Christians across all denominations are invited to join Dowagiac’s ACTION (Area Churches Together in One Network) Ministries next week as it hosts its annual Good Friday Celebration.

The service takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 25 at the Federated Covenant Church, located at 202 Center St., Dowagiac. The service is free and open to the public; a goodwill offering will be provided during the service, with all donations going toward ACTION ministries.

ACTION, a collaborative organization comprised of members from nearly a dozen Dowagiac churches, has been hosting an annual Good Friday service since 2010, primarily as a way to give residents a chance to worship on the annual observation of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, especially those residents whose church doesn’t regularly offer a Good Friday Service, said organizer and ACTION President Jeff Neumann.

“It’s the most striking single event in all of history, and we want to come together as a community to celebrate it,” Neumann said.

The service, which draws between 50 to 100 visitors, alternates between different local churches every year. Last year, Victory Tabernacle hosted the service, while Connor-Mayo AME hosted it the year before, Neumann said

Neumann is a member of the three-person committee tasked with putting on this year’s service, along with Federated Covenant Pastor Chad Benkert and Karen Benedix. The committee selected the theme of “For God So Loved…” for this year’s service, Neumann said.

“This year will be solemn from start to finish,” he said. “It’s a more contemplative worship, with a scripture reading, a short video and sermon.”

Pastor Benkert will deliver the sermon of the ceremony, also entitled “For God So Loved…,” Neumann said. The service will also feature a mixture of contemporary and traditional songs, concluded by a singing of “Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord),” Neumann said.

For Neumann and other leaders with ACTION, the Good Friday service is yet another way that the coalition of the local churches are working with one another to provide the greater community a way to further their relationship with Christ.

“To have the opportunity to come together as a community for this holy celebration is something I desire for every Christian,” Neumann said.