BRIEFLY IN WORSHIP

Passover Seder at Chabad Wednesday

The Jewish community is invited to attend the annual Community Passover Seder at Chabad Jewish Center at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Regardless of affiliation or background, people of Jewish faith are encouraged to participate in an evening of a “Taste of Freedom” “” with matzah, wine and a kosher for Passover meal.

“This Seder is an opportune time to bring unity to the community, and a chance to get together and enjoy each others company,” said Rabbi Eli Goorevitch, executive director of the Chabad in Laguna Beach.

The cost is $36 for adults, $18 for children. Reservations are needed by Sunday. Call (949) 499-0770, or visit www.chabadof laguna.com.

Chabad Jewish Center is at 30804 S. Coast Hwy.

St. Mary’s hosts Easter Vigil

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will celebrate an Easter Vigil beginning at 5:30 a.m. April 12. The Easter Vigil liturgy is one of the most ancient of all Christian liturgies.

The service begins in darkness, with the lighting of a “new fire” that proclaims the new light of Christ as risen from the dead. The congregation processes into a dark church with only the Pascal Candle to guide them. The Exsultet is then sung, a hymn naming all those who rejoice this “night” in thanksgiving for the work God has done in redeeming God’s people.

Then the lights are turned on illuminating an elaborately decorated sanctuary with spring blossoms, altar candles are lit and the congregation proclaims with loud shouts the Easter Acclamation. All are invited. A breakfast will follow.

Holy Week services

All are invited to participate in special services during Holy Week at St. Mary’s.

?Sunday: Palm/Passion Sunday: 8:00 a.m., Rite I; 10 a.m., Rite II ?Wednesday: 8 a.m. Morning Prayer

?Thursday: 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Services

?April 10: noon and 7 p.m., Good Friday Services (following the evening service, prayer at the cross with Taize chants from 8:30 to 10 p.m.)

?April 12: 5:30 a.m., Easter Sunday: Sunrise Easter Vigil; breakfast to follow; 10 a.m., Easter Choral Festival

St. Mary’s is at 428 Park Ave. Child care will be provided during the 10 a.m. services on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. For more information, call (949) 494-3542.

Grief recovery at Presbyterian Church

A seven-week grief recovery class begins April 13 at Laguna Presbyterian Church for those who have lost a loved one through death.

Licensed therapist Jackie Pearson will facilitate the group from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the church Parlor. Pearson and her team will use “The Grief Recovery Handbook,” a path of specific actions needed to complete the grieving process and accept the loss of a loved one through death.

A $20 materials fee is due at registration, in the church office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The community is welcome and invited. For more, call (949) 494-7555.