Churches to host Easter services

Albany churches are gearing up for Easter services planned over the next four days.

Starting Thursday, March28,severalchurches willholdMaundyThursday or Holy Thursday services.

First Christian Church will host a Maundy Thursday Service of Communion and Tenebrae at 6:00 p.m.

Maundy is a shortened form of the Latin word mandatum, which means command, First Christian pastor Brad McBee said.

“It was on the Thursday of Christ’s final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples after washing their feet,” McBee said.

A Tenebrae is a service from light to darkness recalling the crucifixion of Christ, McBee said.

“As scripture is read, candles are extinguished one by one until the last candle is snuffed out as Jesus dies on the cross,” he said. “It is a powerful service that prepares us to celebratetheResurrection, on Resurrection Sunday. Allarewelcometotakepart in this meaningful time.”

Also being held tonight are services at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church and a Holy Thursday with a Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Breckenridge.

Good Friday

On Friday, March 29, Jesus of Nazareth Catholic ChurchwillholdStationsof the Cross at 5:00 p.m., followed by Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 5:30 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran will conduct a Good Friday service at 6:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday

Sunday, March 31 observances will start at 7:00 a.m. with Trinity Lutheran’s sunrise service at the Lutheran Cemetery. At 8:30, Mass of the Easter Day will be held at Jesus of Nazareth.

Trinity Lutheran will servebreakfastat9:30a.m. at the churches Fellowship Hall with Easter service at 10:30 a.m. An Easter egg huntwillfollowtheservice.

Friendship Baptist Church will hold Sunday school at 9:50 a.m. with the worship service starting at 10:55a.m.TheFloweringof the Cross will be conducted during the service.An Easter egg hunt will be held after the service.

Bethel Assembly will also hold its Easter service at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and an egg hunt. All are welcome to join in.

First Baptist Church’s Eastermorningservicewill begin at 10:45 a.m.

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will conduct Easter service at 11:00 a.m. A children’s egg hunt will immediately follow the service.

Some of the younger members of the congregation at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church give handfuls of feed to a friendly donkey in an “Animals of Easter” event at the local church on Palm Sunday. Many churches are hosting special Easter services during the next few days.