For Christians worldwide, Holy Week, including Easter, is the most sacred time of the year as worshippers celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Christians in the Fayette, Coweta and South Fulton area will celebrate with many religious services and fellowship activities, concluding with Easter celebration services Sunday.

The annual community Good Friday service in the Peachtree City area will be held this year at the Peachtree City Christian Church on the corner of Ga. Hwy. 74 and Kedron Drive South. The service will begin at noon Friday, April 6. Attendees are encouraged to come and go as their schedules permit.
The Good Friday ecumenical gathering has been a time of worship for Christians in the Peachtree City area for more than 30 years.
Pastors from eight Peachtree City churches will speak on The Seven Last Words of Christ and congregational singing will be interspersed throughout the service.
The community service is organized each year by Dr. George S. Dillard III, senior minister of the Peachtree City Christian Church. Several Peachtree City churches have hosted the service over the years.
Pastors participating this year include: Dr. George S. Dillard III, Peachtree City Christian Church, host; Pastor Steve Bingham, First Baptist Church of Peachtree City; Dr. David Miller, First Presbyterian Church of Peachtree City; the Rev. Sean Robinson, Peachtree City United Methodist Church; Father David Epps, Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church; The Rev. John Weber, Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church; Father John Walsh, Holy Trinity Catholic Church; and Father George Tsahakis, St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church.
For more information, call Peachtree City Christian Church, 770-487-9711.

The following individual churches have given notification of their Holy Week and Easter events:

Atlanta City Church will have Easter services at campuses both in Peachtree City and Fairburn. The Peachtree City campus will have services Saturday, April 7, at 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 8, at 11 a.m. The church is at 320 Dividend Drive. The Fairburn church, 3355 Old Jonesboro Rd., will have an Easter service at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 8. A Nursery and children’s ministries will be provided during each service. For information, call 770-964-2138.

Bethany United Methodist Church will have a Maundy Thursday service Thursday, April 5 at 7 p.m. and an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 7 at 11 a.m. An Easter Sunrise Service is scheduled for 7 a.m. Sunday morning, April 8, with breakfast following the service. An Easter worship service will be held at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Bethany is at 607 Rivers Road in north Fayette County.

Brooks United Methodist Church will have an Easter “Eggstravaganza” Saturday, April 7 from 3-5 p.m. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt, crafts, an inflatable playground and entertainment by Andy Oufit Irwin. The Brooks Community has a Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. at Brooks Cemetery and breakfast at Brooks Baptist afterward. Brooks UMC services will be at 8:45 and 11 am. Brooks UMC is three miles from Starr’s Mill off Hwy. 85 on the 85 Connector. Call for more information, 770-719-7593.

Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church will have Maundy Thursday services at noon and 7 p.m. on April 5. A simple supper will be served. The Good Friday Service of Tenebrae will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Easter Sunday services will be at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Christ Our Hope is at 2165 Ga. Highway 138, Riverdale, just over the Fayette County line. For information, call 770-997-7117.

Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City will host a Maundy Thursday soup supper at 5:30 p.m. April 5, and a worship service with Holy Communion at 7 p.m. This year, the Lutherans will host members of First Presbyterian Church in Christ Our Shepherd’s church.
At 4 p.m., Good Friday, the Lutherans will reenact Jesus’ procession bearing the cross to his own crucifixion. The parking lot at Christ Our Shepherd is the staging area, and there will be a brief worship service when the parade reaches Drake Field between City Hall and Lake Peachtree.
A Tenebrae, or Service of Shadows begins at 8 p.m., Good Friday, April 6, in the sanctuary, and concludes in near darkness.
An Easter Vigil will begin at 7 p.m., April 7, in the sanctuary.
A Sunrise Service begins at 7 a.m. Sunday morning, April 8. Then sanctuary services start at 8:30, 10, and 11:30 a.m. Praise services in the fellowship hall begin at 9 and 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion will be offered at all services, as will special music, both vocal and instrumental, under the direction of Music Minister David Beecher and several members of the Sanctuary Choir. Child care will be provided.
The church is at 101 Peachtree Pkwy. and may be reached at 770-487-8717. Information is also available at www.coslutheran.org.

Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church in Sharpsburg will continue its Holy Week activities on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. holding a Tenebrae service with scripture readings, lighting and extinguishing of candles, and a message by The Rev. Deacon Daniel Ahart.
Maundy Thursday will be celebrated the following evening at 7 p.m. with the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, a message by Father Dan Hale, and the dramatic “stripping of the altar.”
The church will participate in the Peachtree City Community Good Friday Services at noon.
On Saturday, April 7, the church will sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the church.
Father David Epps, rector of Christ the King, will preach on Easter Sunday with services planned for 8 and 10 a.m. The church is on Ga. Hwy. 34 between Peachtree City and Newnan. For information, call 770-252-2428 or visit the church website, www.CTKCEC.org.

Church of the Holy Cross Charismatic Episcopal Church will have Easter worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 8. The church is at 140 Kathi Ave. in Fayetteville, behind Michael’s and Radio Shack.

Dogwood Church in Tyrone will have an Easter Family Festival Saturday morning, April 7 from 9 a.m. until noon for kids of all ages. Activities will include inflatable activity centers, a giant dual slide, an obstacle course, clowns, face painting, pony rides, and the animals of the Wildlife Wonders petting zoo. Egg hunts will be divided by age groups and scheduled throughout the morning. An egg hunt time for children with special needs also is planned.
Parents are invited to enjoy a continental breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. with Chick-fil-A biscuits and other breakfast foods. Each family will be entered into a drawing to win prizes.
Pre-registration is encouraged to help speed the check-in process (www.dogwoodchurch.org/resources/easter).
Easter services will be held Saturday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday morning at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. For additional info, contact the church, 770-487-6691.

Edgefield Baptist Church in Fayetteville will have a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. on April 6. Special guest will be Charles Westmoreland and the Westmoreland Chorale. The Resurrection Service will be at 10 a.m. on Easter Sunday and will feature a play, “The Life of a Teenager,” written and produced by Donald Gray. Edgefield is at 140 Church Street in downtown Fayetteville. The pastor is Eddie Thomas. For further information, call the church, 770-461-7388.

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity on Antioch Road in Fayetteville will have Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4. On Maundy Thursday, April 5, Liturgy of Maundy Thursday will be at 7 p.m. and the Maundy Thursday “Watch” will begin at 9 p.m. The “watch” ends at noon on Good Friday, and the Good Friday Liturgy will be at 7 p.m. Friday. Several readings will be done on Holy Saturday. The Great Vigil of Easter begins at 7 a.m. on Easter Sunday and Easter Eucharist is planned for 9 a.m. A children’s Easter Egg hunt is set for 10:15 a.m. and the Easter Day Choral Eucharist will be at 11 a.m.

Fayetteville Christian Church will have Easter Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. April 8. The church is at 114 Hickory Rd., Fayetteville.

Fayetteville First Baptist Church will have an Easter Sunrise Gathering on the front lawn of the church at 7 a.m. Easter Sunday morning. Breakfast will be held in the fellowship hall at 8 a.m. for those attending the sunrise service. Bible study for all ages will be at 9:15 and Celebration Worship will be at 10:15 a.m. There will be no First Light Service (8 a.m.) and no evening service (6 p.m.). The church is at 205 Stonewall Ave. in downtown Fayetteville, about a block off Courthouse Square.

Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will have a Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. with Holy Communion in the sanctuary. The Good Friday service will be at 7 p.m. on April 6. Easter Sunday services are at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. The church is on Ga. Hwy. 54 across from the Fayette County Courthouse in downtown Fayetteville.

First Christian Church of Tyrone will have a Maundy Thursday Communion Service on April 5 at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday worship will be at 10:30 a.m. The church is at 294 Jenkins Rd., Tyrone. For more information, call 770-969-7346 or visit the church website, www.fcctyrone.org.

First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City will have Maundy Thursday services at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church (see above) and will join other area churches for the Community Good Friday Service at Peachtree City Christian Church on Friday at noon. A contemporary Easter service will be held Sunday morning at the church at 9 a.m. and a traditional service is planned for 11:15 a.m. First Presbyterian is at 206 Willowbend Rd. near City Hall. For more information, visit the church website, www.firstpres.com or call 770-487-7757.

