LENT 2025
Jesus of Lent: Outsider, Outcast, Outlaw
The Christian season of Lent is a five Sunday/five-week season of faithful self-reflection, discipline and commitment to spiritual practices like prayer, study, and service. This season’s focus is given to us from the gospel of Luke with stories of Jesus’ interaction with people on the margins who by religious law and tradition could be identified as outsiders, outcast and outlaws. Throughout his life, Jesus was labeled in much the same way especially as he made his way to Jerusalem and into his last days before his crucifixion.
Let us observe a Holy Lent: March 9 through April 12.
Journey to Easter
Welcome! We have a variety of events, programs, and services for all ages to take you through your Lent journey.
LENT & HOLY WEEK WORSHIP
Theme: Outsider, Outcast, Outlaw: Jesus of Lent
Sunday, April 13 | 9:30am | Palm Sunday | As you anticipate attending church, in-person or online, “Prepare the way of the Lord” into your heart by reading Psalm 118. It is a psalm of victory celebrating the steadfast love of the Lord that endures forever. “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.” The Rev. Mike Ebersohl, retired United Methodist clergy and member of Baker Memorial Church, is our Palm Sunday preacher. “All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King!”
Thursday, April 17 | 7pm | Maundy Thursday Taizé Service | To remember the Lord’s Last Supper, we will gather in Baker Hall for an evening of Taize song, scripture reading and Sacrament of Holy Communion. Taize music emphasizes simple phrases, usually lines from Psalms or other scripture repeated many times. With piano and flute, candlelight and worship in the round, we will sing, listen to the story of Jesus’ meal in the Upper Room and partake in the bread and wine that Jesus offers us before his crucifixion.
Friday, April 18 | 7pm | Good Friday Service Accompanied by sacred hymns and special music from our Chancel Choir and organ, the evening’s worship service will honor the last hours of Jesus’ life as told by the gospel of John. As candles are extinguished and silence is observed, we will remember that “erected on a distant hillside that time must not forget is a cross. And upon that cross there hangs a man as human as any of us proclaimed as the savior of the world, God’s divine-in-the-flesh and chosen one. His name is Jesus.”
Saturday, April 19 | Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil | “O God, creator of heaven and earth: The crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath. So we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life. Amen.”
Join the Prayer Vigil—to pray at home OR in the Chapel of Baker Memorial Church (see hours of availability below)—on Holy Saturday, April 19, 6am to 6pm. Use the SignUp Genius link to reserve your spot. There are three spots for every hour. The Chapel will be open from 9am to 6pm for the vigil. Please use the 3rd Avenue entrance. A prayer guide is available with the SignUp Genius link, click here.
Questions? Please contact Pastor David, 630.584.6680, pastordavid@bakermemorialchurch.org.
Sunday, April 20 | 9:30, 11am & online | Easter Sunday | Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ with glorious worship featuring music by Baker Memorial Church’s Chancel Choir, Baker Brass and Organ. Holy Communion will be served at each service which will also feature a special message for children. The 9:30am service will be live streamed for online viewing.
CHURCH EVENTS
Good Friday, April 18 | 10:30am-Noon | Road to Easter | All children and families welcome! This is an inter-generational children’s learning and fellowship event that provides an accessible and engaging experience of Holy Week focusing on the last days of Jesus’ life. The event includes celebrating Easter, too! Come for storytelling, prayer, songs, activities and a take-home craft. A taco lunch will be provided. The event will end with an Easter Egg Hunt on the church lawn (children through 5th grade, older siblings are welcome; weather permitting.) Register NOW!
We had lots of clergy in the house for our evening Ash Wednesday service. A special thank you to Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer (in the center) for being the guest preacher. The service was a gathering of Fox Valley United Methodist Churches—Batavia UMC, UMC of Geneva, Wesley UMC of Aurora and Baker Memorial UMC.
LENT RECHARGE STUDY
In our adult Lenten ReCharge study, author Adam Hamilton will lead us through Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts and Outlaws. Pick up a book from the office. Sign up on the church app or here for one of three groups.
- Sundays, March 9-April 6 at 10:45am
- Mondays, March 10-April 7 at 11:30am
- Thursdays, March 13-April 10 at 7pm via Zoom