Holy Week praise service set
Albany churches are observing Holy Week with a special midweek community service on Wednesday, sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance, as well as special activities for some of the individual congregations.
Holy Week Service
This year, instead of hosting multiple mid-day services, the Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring a community worship time on Wednesday evening.
The 6:30 p.m. service will be at the Aztec Theater on April 17, and everyone in the community is welcome to attend.
“It will be a service of song and praise,” said Alliance president Brad McBee. “We will also have a short meditation from three speakers.”
The hour-long service will be followed by a fellowship time with drinks and snacks.
“Several of the local congregations are planning to participate,” said McBee.
Sonrise Service
This year’s Community Easter Sonrise Service on Easter Sunday Morning, April 21, will once again be held at the Stasney’s Cook Ranch inside or just outside of the cook shack, depending on the weather conditions.
The breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. followed by the service at 7:30 a.m., according to Alliance vice president Tim Trimble.
Sunrise on Easter morning will occur a few minutes after 7:00 a.m.
The staff of Stasney’s Cook Ranch and the youth of First United Methodist Church in Albany will provide breakfast for everyone in attendance. Albany residents of all denominations are urged to participate in the service, which will conclude well before Sunday School classes and morning services begin within their own congregations.
The Easter service will overlook the lake at the ranch headquarters so that those attending might enjoy the sunrise over the water.
Other Special Services
Palm Sunday, April 14, is often celebrated with reenacting of the praises lauded on Christ as he entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, just days before his crucifixion. Local churches that typically celebrate the day with a palm processional during the regular service include Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, First Christian Church, Jesus of Nazareth Catholic Church, and Trinity Lutheran Church.
This year First Christian Church will also have baptisms and special music on Palm Sunday.
In addition, First Christian will have a Maundy Thursday service on April 18 at 7:00 p.m.
The congregation will have Easter morning services, including special music and the flowering of the cross, at the regular Sunday worship time of 11:00 a.m. An Easter egg hunt will take place after the April 21 service.
Matthews Memorial Presbyterian will participate in the community service on Wednesday, April 17.
The Presbyterian church will have service at the regular time on Easter followed by an egg hunt for the children and fellowship time for the adults.
The Catholic church has stations of the cross at 6:00 p.m. each Friday during Lent.
They will have Sunday Mass at the usual time of 8:30 a.m. on April 21, Easter morning.
Trinity Lutheran will have services at 7:00 p.m. on both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, April 19 and 20. On April 21, the Lutheran church will hold an Easter Sunrise Service at 7:30 a.m. at the Lutheran cemetery north of town, serve breakfast in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m., and have worship service at the regular time of 10:30 a.m., with a children’s Easter egg hunt to follow.
First United Methodist Church will flower the cross on Easter morning at their 11:00 a.m. worship service on April 21.
