In Christian churches throughout

the world, Jesus' last meal with his disciples, followed by his trial

and crucifixion, will be remembered during Holy Week.

The week's solemn observances

lead up to the joy of the Resurrection celebrated Easter morning.

This year for the first time,

two Peachtree City congregations ­ Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran and

First Presbyterian ­ will join for worship on Maundy Thursday, April

12, in the Lutheran sanctuary. The 7 p.m. service of the Lord's Supper

will be preceded by a reception in the church fellowship hall at 6:30

p.m. At the end of the service, which concludes in silence, the altar

and chancel will be stripped.

On Good Friday, April 13, community

congregations will worship together at First Presbyterian, 206 Willowbend

Road, with meditations on the Seven Last Words of Christ offered by members

of the local clergy. That service begins at noon and lasts until about

1:30. Participants are encouraged to come and go as their midday schedules

allow.

At 4:30 the afternoon of Good

Friday, members of the Lutheran congregation will carry the cross from

the church to Picnic Park behind the library, in commemoration of Christ's

journey to Calvary.

That evening at 8, Christ Our

Shepherd's Tenebrae service ­ a "service of shadows" ­

will include special music and end in tomb-like darkness, to give a sense

of the day of the crucifixion. Choirmaster and organist David Beecher

will lead the choir in anthems from the "St. John Passion" by

John Ferguson, as well as music from Händel's "Messiah."

An Easter Vigil will begin

Saturday at 7 p.m. at Christ Our Shepherd, recounting the work of God

with his people throughout history. The liturgy is filled with Scripture,

hymns and psalms.

Rejoicing in the Easter Resurrection,

Christ Our Shepherd will conduct four services of worship Sunday, April

15, at 7, 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Special music by the choirs and instrumentalists

will underscore the joy of Easter morning. Each service will include the

celebration of Holy Communion. Child care will be available at all except

the first.

According to pastors the Rev.

John Weber and the Rev. Miriam Beecher, the public is warmly invited to

participate in these services of preparation for Easter, and to join in

the celebration of Christ's Resurrection on Easter morning.

The Lutheran church is at the

intersection of Ga. Highway 54 and Peachtree Parkway. Phone 770-487-8717.