

FYI: Call (708) 474-0180.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Hammond

Annual Deacons' Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. March 22 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6709 Arizona Ave. Easter Services will begin with Sunday School at 9 a.m. and Morning Worship at 10:30 a.m. March 23.

FYI: Call (219) 844-7028.

NEW CHURCH | Hammond

Family Community Church of the Nazarene will open for the first time at 11 a.m. March 23, Easter Sunday, at 802 171st St. This brand new church is co-pastored by a husband and wife, the Revs. Todd and Raquel Forrest. They have pastored and worked in ministry for more than 15 years in Michigan, Indiana, Denver and Kansas City. Raquel grew up the child of missionaries in Venezuela and Guatemala. Todd is originally from Elkhart, Ind. It is in the former South Hammond Church of the Nazarene building, which closed in 1999.

FYI: E-mail ourfamilycenter@att.net

WEEK OF SERVICES | Westville

Holy Week events have been announced at Westville United Methodist Church on Main Street. Communion service at 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday, March 20, in the Sanctuary, followed by a somber service of remembrance of Jesus' betrayal and suffering. Prayer stations throughout the church and Family Life Center will invite visitors to walk throughout the church anytime from noon to 3 p.m. Good Friday, offering prayers for the congregation, community and the Kingdom of God. A fish fry will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. ‘Sunrisen' service in the sanctuary is at 7 a.m. Easter, March 23, breakfast in the Family Life Center is at 8, Sunday School classes will meet for crafts and an Easter egg hunt at their usual time, and the 10:30 service is in the sanctuary.

FYI: Call (219) 324-5565.

'THE CHOICE' | Schererville

Freedom Evangelical Church presents "The Choice," A dramatic musical for Easter, at 10:30 a.m. March 16 at 833 W. Lincoln Highway. The musical is a telling of the Easter story with the drama and pageantry of ancient Rome. It features an ambitious Roman centurion in love with a beautiful Jewish woman. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Make a reservation.

FYI: Call (219) 864-8883.

EASTER EVENTS | Schererville

Lake Hills Baptist Church has a service at 6 p.m. Palm Sunday, March 16, as the Praise! Choir presents the Easter musical "Thine Is the Kingdom," created by Dennis and Nan Allen. The musical, combined with video effects, tells the story of man's redemption from creation to final consummation. It will be presented again at 7 p.m. March 21. Easter morning services are at 8:15 and 10:40 March 23. A full communion service combined with music and scripture is at 6 p.m. March 23. The church is at 9209 W. 85th Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 365-4747 or visit www.lakehillsonline.org.

HOLY WEEK | Hammond

Holy Week events are set at Concordia Lutheran Church, 7441 Grand Ave.Services are at 3 and 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday, March 20; at 3 p.m. Good Friday, March 21; an Order of Tenebrae will be observed at 7 p.m. March 21; Easter Sunday includes a sunrise service at 7 a.m. and festival worship at 10 a.m.

FYI: Call (219) 844-5616.

LENTEN CANTATA | Hammond

The choirs of Woodmar United Methodist Church and Hammond First United Methodist Church present a Lenten cantata at 7 p.m. March 20 in the sanctuary of First United, 6635 Hohman Ave. "One Sacrifice" takes the audience from jesus' triumphant ride into Jerusalem to his great sacrifice on the cross. It will conclude Easter morning.

FYI: Call (219) 932-5915.

HOLY WEEK | Griffith

A Mass of the Lord's Supper is at 7 p.m. March 20, with adoration from 8 p.m. to midnight at St. Mary Church, 525 N. Broad St. Good Friday services are at noon March 21 with the Griffith Clergy Association and at 3 p.m. is the Lord's Passion. Blessing of Easter food baskets is at noon and Easter Vigil Mass is at 7:30 p.m. March 22. The Novena of Divine Mercy will be sung and prayed daily from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. March 21 and 22 and from 6 to 7 p.m. Easter Sunday through March 29. Easter Sunday Masses are at 6:30, 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Divine Mercy Sunday is March 30 staring at 1:30 p.m. with the blessing of the Divine Mercy image, examination of conscience and confession from 2 to 3 p.m. and at 3 p.m. the begins the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, repose of the Blessed Sacrament and holy Mass of Divine Mercy.

FYI: Call (219) 922-4163.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES | Munster

Everyone is welcome to Holy Week services at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave. Maundy Thursday worship service is at 7:30 p.m. March 20 with communion,

Good Friday worship is at noon March 21 and Easter Sunday services begin with a traditional Resurrection Celebration with communion at 9 a.m. and a contemporary service with communion at 11.

FYI: Call (219) 838-3131.

WEEK OF SERVICES | Highland

First Christian Church of Highland Disciples of Christ will hold a Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. March 20, a Good Friday service at noon March 21, and an Easter service at 10:30 a.m. March 23 at 9540 Fifth St. All are also welcome to attend an Easter breakfast at 9:30 a.m., just prior to the service.

FYI: Call (219) 924-5400.

GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER | Cedar Lake

"A Voice In The Crowd" is the title of Good Friday services at 7 and 9 p.m. March 21 at Community Bible Church, 13620 U.S. 41. This dramatic representation offers a vivid reminder of Christ's sacrifice. Communion and a time of worship are included. Easter Sunday services are at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. March 23.

FYI: Call (219) 374-6478.

PRAYER WALK | Merrillville

A Good Friday Prayer Walk will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a Communion Service at 7 p.m., March 21 at Living Grace Church, 2408 W. 78th Ave. The Easter Celebration begins with breakfast at 9:15 a.m. and worship at 10 a.m. March 23.

FYI: Call (219) 769-2240.

INTERFAITH SERVICE | Whiting

The Faith Enrichment Committee invites area residents of all religious denominations to join the Whiting/Robertsdale faith community for an hour of prayer from noon to 1 p.m. March 21. Hungarian Reformed Church will host the event at Plymouth Congregational Church, Stanton Avenue and 119th Street. The Community Choir, directed by Faith Pratt, will offer pre-service music at 11:45 a.m.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0023.

BILINGUAL VIGIL | Whiting

The Whiting/Robertsdale Catholic Community will celebrate a bilingual Easter Vigil at 8 p.m. March 22 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 119th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Divine Mercy Sunday service is at 3 p.m. March 30. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, prayers and Benediction will comprise this prayer hour.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0023.

EASTER FIESTA | Hammond

Our Family Center offers a fiesta from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. March 22 at 820 171st St. Participants will celebrate Easter with American and Hispanic traditions. Enjoy an Easter egg hunt for children in preschool to second grade, with a pinata for youths in third to sixth grade, as well as an egg-decorating contest and other activities. Easter bags will be provided at sign-in. The movie "Jesus" will be shown at 6:30 p.m. March 21. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. A service for families is set for 11 a.m. March 23 with Family Community Church.

FYI: Call (219) 852-4067.

EASTER SERVICE | Gary

Easter services start at 6 a.m. March 23 with a sunrise service and continue at 9 a.m. with the Sunday school's Easter presentation featuring recitations, skits and songs at Peace Baptist Church, 1201 Chase St.

FYI: Call (219) 949-8470.