for Easter weekend

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Pike County residents will observe the annual Christian festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ in a variety of ways.

Although some Easter events, such as egg hunts have already been held, the next few days hold much more in store during the days leading up to the spring holiday important to the Christian faith.

Good Friday will be celebrated at First United Methodist Church in Troy with a Tenebrae service.

The Tenebrae service dates back to the eighth century and commemorates the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, as he suffered death upon the cross. The public in invited.

During the service, the Chancel Choir, along with the help of readers and assistants, will present "Tenebrae: A Service of Darkness" by Hal H. Hopson at 7 p.m. It will include musical selections by soloists, the choir and congregation and will be accompanied by organ and oboe.

As the Easter Bunny prepares for his trek across the area, residents will be hunting Easter eggs.

Northside Baptist Church, Highway 29 North, will have and Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. Preschoolers and children will be able to enjoy the hunt, snacks and prizes. Another egg hunt will be at 1 p.m. at Pioneer Village.

On Easter Sunday, Pike Manor Health Care Center will have a sunrise service at 6 a.m. Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church will have its sunrise service beginning at 6:30 a.m.

Northside Baptist Church, Highway 29 North, will have an Easter worship service at 8 a.m., followed by a breakfast and Bible study. There will also be Sunday School for all ages and a worship service at 11 a.m.

Members of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church congregation will present the Easter play "While Angels Watched" at 6 p.m.

Throughout the day, families will gather in the yard and at area parks to hunt for colored eggs left by the Easter Bunny.