MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Ecumenical Ministerium will present the annual three-hour Good Friday service for the community at noon Friday at the United Presbyterian Church, Fifth and Hickory streets.
This is a continuous service for three hours. The public is invited to come at any time and remain as long as time permits.
The ministerium reminded the public that Good Friday is a very solemn day, providing the following description:
"It is on this day the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. It is God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not from outside as if just stooping down from above but from within the process of human life.
"The words of the world's great men and women have been recorded after them. Many of these words, phrases and expressions are found engraved upon marble slabs and monuments. Others are painted in the most imperishable, yet delicate, colors of art. Others are found in the numberless books of the libraries of ancient civilizations. Throughout history, people have attempted to preserve every word which was spoken from the lips of the Son of God.
"It is in the hearts of Christian men and women everywhere that some of these words are engraved, chiseled and memorized. However, none of these words are remembered more, with the deepest devotion and highest reverence, than the words of the Son of God from Calvary that fateful day, called the Seven Last Words of Christ from His cross. These words of Christ are so divine, so holy, that to live in their company for forty days, forty years, or perhaps just three hours on one Friday is enough to bring a change, a personal transformation within the heart of one man or woman.
"On Good Friday more than 1,500 years ago, Bishop Ambrose entered the pulpit in the Cathedral of Milan and addressed his congregation in the following words: 'I find it impossible to speak to you today. The events of Good Friday are too great for human words. Why should I speak while my Savior is silent and dies?' Every preacher and minister of the gospel has had this experience, especially when words are compared with the majesty and power of the seven short sentences which the Lord spoke that afternoon."
With these seven words, the ministerium will conduct its service:
- "Father, Forgive ..." - Rev. Susan Roehs.
- "Today in Paradise ..." - Rev. Rose Marquardt.
- "Woman behold thy Son ..." - Rev. Raymond Orloski.
- "My God why ..." - Rev. Frank Karwacki.
- "I thirst ..." - Rev. Andrew Stahmer.
- "It is finished ..." - Rev. Joan Brown.
- "Into thy hands ..." - Rev. Beverly Petrovich.