Flat Creek Baptist Church has announced new times for Sunday school and worship services. Beginning Easter Sunday, April 8, Sunday school will begin at 9:30 and worship service will begin at 10:45 a.m. Flat Creek Baptist is at 161 Flat Creek Trail, between Fayetteville and Peachtree City. For more information, check the website, flatcreekbaptist.org, or call the church office, 770 487-4890.

Gracepointe Church will host a Good Friday Communion/Healing Service Friday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at its facility, 665 Ga. Hwy. 74 South, Suite 500, in Peachtree City. For more information visit the church website, www.gracepointechurch.com.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church will have Masses today, Wednesday, April 4, at 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. On Thursday, April 5, a Children’s Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (bilingual) at 7 p.m. Holy Trinity parishioners are invited to celebrate Good Friday with other community members at Peachtree City Christian Church’s Ecumenical Community Good Friday service at noon. Stations of the Cross that evening will be at Holy Trinity at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Spanish). Service of the Lord’s Passion will be at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (Spanish). Easter Vigil will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday, April 7. Easter Sunday Masses will be at 7:15, 8:45, and 10:30 a.m. and 12;15 p.m. Spanish Mass will be at 1:45 Sunday. There will be no evening Mass Sunday, April 8. Holy Trinity is on the corner of Walt Banks Road and Ga. Hwy. 54 in Peachtree City. For information, call 770-487-7672.

Members of Hopewell United Methodist Church on Jenkins Road in Tyrone will have their annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 7, from 4 - 6 p.m. All children through the fifth grade are invited to participate in the egg hunt, story time, music, and a cookout. On Easter morning, April 8, the church will have services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. For more information, call 770-306-7537 or visit the website, www.hopewell-umc.org.

Liberty Baptist Church will host a mass baptism celebration on Easter morning, April 8 at 10:45 a.m. Those interested in participating may contact the church office for additional information at the number below. The baptisms will be conducted in the worship center at Liberty Baptist Church, 1077 Ga. Hwy. 314 between Fayetteville and Riverdale. There will be an informational meeting at the church on Saturday, April 7 at 11 a.m. Childcare is available with reservation. RSVP by calling the church office, 770-461-5644. Additional information can be found at the church website, www.lbcfayette.org

The Lighthouse Church will host a special community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 7 at 10 a.m. at the Huddleston Elementary School playground. There will be thousands of eggs, door prizes, and free Chick-fil-a biscuits for the first 200 guests.

A community-wide Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Living Proof Church, corner of Jenkins Rd. and Ga. Hwy. 74 in Tyrone, will be held Saturday, April 7, from 2-3:30 p.m. There will be games for all ages and prizes awarded for all age groups. Refreshments will be available. On Easter Sunday, a Sunrise devotional will be held at 7 a.m. at the lake near the church property. Praise and worship celebrations will be held at the church at 10 and 11:30 a.m.

The Youth department at Mt. Olive Baptist church invites all to join during the church’s Good Friday Love Feast followed by the Easter Program on Friday, April 6. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. followed by the Easter program at 7 p.m. The church Easter egg hunt will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7. Mt. Olive will host a Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, followed by a continental breakfast at the church. For more information, call the church, 770-461-6526. Mt. Olive is at 192 Graves Rd., Fayetteville.

Pastor J. W. Wallis will conclude his Lenten series of sermons and the Adult Handbell choir will present special Easter music at 10:55 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 8, at National Heights Baptist Church. National Heights is at the intersection of Ga. Hwy. 54 West and Old Norton Road, Fayetteville.

New Hope Baptist Church, South Campus (1563 Hwy. 74 South, Senoia), will host an Easter EGGstravaganza Saturday, April 7, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. The event will feature family fun, pancakes with the pastor, egg hunt, inflatables, prizes, clowns and storytime. There is cost except for food ($1 students, $2 adults). For more information, call 770-461-4337, ext. 453.

The New Life in Christ Anglican Church fellowship will offer a Good Friday service Friday, April 6, from 4-5 p.m., at 95 White Oak Drive in Newnan. This Anglican Church fellowship, in association with the Anglican Mission in the Americas, offers weekly services on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. at the above address in Newnan. For more information about the Good Friday service or Sunday services, call 770-502-9053 and ask for Jerry or Marianne, or e-mail: newanglicanchurch@numail.org.

