With Easter just a few days away, Christian churches on the south side are busy finalizing plans for services during the conclusion of Lent and Holy Week, leading up to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Sunday. Special events being offered this week include celebrations tonight through Saturday with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday being the most widely celebrated events.
The following churches have announced their plans for Holy Week and Easter:
The final Lenten Lunch at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will be Thursday, March 24, and will be hosted by Mary Martha Hope Circle.This year’s study was based on Adam Hamilton’s book “John: The Gospel of Light and Life.”
Lenten Lunches began Ash Wednesday and have been sponsored each week by a different circle of FFUMC’s United Methodist Women (UMW). They include a light meal followed by a devotional. Everyone in the community is invited to participate, and no reservations are necessary. Visit online at fayettevillefirst.com or call 770-461-4313 for more information.
Fayetteville First United Methodist Church is located next to the historic courthouse in downtown Fayetteville at 175 East Lanier Avenue.
• All Saints Anglican Church, 149 Ebenezer Rd (just south of Ga. Highway 54, east of Peachtree City) will continue Holy Week events with a service on Maundy Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. and a Good Friday service on March 25, also at 7 p.m. A service on Easter eve March 26, will be held at 8:30 p.m., and the Easter Sunday service will be at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 770-486-5374 or visit ptcanglican.org.
• Brooks Christian Church will host a community Easter Sunrise Service at Brooks Memorial Gardens at 7 a.m. Following the sunrise service, a free breakfast will be served to the community in the fellowship hall of Brooks Christian Church. In case of rain, the sunrise service will be held in the sanctuary of Brooks Christian Church.
Bible study is offered at 10 a.m. followed by an Easter Worship Celebration at 11 a.m. Brooks Christian Church is located at the corner of Ga. Highway 85 Connector and Church Alley in downtown Brooks, just four miles south of Starr’s Mill. For more information, visit online at www.brookschristian.org.
• Brooks Methodist Women will present “The Seven Stations of the Cross” On Saturday, March 26, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of Brooks United Methodist Church, 119 Morgan Mill Road, Brooks.
The community is invited to participate in “the real Easter experience,” by witnessing this touching pictorial and musical presentation.
Afterwards, an Easter bake sale and tea will be offered in rooms 100 A and B. All proceeds from the sales will be used to support the church’s missionary family, doing migrant missions in Hamburg, Germany.
For more information, call Melba Brown, 770-487-0348.
• Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church, 101 Carriage Lane in Peachtree City, will have a Good Friday worship service at 6:30 p.m. on March 25. Easter Sunday worship services will be at 8:15 and 11 a.m. For more information, visit www.carriagelandpres.org or call 770-631-4618.
• Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, corner of Ga. Highway 54 and Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree City, will offer a Maundy Thursday communion service on March 24 at 12:15 p.m. At 7 p.m. that evening the church worships with First Presbyterian Church in their sanctuary on Willow Bend Road. COS’s intern pastor, Young Kim, will preach, and a choir made up of singers from both congregations will provide music under the leadership of David Stivers.
Christ Our Shepherd will participate in the community Good Friday service at noon at First Baptist Church of Peachtree City on March 25, with Pastor Fritz Wiese serving as one of the preachers. A Tenebrae Service at 8 p.m. that evening will be at Christ Our Shepherd. The Procession of the Cross and “Solemn Reproaches from the Cross” are included. The Sanctuary Choir will present Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem accompanied by a chamber orchestra with harp under the baton of James C. Hagberg. Soloists will be Jason Breckling and Mikeila McQueston.
The Easter Vigil at 6 p.m. on March 26 is a unique service, progressing from the Fellowship Hall where new fire is sparked to the Shepherd Window where baptism is reaffirmed and finally to the sanctuary. Pastor Wiese will celebrate Holy Communion, ushering in the festival of Easter.
Easter morning will offer four services, at 8:30, 9:45, and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and at 10:50 in the Fellowship Hall. This last service is contemporary in musical style. The COS Brass will provide music at the three sanctuary services, with the Flute Choir playing at 9:45, and Sanctuary Choir with Joyful Noise Ringers at 9:45 and 11. Pastor Miriam Beecher will preach at all services. For more information, visit www.coslutheran.org or call 770-487-8717.
• Church of the Holy Cross Charismatic Episcopal Church, 140 Kathi Ave., Fayetteville, will have a Maundy Thursday service at 7:30 p.m. March 24, a Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. March 25, and Easter Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. March 27. See www.holycrosschurch.wordpress.com for more information and directions.
• Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Newnan will again share its Easter Drive-Thru, “40 Hours that Changed the World,” beginning Thursday March 24, and continuing through Saturday, March 26, from 6 – 9:30 p.m. nightly
“Cornerstone’s Easter Drive-Thru Nativity is all about the death and resurrection of Jesus,” said Paul Griffin, Project Chairman and Cornerstone UMC member. “For the past few years, we have shared with the community the real meaning of Christmas with our Drive Thru Nativity. Again this year with the Easter Drive Thru we want to give the community the opportunity to see, hear and experience the story of Jesus death and resurrection. Just like the Drive Thru Nativity, the Easter Drive Thru will be presented at no charge.”
