By WENDY STIVER
wstiver@lockhaven.com
Churches locally and around the world will observe Holy Week with special services. In our region, joint community events also are planned.
This year Maundy Thursday falls on March 28. It is a time to commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper. His Passion will be remembered on Good Friday, March 29, and his resurrection celebrated on Easter Sunday, March 31.
Other church events planned next week are listed in today’s Susquehanna Sunrise section, on page C3.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Bald Eagle United Presbyterian in Mill Hall will re-enact Christ’s last meal with his Apostles at 7 p.m. in the large Sunday school room, with a short message, Communion at the dining table and a simple meal of fresh fruit, assorted cheeses and fresh-baked breads. Gluten-free bread is available. To reserve a seat, call the church at 726-4112.
The Rural United Methodist churches that have been worshipping together for special Lenten services will gather at McElhattan Church for a 7 p.m. service with Rev. Bill Anderson speaking, a ceremonial washing of hands, a Seder meal, Holy Communion and remembering the Stations of the Cross.
Other community worship events include:
r Jersey Shore Lutheran churches – 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran.
r Sugar Valley – 7:30 p.m. at Albright United Methodist, Loganton.
Individual churches that have announced events include:
r Beech Creek Wesleyan – Communion available 6-8 p.m.
r Clintondale United Methodist – Hosting Lamar Church for 7:30 p.m. service with Holy Communion.
r Covenant United Methodist, Lock Haven – 7 p.m. service.
r Faith Chapel United Methodist at Hunter Run – 7 p.m. service.
r First Church of Christ, Lock Haven – 7 p.m., Communion shared in the “Upper Rooms” in groups of 11.
r Great Island Presbyterian, Lock Haven – 6 p.m. dinner, 6:30 p.m. service.
r Holy Spirit Parish, Lock Haven – Mass 7 p.m., Adoration 8-10 p.m., both at Immaculate Conception Church.
r Mill Hall United Methodist – Hosting Mackeyville church for 7 p.m. service with Communion.
r Rote United Methodist – Hosting Salona church for 7 p.m. service.
r Salladasburg United Methodist – 6 p.m. Seder Meal.
r St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Lock Haven – Worship and light meal of fruit, bread and cheese in the fellowship hall at 6:30 p.m., concluding with the Stripping of the Altar in the sanctuary.
r Trinity Episcopal, Jersey Shore – Special meal and service with the Stripping of the Altar at 6 p.m.; overnight vigil. Those participating in the vigil are asked to sign up ahead of time.
r Trinity United Methodist, Jersey Shore – Meditation and Communion around the table at noon and 4 p.m.; traditional worship 7 p.m.
r United Evangelical Lutheran, Lock Haven – 11:30 a.m. worship in the chapel.
r Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran, Renovo – Hosting Trinity Episcopal for 7 p.m. liturgy.
GOOD FRIDAY CROSS WALKS
A variety of Cross Walks are scheduled today, encouraging everyone to walk together and remember Christ’s Passion. They include:
r From McElhattan United Methodist Church, 6 a.m. For more information, call 769-6066.
r The annual Cross Walk to Bald Eagle State Park, rain or shine, starting at Liberty Baptist Church in Blanchard at 11 a.m. A short devotion will be held at the dam, and the group will then return to the church for a lunch. Everyone is welcome and reminded to dress for the weather.
r The Jersey Shore Ministerium’s community service will begin with a Cross Walk from the ballfield on the island at 11:30 a.m., into the downtown and ending at noon at St. John Lutheran for worship.
DRAMA
Another special event is the dramatic musical Easter presentation “Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb” at 7 p.m. at Hillview Wesleyan Church, 1200 W. Fourth St., Flemington. The church has a strong tradition of holiday musicals full of pageantry and drama, like this presentation. For more information, call 748-2738.
MORE
Other community events include:
r Beech Creek/Blanchard Ladies’ Sacrificial Breakfast – 9 a.m. at Liberty Baptist, Blanchard. Reservations needed by tomorrow; contact the host church or Blanchard Church of Christ, 962-2214.
r Beech Creek/Blanchard Ministerium service -7 p.m. at Beech Creek Wesleyan.
r Bellefonte – Noon at Trinity United Methodist. Information: 814-355-9425.
r Jersey Shore Lutheran churches – 7 p.m. service at Garman Lutheran.
r Sugar Valley – 7:30 p.m. service at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Tylersville.
r Nippenose Valley – 7 p.m. at Oriole United Methodist.
r Renovo – Service at noon at Trinity Episcopal.
r Rural United Methodist churches – Tenebrae Service, 7 p.m., Avis United Methodist, with Rev. Cathy Dawes speaking and the churches’ youth participating.
