Churches through Grayslake will open their doors this week to families to worship as the Christian community celebrates Easter, the central event of the Christian faith.

“It’s the birth of hope, that there is hope beyond the grave,” said Pastor Richard Valkanet of Living Waters Assembly of God. “It is the greatest day in human history.”

Churches such as St. Gilbert Catholic Church will begin their celebration tomorrow, known as Maundy Thursday, when Jesus Christ had his last meal with his disciplines through Easter Sunday.

Jim Murray, director of liturgy at St. Gilbert said in the Roman Catholic Church, Easter is a significant time of year and will signify what they will do the rest of the year. The church observes a Holy Triduum, which is Latin for three days, and becomes a remembrance of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

“It is an intense period of time of faith for our community,” Murray said.

See the Patch Directory tab (top of the page) for more information on local congregations. Here is a sampling of Easter worship schedules planned by area churches:

• The Chapel, 25270 W. Illinois Route 60: 6 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon Sunday. Call 847-201-2777.
• Crossroads Church, 1350 Illinois Route 137: 6:30 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Call 847-362-7120.
• Faith Church, 954 Brae Loch Rd.: 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Call 847-223-6249.
• Hope Church, 32475 N. Alleghany: 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Call 847-543-1659.
• Living Waters Assembly of God, 525 N. Atkinson, 7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Call 847-223-7541.
• Lord of Glory, 607 W. Belvidere Rd.: 7 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m., 9 a.m. (community breakfast), 9:30 a.m. (egg hunt), 10:30 a.m. (contemporary) Sunday. Call 847-548-5673.
• Shepherd of the Lakes, 285 Washington St.: 6:30 p.m. (Seder, reservations required), 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday (both family), 5 p.m. Saturday (blended), 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. (contemporary) Sunday. Call 847-223-4111.
• St. Andrew Episcopal Church, 31 Park Ave.: 6:30 p.m. and 7  p.m. (Stations of the Cross) Wednesday, 7 p.m. Thursday, noon and 7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday. Call 847-223-2310.
• St. Gilbert, 301 E. Belvidere Road: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Good Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 a.m. (church only), 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. (chapel and church) and 12:15 p.m. (church only) Sunday. Call 847-223-4731.