New Life Ministries in Fayetteville will have Easter worship services at 9 and 11 a.m. The church is at 265 N. Jeff Davis Dr. For information, call 770-719-8522.

New Vision Church in Fayetteville will have two Easter celebrations: one on Saturday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. and another on Sunday, April 8 at 10 a.m. For more information, call 678-817-5777. New Visions Church is at 193 Johnson Ave. Fayetteville.

Open Door Baptist Church in Senoia will offer three Easter services on April 8, with breakfast following the early service. A “Sonrise” Service will be held (time to be announced) with biscuits and “fixins” to follow. A morning service also will be held at 11 a.m. Both the sunrise and 11 a.m. services will be led by Brother Todd McClain. An evening service is scheduled for 6 p.m., led by Brother Casey Brooks. All services will be held at the church, 7364 Ga. Hwy. 16 in Senoia. For information, call the church, 770-599-6541.

Peachtree City United Methodist Church will have four services on Easter Sunday. A youth-led “Sonrise” Service will be held at 7 a.m. and Easter Celebration Services will be held at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. The church is at 225 Robinson Rd., Peachtree City. For information, call 770-487-6499.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville will have an outdoor Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. and a contemporary worship service at 9:15 a.m., followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for children at 10:45. A traditional worship service will be offered at 11:15 a.m. Prince of Peace is at 257 Ga. Hwy. 314 between Lowe’s and The Pavilion. For information, call 770-461-3403.

The public is invited to attend Holy Week events at Providence United Methodist Church. On Maundy Thursday, April 5, at 7 p.m. there will be dramatic portrayals of Bible stories and Holy Communion. Childcare will be provided for children too young to sit quietly during the service.
Traditional Easter Sunday services, including a full choir and orchestra, will be held at 8:45 and 11:11 a.m., and a contemporary service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 8.
Providence is at 592 Bernhard Rd. in southern Fayette County between Ga. Hwy. 85 and Redwine Road. For more information call the church. 770-719-8800 or check the website at www.provumc.com.

Resurrection House for All Nations in Union City will sponsor the fourth Annual Multi-City Easter Parade on April 7, with a 20-mile motorcade from Union City to College Park. Parade floats will depict the story of the death and the resurrection of Christ from his arrival on a donkey, to his death on the cross, to his resurrection. Members of multiple churches, businesses and community groups will add to the festivity this year by decorating their cars with signs and banners announcing how Christ has made a difference in their lives. Some will have their own floats in the parade. The event will end with music, food, fun and fellowship in the parking lot of the Resurrection House for All Nations church. All are welcome to join in the celebration at 6605 Mall Blvd., Union City.
Members of the community may register their car for the parade by contacting the church office at 770-994-3777 for information. The line up for the parade begins at 8 am at Resurrection House.
Resurrection House for All Nations is a non-denominational, multi-cultural Christian church, which seeks to partner with the community to raise awareness of Christian principles.

South Metro Ministries, formerly Peachtree City Church of God, will
celebrate Easter Sunday with a 7:30 a.m. Sunrise Service and two
worship services at 9 and 10:45 a.m. on April 8. The church is at 3935 Highway 34 East between Peachtree City and Thomas Crossroads.

Southside Baptist Church will host a free community cookout and Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 7 beginning at 11:30 a.m. Children should bring a basket or bag to collect eggs. More than 1,300 eggs filled with candy will be “hidden” and prizes will be given. Following the egg hunt, free hot dogs, slaw, chips, drinks and desserts will be served. Hay rides will be available all day and the Easter Bunny will be on site. Southside Baptist is at 1332 Ga. Hwy. 92 South, one and a half miles south of the Fayetteville city limits.

St. Andrew’s in-the-Pines Episcopal Church in Peachtree City will serve Holy Eucharist at noon on Wednesday, April 4, and will observe Maundy Thursday with Liturgy and Holy Eucharist at 7 p.m. April 5. The Good Friday Liturgy will be at noon on April 6 and a modified Easter vigil will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 7. Easter Sunday services with Holy Eucharist will be at 8 and 10:15 a.m. on April 8. Childcare will be provided. St. Andrews has a new interim rector, Father Paul C. Elliott, and is at 316 N. Peachtree Pkwy. near Flat Creek Road in Peachtree City. For more information, call the church, 770-487-8415, or visit www.standrewschurch.episcopalatlanta.org.