Individual churches that have announced events include:
r Covenant United Methodist, Lock Haven – 7 p.m. service with the youth participating.
r Great Island Presbyterian, Lock Haven – 7:30 p.m. service.
r Holy Spirit Parish, Lock Haven – Service 3 p.m., Stations of the Cross 7 p.m., both at St. Agnes Church.
r Jersey Shore Presbyterian – Free screening of the movie “The Passion of the Christ” (R) at 6:30 p.m. Information: 398-1909.
r Lamar United Methodist – Hosting Clintondale Church for 7:30 p.m. service
r Mill Hall United Methodist – Hosting Mackeyville church for noon service with Communion, followed by open Communion 1-3 p.m.
r St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Lock Haven – Open noon-3 p.m., the traditional hours of the crucifixion, for private prayer and meditation.
r St. Mark Lutheran, Snydertown (Howard) – Tenebrae service 7 p.m.
r Trinity United Methodist, Jersey Shore – Tenebrae service 7 p.m.
r United Evangelical Lutheran, Lock Haven – Noon service in the chapel; 7 p.m. Tenebrae service.
HOLY SATURDAY
Community Easter vigils include:
r Jersey Shore area Lutheran churches – 7 p.m. at St. John Church.
r Nittany Lutheran Conference – 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Luke Church, Centre Hall, with a number of pastors participating.
Individual churches that have announced services include:
r Covenant United Methodist, Lock Haven – 5 p.m.
r Holy Spirit Parish, Lock Haven – 8 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass at St. Agnes Church.
r Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran, Renovo – Hosting Trinity Episcopal for 7 p.m. Easter Vigil.
EASTER SUNDAY
All the churches listed here will hold their regular Sunday service, or services, in addition to the following special events. For regular service times, turn to page C2 in today’s Susquehanna Sunrise section.
Community worship events include:
r Beech Creek-Blanchard – Sunrise service 6:30 a.m., Faith Chapel United Methodist’s pavilion at Hunter Run. Rain place: the sanctuary. Continental breakfast in the social room follows worship.
r People’s United Methodist Church of Farrandsville – Sunrise service 7 a.m., Colebrook Township Building, followed by a light breakfast and 9 a.m. worship in the church, up the hill.
r Sugar Valley – Easter dawn services 6:30 a.m. at the Big Rock and Albright United Methodist, Loganton.
Individual churches that have announced special services include:
r Avis United Methodist – Sunrise service 7 a.m. beginning at the fire ring where problems that had been written out and placed on the cross will be burned to ashes, followed by breakfast in the social hall and the two morning services. The 10:15 a.m. service will include an appearance of Mary Magdalene.
r Beech Creek Wesleyan – Special music at 9 a.m. service including selections by the church choir, under the direction of Missie Lomison, and several solos; Pastor Alan Eckenroad to give invitation “Come and See.”
r Clintondale and Lamar United Methodist – 7 a.m. sunrise service at Lamar Church, 8:30 a.m. service at Clintondale Church.
r Crossroads Community Church, Antes Fort – Sunrise service 7 a.m.
r First Church of Christ, Lock Haven – 7 a.m. service by the youth, followed by breakfast.
r Flemington First Church of Christ – Sunrise sevice 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast.
r Holy Spirit Parish, Lock Haven – Mass 8 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church and 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Church.
r Mill Hall and Mackeyville United Methodist Charge – Sunrise service 6:30 a.m. at Mackeyville church with refreshments following; joint service with Communion 9 a.m. at Mill Hall church.
r Phelps Chapel United Methodist, off the Pine Creek Exit of Route 220 – Sunrise service 7 a.m., followed by breakfast.
r Salona United Methodist – Hosting Rote Church for 6:30 a.m. sunrise service, followed by breakfast at 7:30.
r St. John Lutheran, Booneville – 9 a.m. breakfast; service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.
r St. John’s United Church of Christ, Tylersville – Communion at 8:30 a.m. service.
r St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Lock Haven – Sunrise service and Communion, 6:30 a.m., with the congregation gathering in the courtyard to celebrate the resurrection (weather permitting); 10:45 a.m. service with Communion includes Easter blessing for youth and children.
r St. Mark Lutheran, Snydertown (Howard) – Sunrise service with Holy Communion, 6:30 a.m.; breakfast 7:45 a.m.; decorating the Living Cross with flowers 9 a.m.; Easter Festival Worship with Holy Communion, 10:30 a.m.
r Trinity United Methodist, Jersey Shore – Sunrise service 6:30 a.m., breakfast 7:30.
r Woolrich Community United Methodist – Sunrise Communion service at 7 a.m., breakfast at 8 a.m., Communion at the 9 a.m. and 10:30 services.