BARRHEAD - With gatherings of more than 15 people still prohibited in Alberta, seven churches in Barrhead, Neerlandia and Rich Valley are teaming up to host a Good Friday service that will be broadcast via social media.
The service begins at 10 a.m. Friday, April 10. It can be viewed through the Bethel Pentecostal Church’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as the “Barrhead Community Response to COVID-19” Facebook page.
“It’s a co-operative effort from across denominational lines and different churches,” said Bethel Pentecostal Church pastor Bob Jones, whose church’s website will also carry the video. “It just allows different people from different faith backgrounds to participate.”
Besides the congregations of the seven churches, Jones said this service is intended to engage Barrhead residents who aren’t religious.
“We wanted to come alongside Barrhead right now as pastors to engage everybody,” he said.
Jones said the idea began when he was speaking to Barrhead Alliance Church pastor Trevor Crowe, who is also co-chair of the Barrhead Ministerial Association.
He noted that the Bethel Pentecostal and Alliance Churches usually host a shared service for Good Friday.
“We thought this year, we should see if everybody from the Ministerial would like to participate,” he said.
The service will begin with a welcome by Jones, followed by Lee Anne Schmidt performing a song.
Leslie Penny of the Barrhead United Church will then deliver a safety-related message about staying at home, washing hands frequently and physical distancing.
Chris White of the Rich Valley Community Church will then deliver a scripture reading, following by another song by Lee Anne.
Leon Johnston of the Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church will then lead a prayer, and there will be several more songs and scripture readings before Jones offers communion.
Near the end of the service, Mal Wagner of the Barrhead Church of God will offer benediction and there will be a final thank-you message from Crowe.
All told, the service should run no longer than an hour.
All of these messages and readings are pre-recorded, Jones noted, and will be edited together for broadcast quality.
Kevin Berger, TownandCountryToday.com
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