St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church extends an invitation to all Orthodox Christians and others who are interested in the Orthodox faith
to attend services during Holy Week, culminating with the celebration of the Great and Holy Pascha (Easter) on Saturday evening, April 7 and Sunday morning, April 8.
On April 4, Holy Wednesday Evening, the Orthros Service for Holy Thursday, Sacrament of Holy Unction will be held at 7 p.m.
On April 5, Holy Thursday Morning, the Vesperal Divine Liturgy is scheduled for 7 a.m. That evening, the Holy Passion Service will be held at 7 p.m.
On April 6, Holy Friday Morning, the Service of the Royal Hours will be held at 9 a.m. On Holy Friday Afternoon, the Service of Apokathelosis will be held at 3 p.m. On Holy Friday Evening, the Service of Lamentations, Epitaphios Thrinos, will be held at 7 p.m.
On April 7, Holy Saturday Morning, the Vesperal Divine Liturgy will be held at 9 a.m. and that evening, the Preparation Service, the Canon of Crucifixion will be held at 11 p.m.
The Great and Holy Pascha, the Resurrection Service and Divine Liturgy for Sunday, April 8, will begin at midnight on Saturday night. At 11 a.m. Sunday morning, The Great and Holy Pascha, the Great Vespers of Agape, will be held.
St. Christopher’s is at 313 Dividend Dr., Suite 210, in Peachtree City. For more information, contact Pete Kleto, 770-253-8469, Tammy Soulakos, 770-487-1004, or the Very Rev. Fr. George Tsahakis, 404-634-9345. Also, for a complete schedule of services and activities, visit St. Christopher’s website, www.saintchristopherhoc.org.

At Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Newnan, parish members are preparing for Easter celebrations in their first church space, dedicated in February.
Holy Thursday, April 5, marks the first day of the three high holy days which include Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The Mass on Holy Thursday will be at 7 p.m. when the church celebrates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and the Apostles and the institution of the Eucharist by Christ. It is also considered the anniversary of the institution of the priesthood. During the Mass, the feet of the faithful will be washed in a special rite known as the “Mandatum,” regarded as a sign of service. At the conclusion of the Mass, the altar is stripped and the Eucharist will be taken in procession to a room in the building reserved for adoration which will be held until 10 p.m.
On Good Friday, April 6, Celebration of The Lord’s Passion will be held at 7 p.m. and a large wooden cross is carried into the worship space, symbolic of the crucifixion cross. The faithful will venerate the cross in silence.
On Easter Saturday, April 7, morning prayer will be held at 9 a.m. At 8:30 p.m., the Easter Vigil begins outside and concludes inside the sanctuary.
During the special liturgy, candidates entering the Catholic Church will be baptized by immersion in the baptistry, some will receive their First Communion and others will receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
A reception in honor of the newly received Catholics will be held following the Vigil services. A special musical program has been prepared by the parish choir under the direction of Paul Bauer, music director.
Easter Sunday Masses are scheduled for 9 a.m. and noon. All Masses will be held in the new church.
The new entrance to Saint Mary Magdalene’s property is off Ga. Hwy. 154, at Ebenezer Church Road. Take the first driveway past the Coweta Fire Department station and follow the signs to the church at 3 Village Rd., Newnan. The new location is not on Mapquest. For additional information, call the church office, 770-253-1888.

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Peachtree City will have a Maundy Thursday service Thursday, April 5 at 7 p.m., a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. Friday, April 6, and an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 7 at 10 a.m. The egg hunt will include a hot dog lunch sponsored by the St. Paul Youth, a puppet show featuring Destination Discipleship’s own; Gordy, Gertie, and Albie, and the egg hunt, divided by age groups, for children up to fourth grade. There is no charge, but a free will donation will be accepted for the lunch. On Easter Sunday, Easter service times include a Sunrise Service at 7 a.m., an Easter breakfast at 9:30 a.m., and a combined worship service at 10 a.m. St. Paul’s is at 700 Ardenlee Parkway in Peachtree City. For more information, call 770-487-0339.

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