Good Friday prepares UMs for Easter

 

 

By Claudia M. Williams
Staff Writer
Before Southwest Texas United Methodists can celebrate Jesus’ resurrection Sunday, they must remember his death today.
Good Friday activities are planned today at United Methodist churches across the region to explain the crucifixion and how it led to Easter, the most significant day on the Christian calendar.
“The resurrection separates our understanding of the teaching and life of Christ not just as another great thinker,” said the Rev. Tim Abel, pastor, Industry UMC, “but the presence of God on Earth. For many, it’s the realization of the personification of God, the essence of God, the realization that God is with us.”
Abel is one of many clergy members planning to lead worship services early Sunday morning in cemeteries to tell the story of the empty tomb.
Worshipers at Hunt UMC plan to celebrate the Resurrection at the Japonica Cemetery. Coker UMC, San Antonio, has scheduled a service in the Coker Cemetery.
Abel said he sees significance in conducting services in the Industry UMC cemetery. In his message Abel said he expects to draw a parallel between the tomb of Jesus Christ, those in the cemetery and the tomb of any loved one.
Other churches are showing the movie The Passion of the Christ tonight to explain events that led to Jesus’ resurrection and to promote dialogue about who Christ is.
“This is probably the best time to offer the movie,” said the Rev. Bill Stegemueller, Medina UMC pastor, “because the ‘passion’ is right in line of what Good Friday is all about.
“We are praying that The Passion of the Christ might bring new people into the family of God as well as renew and strengthen those already within the church.”
University UMC, San Antonio, was to offer a screening of the movie this morning and afternoon. Lytle UMC was expected to show the film this evening.
Other United Methodist congregations are reaching out to their communities to offer Christ to all through special programs tonight.
St. Andrew’s UMC, San Antonio, is to present the world premiere of At the Foot of the Cross, a drama written and performed by San Antonio actress Sam Carter Gilliam.
The chancel drama is a series of monologues contemplating the suffering and death of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Mary, his mother. The monologues are interwoven with choral, solo and organ music.
The presentation is to be part of the church’s Tenebrae service, the Service of Shadows. A Tenebrae focuses on the final hours of Jesus’ life and crucifixion.
First UMC, Harlingen, plans to present One Voice, a musical drama, tonight.
One Voice looks at the ministry and passion of Jesus as it might have been seen through the eyes of two of the Pharisees, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Both men are mentioned in the Bible.
Good Friday and Easter programs and services bring many Christians who aren’t regular worshipers back to church.
“They’re looking back to want to connect with Easter traditions in their families,” Abel said. “And now they’re looking forward to their own lives after death.”