A Message of Hope and an Invitation to Worship with Us This Easter Weekend
For weeks, we at The Salvation Army have been reassuring people that Hope Isn’t Cancelled. Most everything else might be, including many of our own regular programs. But thanks to our generous donors and dedicated staff, we are still running food pantries, providing rent and utility assistance, and doing our best to ensure that all our neighbors in need get through this coronavirus crisis.
This weekend we are comforted by another truth: Easter isn’t cancelled. Let the message below from our Divisional Commander grant you some perspective on this holiday weekend. And then consider attending one of our corps community centers’ online Good Friday and/or Easter services. Gather with us to celebrate that Hope is alive and well.
An Easter Message from Our Divisional Commander
Dear Friends:
For those who love worshiping Jesus, it's just hard to not be together on Easter. We miss the scent of lilies in the chapel and the communal breakfast waiting for us in the fellowship hall. Most of all we miss the warm hugs freely given without a thought of surgical masks and social distancing. While life has changed, we know God never changes! Can I get an "AMEN"?
This is an Easter we will never forget. Our children and their children will say "remember the year we couldn't go to church?" Present circumstances are forcing us to relearn something many have forgotten. Christians don't go to church. Christians are the church. We are the church everyday when we allow Jesus to live his life through us in our normal activities.
We are the church when we speak to the neighbor we have not taken the time to meet yet.
We are the church when we bake an extra batch of cookies for the family who has been quarantined.
We are the church when we call that fringe relative we haven't spoken to in years to see how they are doing.
We are the church when we share bread (or toilet paper) with someone who couldn't make it to the right store at the right time.
We are the church when we generously give what we can afford so that others might be blessed.
Don't be fooled. While you may not be going to church this Sunday, that does not stop you from being the church today and every day you have on this earth.
HE IS RISEN! (HE IS RISEN, INDEED!)
HALLELUJAH!
Commissioner Barry C. Swanson
Divisional Commander
Metropolitan Division
Metropolitan Division Online Good Friday and Easter Services
(Facebook live services can be watched at the time of the service or any time after.)
Aurora Corps Community Center
Easter service at 10:15 a.m.
Via Facebook live
The Salvation Army – Aurora, IL
Belvidere Corps Community Center
Easter service at 11:00 a.m. in English and noon in Spanish
Via Facebook live
The Salvation Army Belvidere Corps
Chicago Kroc Center
Easter service at 11:00 a.m.
Via Facebook live
Chicago LaVillita Corps Community Center
Good Friday service at 7:00 p.m. (Spanish)
Easter service at 11:00 a.m. (Spanish)
Via Facebook live
The Salvation Army LaVillita Corps Community Center
Chicago Midway Citadel Corps Community Center
Good Friday service at 5:00 p.m.
Easter service at 11:15 a.m.
The Salvation Army Midway Citadel Corps Community Center
Chicago Midwest Corps Community Center
Good Friday service from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the church parking lot. Must remain in your car. Take a packet when entering the parking lot and follow instructions. The packet will also contain material for an Easter Sunday family reflection time to be done at home.
20 S. Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
Chicago Templo Laramie Corps Community Center
Easter service at 6:00 a.m. (Spanish)
Via Facebook live
The Salvation Army Templo Laramie Corps Community Center
Des Plaines Corps Community Center
Good Friday service at 6:00 p.m. (both English and Spanish)
Easter service at 9:30 a.m. (both English and Spanish)
English services available via Zoom
Spanish services available on Facebook
East Chicago Corps Community Center
Good Friday service (bilingual -- English and Spanish) available here: https://youtu.be/9ZfxcnH4kjI
Easter service (bilingual) available on YouTube Sunday morning
The Salvation Army East Chicago Corps Community Center
Joliet Corps Community Center
Easter service at 11:00 a.m.
Via Facebook live
The Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center
Norridge Citadel Corps Community Center
Good Friday service available at noon
Easter service available at 8:00 a.m.
FB link: The Salvation Army Norridge Citadel
Oakbrook Terrace Corps Community Center
Good Friday service at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday prayer service at 7:00 p.m.
Easter services at 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Available at: facebook.com/obtnews and on YouTube
Rockford Temple Corps Community Center
Good Friday service at 3:00 p.m.
Easter service at 10:30 a.m.
Via Facebook live
The Salvation Army Rockford Temple Corps
Waukegan Corps Community Center
Easter service at 10:15 a.m.
The Salvation Army Waukegan Corps Community Center
Learn about all the ways The Salvation Army is responding to the coronavirus – as well as how you can help – at salarmychicago.org/coronavirus.
Help The Salvation Army Do the Most Good
Donate to Our COVID-19 Response Fundraise for Good
For tax purposes: The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division EIN is 36-2167910.