Special services and activities are planned at area churches for Holy Week, including:
• Quincy United Methodist Church — Holy Week Prayer Walk, “Journey to the Cross,” March 29 to April 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; seven stations guide participants through Jesus’ last week on earth with readings, devotions and other activities; the church, 111 South St., Quincy, is handicap accessible via a chair lift located inside the front entrance; everyone else is invited to enter through the side door by the parking lot; social distancing and masks are required; direct questions to to Julie Wick, (937) 622-1352; Good Friday service, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 2; Easter Sunrise Service, 7:30 a.m. April 4, and regular Easter service, 11 a.m.
• First Christian Church — April 1, Maundy Thursday, 8 p.m. contemplative prayer service (sanctuary) in person/Zoom; 24 hour prayer vigil (at home), 12 p.m. Good Friday, April 2, to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 3; April 4 Easter Sunday, 8 a.m. Drive Through Communion (church parking lot), 9:15 a.m. Café Grace Praise and Worship (Bethany Hall and Live Stream on Facebook) Keri Fergus hosts, Brenda Sanford serves at the Table, Rev. Kevin Greenwald delivers the message, “Mary Magdalene’s Easter Experience” scripture text: John 20:1-18; 10:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Easter Cantata, shown on the screen in the sanctuary for in person attendees and streamed via Facebook at “FCCBELLEFONTAINEOHIO.”
• West Liberty United Methodist Church — Good Friday, April 2, noon to 3 p.m., Come and Go Prayer Time in the sanctuary; Easter Sunday, April 4, 7 a.m. Easter Sunrise service at Fairview Cemetery (time change from previous announcements), Easter Breakfast follows at the church; Pastor Dave Yinger will be preaching and teaching on John 20:1-18, message title is “Called My Name” in-person worship 9:30 a.m., and in-person Sunday School 10:45 a.m.
• Lewistown-Trinity United Methodist Church — Holy Friday/Good Friday worship service, 7 p.m. Friday, April 2, sanctuary, includes singing and special music; 10 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 4, sanctuary, the church will celebrate with Jesus’ resurrection with singing and special music, the public is invited and safety protocols are in place; church is located at 8088 County Road 54 in Lewistown, one mile east of Indian Lake High School.
• Hopewell United Methodist Church — Drive-thru “Stations of the Cross” displayed on the church parking lot from March 28 to April 3 from dawn to dusk; Good Friday Tenebrae Service, 6 p.m. in the sanctuary.
• Greater Christ Temple — Easter Service, 11 a.m. Sunday, April 4.
• First Lutheran Church — Maundy Thursday service, 7 p.m. April 1, vocal solo by Stephanie Oaks, Psalm 22 read as the altar is stripped; Good Friday Tenebrae service, 7 p.m. April 2, several special vocal solos, duet, vocal quartet, bell quartet, Cindy Weikart, dulcimer, performs “O Sacred Hear Now Wounded”; Easter Sunday service, 10 a.m. Holy Communion, service led by Pastor Larry Novak, solos, duets, vocal quartet, bell quartet will be included in the service, opening and closing hymn accompanied by trumpeter Stephanie Oaks.
• West Mansfield Community Easter Sunrise service — 7 a.m. April 4, West Mansfield churches combine for a sunrise service at West Mansfield United Methodist Church, with Pastor Sam Newell preaching; a light take and go breakfast will be offered following the service.
• First United Methodist Church — Easter Sunday service, 9 a.m. online and in person, and 11 a.m. via radio broadcast, Pastor Joe Ziraldo of First United Methodist Church brings the message, “When We Cross the River,” based on John 20:11-18.
• Huntsville United Methodist Church — Easter Sunday service, Rev. Bryan Meadows concludes sermon series, “Journey to the Cross,” with the Easter message, “A Place to Stand”; congregation reveals the outcomes of the Tons of Love Food Drive and Miracle Offering during the morning’s worship service.
• Gretna Brethren Church — Good Friday Communion Service, 7 p.m. April 2; Sunrise Easter Service, 8 a.m. April 4; Easter Sunday Gathering Service, 9:45 a.m. April 4; congregation celebrates Resurrection Sunday with the message, “From Death To Life,” brought by Pastor Rob Starnes. “Through the resurrection of Christ, we have a living hope that sustains and strengthens the believer in all circumstances”; scripture: I Peter 1:1-9; talent offering: Marilyn Smith; adult and children’s Sunday school at 8:45 a.m., children’s worship leader: Kari Jackson.
• Rushsylvania United Methodist Church — Sunrise service at 7 a.m. begins Easter celebration; at the 9:30 a.m. service, Pastor Jessica Cavinee’s message is, “He’s Alive”; scripture: John 20:1-8; communion will be served; in-person worship or via Facebook, “Rushsylvania United Methodist Church.”
• Bethel Mennonite Church — Easter service, 10:10 a.m., includes special music, a message on the theme, “Called to deep living,” and celebrating communion together; mask wearing and social distance is being observed.