Special to Iredell Free New

After a three-year pause due to the pandemic, several Statesville churches are once again coming together to observe Good Friday.

This years’ service will take place at 12 noon on April 7. First Baptist Church of Statesville, located at 815 Davie Avenue, will be the host congregation.

“We remembered that 2023 was our turn to host, so I contacted the other downtown pastors and we agreed that it was time to bring back this community tradition,” said Dr. Nelson Granade, pastor of First Baptist Church.

The Good Friday Service is a remembrance of the day Jesus gave his life upon a cross, so the service has a somber and reverent tone. “It is an opportunity to focus on Jesus’ sacrifice and doing so makes Easter all the more meaningful,” Granade explained.

One of the highlights of this tradition is a mass choir made up of choirs from participating churches. This years’ mass choir will perform two anthems: Craig Courtney’s “Thy Will Be Done” and Joseph Martin’s “Pieta.” Amanda Tompkins of First Baptist Church will have a solo in “Pieta.”

Rev. Charles Evans, interim pastor at First Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church, is the guest preacher this year. He will bring a sermon entitled: “Humiliation.” It will focus on the humiliation Jesus faced during his Passion.

The Community Good Friday Service has been a local tradition for several decades. It was started by the downtown churches of Statesville, but has expanded to include other congregations that wish to participate. All are welcome.

This years’ participating churches include First Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Forest Park Presbyterian Church, Grace Baptist Church, Trinity Episcopal Church and Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.

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If you have questions or your church would like to participate in future events, please contact First Baptist Church of Statesville at 704-873-7231.