People will receive a narration CD at the entrance of the drive-thru, and each car will be guided on a ten-scene journey depicting the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The scenes include Last Supper, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus before Pilate, the road to the crucifixion and the Crucifixion among others.
The Easter Drive-Thru will take place at Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 2956 Ga. Highway 154 in Newnan (Thomas Crossroads, the intersection of Ga. Highways 154 and 34).
For more information, visit www.cornerstoneumc.com.
• Dogwood Church will offer four Easter services this weekend. Saturday services will be at 4 and 6 p.m. and Sunday services will be at 9:15 and 11 a.m. Special Easter activities will be provided for children at all services. The church is at 975 Ga. Highway 74 North, Tyrone. The Rev. Dr. Keith Moore is pastor. For more information, visit www.dogwoodchurch or call 770-487-6691.
• The Episcopal Church of the Nativity will celebrate the Great Vigil of Easter at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 26. Easter Sunday service will be at 10 a.m. the following morning. The church is at 130 Antioch Road, Fayetteville, the Rev. Rita Henault, rector. For information call 770-460-6390 or visit nativityepiscopal.org
• Evergreen Church in Peachtree City will offer a Maundy Thursday worship service March 24 at 6:30 p.m. Easter services Sunday morning are at 9:30 and 11 a.m. The church is at 400 Windgate Rd, Peachtree City. For more information, call 678-788-7374.
• Fayette Presbyterian Church will host an Easter Outdoor Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday morning. Worshipers will gather in darkness before dawn at 7 a.m. in the outdoor worship area and will celebrate Easter as the sun rises, sharing the Lord’s Supper to the sound of morning birds singing. Worshipers are invited to bring their own camp chairs, although some seating is provided. After the service there will be a continental breakfast of pastries and fresh fruit.
The church will also offer a traditional service at 11 a.m. with Easter hymns, children’s choir, and the Lord’s Supper. Fayette Presbyterian is located at 791 Forrest Ave. (Ga. Highway 92 N.) in Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.fayettepcusa.org.
• Fayetteville First Baptist Church will host a Maundy Thursday service March 24 at 6:30 p.m. Easter Sunday services are planned for 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday morning. The church is at 205 Stonewall Ave., Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.fayettevillefbc.org or call 770-461-8378.
• Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will host a Service of Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. The Rev. Allyson Lawrence will preach at this service of music and worship.
On Good Friday, March 25, the choirs and orchestra will present a Service of Tenebrae at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of Fayetteville First UMC. This musical service is an adaptation of the ancient Tenebrae service dating back to the earliest years of the church.
From the Latin word meaning “darkness” or “shadow,” Tenebrae depicts events of Holy Week from Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to his burial through the extinguishing of candles and the dimming of lights as the service progresses.
“The Service of Tenebrae offers an opportunity to become more aware of one’s own humanity and relationship with Christ as the music and text draw participants into the action and events that led to the crucifixion,” a spokesperson said.
The community is invited to celebrate the joy of Easter on Sunday, March 27. Services will be held at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m., all held in the sanctuary. Dr. David Campbell will preach. A nursery will be provided for the services. Visit fayettevillefirst.com or call 770-461-4313 for more information.
Fayetteville First United Methodist Church is located next to the historic courthouse in downtown Fayetteville at 175 East Lanier Avenue.
• First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City will continue the celebration of Holy Week with a Maundy Thursday service in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. and will be a combined service with Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. Good Friday will be celebrated with the Community Good Friday Service at the First Baptist Church in Peachtree City. Easter Sunday service will be at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary featuring William Billings’ Easter Anthem. Flowering the Cross will be before the service, and the community is invited to join in this event by bringing flowers to the front of the church between 10 and 11 a.m. Family photos are encouraged. In addition, Easter breads will be served in the breezeway at 10 a.m.. The sanctuary will be adorned with azaleas placed in memory and in honor of loved ones. For additional information on any of these activities, call the church office at 770-487-7757. The church is on Willowbend Road in Peachtree City.
• Griffin First Assembly of God will present “Redeemed,” an Easter presentation, Wednesday, March 23 through Sunday, March 27, with performances scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 6 p.m. Easter Sunday evening. Childcare will be provided for children up to three years of age. The church is at 2000 W. McIntosh Rd., Griffin. For more information, visit www.griffinfirst.org.
• Heritage Christian Church’s Family Ministry invites local families to its Easter Sunday worship services on March 27 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Kids from Kindergarten through fourth grade will enjoy music, object lessons and family fun with Magician Myster E during both worship hours. Childcare for babies and preschool is provided at the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services.
Myster E, also known as Darrel Ervin, from Sharpsburg, Ga. is a Gospel Illusionist and Balloonologist with over 20 years experience performing for church children and youth groups, Upward events, birthday parties, family and corporate events.
A retired Army Officer, public school teacher, and ordained pastor, Myster E has over 45 years of public speaking experience that he combines with his passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus.
Heritage Christian Church is located in Fayetteville at the corner of Bernhard and Redwine Road. Visit www.heritagechristian.org or the church’s Facebook page for more information.
