Rev. McCallister Hollins, the Lithonia church’s pastor, said members will put a contemporary spin on Holy Week services.
“Easter is a right now event,” he said Thursday. “We want to contextualize it so that people can see how it’s a transforming experience.”
Maundy Thursday service on April 5 will include a theater performance by the church’s Drama Ministry at 7 p.m. in the Christian Life Center.
Prior to the performance, attendees will share in a Lenten meal similar to the one that Jesus and his disciples ate more than 2,000 years ago and a foot-washing ceremony, where church leaders will pray for participants while washing their feet. The evening ends with Holy Communion.
“The Service of the Nails” 7 p.m. on Good Friday further drives home the reality of the passion – or suffering – of Christ as each worshipper entering the service is given a nail. Seven nails represent the seven deadly sins. Hollins said an old wooden cross, 6 to 7 feet tall, is part of the service and worshippers will be invited to drive their nail into the cross signfying “the nailing of our sins into the cross so that we can be forgiven.”
The theme for Ousley’s overall observance is “Raised With Christ.”
The weeklong celebration begins with the Palm Sunday worship service on April 1 and culminates with three worship services on Easter Sunday, April 8.
The children’s Easter egg hunt begins at 2:30 p.m. on April 7.
Easter Sunday worship starts with a sunrise service at 6 a.m. followed by breakfast, courtesy of the United Methodist Men. The Children and Youth Easter Sunday Service is set for 8 a.m., where the children and youth will lead worship through drama, dance and music.
Easter 2012 culminates with the 10 a.m. worship service.
Ousley United Methodist Church is at 3261 Panola Road. For more information, visit www.ousleyumc.org or call 770-981-0180.
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