Even though it’s still a month away, area pastors have been hard at work preparing a special Good Friday service for the community.
This is a special time of year for ACTION. (Area Churches Together In One Network), as they gather ecumenically for only two worship services each year.
A Thanksgiving service was held at First United Methodist Church last November, and this year a Good Friday service will be held at Federated Covenant Church.
“This is a real community effort,” says Pastor Jen Lowe from Federated Covenant Church. “Three pastors in town have been planning the service – Pastor Jerri A. Porter from Conner-Mayo African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pastor Heather McDougall from Silver Creek and Keeler United Methodist Churches and myself. We have tried to merge pieces from our three traditions in order to represent the diversity of faith that exists among followers of Christ in Dowagiac.”
The service itself will be a Service of Tenebrae, or “shadows,” which dates back to eighth-century Rome.
The most significant aspect of this service is the gradual extinguishing of candles in the room, symbolizing the flight of the apostles and the darkness and disturbance that accompanied Christ’s death on the cross.
At the end of the service, everyone leaves in silence.
“As Christians we can take time to remember and think about Christ’s death, especially since we know what’s coming on Easter morning,” said Pastor McDougall.
“We are excited to plan the Good Friday service this year and allow for area churches to gather together for common worship,” Pastor Porter said.
“Unfortunately, Christians don’t always get along, many times due to theological differences, but this service is one way we can begin to bridge that gap and find a common purpose in remembering what Jesus has done for all of us.”
ACTION invites the community of Dowagiac and the surrounding areas to gather for the Good Friday service on Friday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at Federated Covenant Church, 202 Center St.
For more information, contact Pastor Jen Lowe at 782-5656 or visit the ACTION website at www.actiondowagiac.org.