• McDonough Road Baptist Church’s Easter morning sunrise service is on the front lawn at 7:15 a.m. Those attending are asked to bring their own chair. Bible study is at 9:45 a.m. and Easter worship is at 10:55 a.m. The church is located at 352 McDonough Road in east Fayette County, just past the department of drivers’ services building. Call 770-460-5423 or visit www.mcdonoughroad.org for more information.
• Mount Olive Baptist Church, 1565 Ga. Highway 92 North, Fayetteville, will host the following Holy Week events:
Maundy Thursday Foot Washing, Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m.; Good Friday Love Feast and Easter program, Friday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.; Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 26 at noon; Easter Sonrise Service, Sunday, March 27 at 6:30 a.m.
For more information, call the church office, 770-892-7508 or visit www.mobcfayettevillega.com, or the church Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/mobcfayettevillega.
• New Hope Baptist Church will have Easter events at both campuses, beginning with a Good Friday service at 7 p.m., March 25, at the North Campus in Fayetteville. Easter services will be held Saturday, March 26, at 5 p.m. at the South Campus in Senoia, and Sunday, March 27, at 8 and 10:55 a.m. at the North Campus and at 9:15 a.m. at the South Campus. The North Campus is at 551 New Hope Rd., Fayetteville, and the South Campus is at 1563 Joel Cowan Parkway in Senoia. For more information, call 770-461-4337 or visit newhopebc.org.
• Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will have an outdoor sunrise service at 7:30 a.m. Easter Sunday morning. Other activities that day include a contemporary service at 9:15, an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:50, and a pipe organ service at 11:15 a.m. The church is at 257 Ga. Highway 314, Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.princeofpeacefayette.org or call 770-461-3403.
• Providence United Methodist Church will offer an interactive prayer walk, “Journey to the Cross,” Thursday, March 24, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free childcare will be provided for younger children in the Children’s Building beginning at 6 p.m.
Easter Sunday services will be at 9:30 (traditional) and 11 a.m. (contemporary), with the Rev. Dr. Diane Parrish speaking on “The Joy of Easter: No Looking Back.” Providence UMC is at 592 Bernard Rd., Fayetteville. For more information, visit provumc.com or call 770-719-8800.
• Senoia United Methodist Church, 229 Bridge Street, Senoia, will have Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services at 7 p.m. March 24 and 25. An Easter sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. Easter services in the sanctuary will be at 8:45 and 11 a.m.
A nursery is provided for all but the Sunrise service.
• Southside Church will have services at both its Peachtree City and Newnan Campuses. Saturday services at both locations will be at 4:30 p.m. Sunday services in Peachtree City will be at 8. 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday services in Newnan will be at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. Children’s activities will be available for all services. The Peachtree City campus is at 777 Robinson Road Peachtree City. The Newnan campus is at 1821 Ga. Highway 34 East, Newnan. For more information, visit www.southside.org.
• St. Andrews in the Pines Episcopal Church, 316 Peachtree Parkway, North, Peachtree City, will host the following Easter services:
On Wednesday, March 23, at noon, Holy Eucharist Rite I; at 6 p.m., Holy Eucharist Rite II. On Maundy Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m., Holy Eucharist Rite II (stripping of the altar). On Good Friday, March 25, at noon, Good Friday Liturgy. On Holy Saturday, March 26, there will be no service instead, parishoners will observe a quiet workday on the parish grounds and within the nave beginning at 9 a.m.
On Easter Sunday, March 27, at 8 a.m. the congregation will celebrate Holy Eucharist Rite I; and at 10 a.m., Holy Eucharist Rite II. For more information, call 770-487-8415 or visit www.StAndrews316.org.
• The Summit Church (PCUSA) will begin celebrating Easter with a Prayer Vigil on Saturday, March 26, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The church will be open and everyone is invited to come in for prayer.
On Easter Sunday the church will host an outdoor Sunrise Service at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast at the Fayetteville IHop.
The church will have a Blooming Cross in which the community is invited to participate. A cross will be in the driveway at The Summit and members of the community are invited to bring fresh flowers and fill the cross with blossoms.
At 11 a.m. a Communion Worship Service will be held in the sanctuary. There is a Children’s Church for those of elementary age and a nursery for younger children. The church is located at 1373 Ga. Highway 92 South, Fayetteville. Find directions and more information on the web site www.thesummitpc.net.
• Word of God Lutheran Church will continue its Holy Week services on Maundy Thursday, March 24,with a service at 7 p.m. This will include Holy Communion and the stripping of the altar.
Good Friday Tenebrae service begins at 7 p.m. on March 25. An Easter morning sunrise service will be held at 7:30 a.m. at the church’s building site property on Ga. Hwy. 34 at Shoal Creek in Sharpsburg, one mile past Sam’s Club.
A 10:15 Easter morning worship service with Holy Communion will be held in the church sanctuary at 303 Kelly Drive, Suite 10, Peachtree City. A nursery will be provided. The pastor is Jeffray Greene. For more information, call 770-897-4508, or visit www.woglutheran.org.
