Good Friday and Passover Coincide: Where to Worship

Today is Good Friday, the most solemn day of the Christian calendar, which commemorates the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross and his resurrection.

When the sun sets tonight, it also will mark the first day of Passover, the eight-day holiday in which Jews commemorate their freedom from slavery and their passage out of Egypt.

American Jews typically celebrate the “passing over” with a Seder dinner held at home that involves story, song and conversation about the exodus from Egypt. The evening also features ritual drinking of wine and eating Matzo, a flat unleavened bread.

While there are no temples in the Pine-Richland area, the Cranberry Jewish Community regularly holds meetings and culturally based activities, including a to celebrate the Story of Esther. 

For Christians, Easter also marks the end of the 40-day Lent period. Below is a list of area churches and their worship services for Easter weekend. 

Local Services

Good Friday—7:30 p.m. presentation, The Manger, by the drama team and Praise Band. Sanctuary open for personal meditation from noon to 3 p.m.

Saturday—Easter egg hunt for kids from age 2 to fourth grade at 10 a.m.

Easter Sunday—Sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by a light continental breakfast. Services at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Easter Sunday—8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. 

 in Wexford

Good Friday—7 p.m. services

Saturday Easter Worship—5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday—9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Saturday Easter Worship—5 p.m.

Saturday Kidz Easter Egg Hunt—6:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday Worship—10 a.m.

Good Friday—7:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday—8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Good Friday—7:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday—9:30 a.m.

Good Friday—2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Commemoration of the Passion of the Lord. The complete Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion will be offered at both afternoon and evening services on Good Friday.

Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil Mass—Begins at 8:30p.m. with the lighting of the new fire, the Vigil of Mass at Scripture readings, the blessing of baptismal waters, and reception of candidates into Full Communion into the Church, followed by the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Easter Sunday Masses—6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m.

Good Friday—Stations of the Cross at noon; Passion of the Lord at 1:30 p.m.; Tenebrae at 7 p.m..

Holy Saturday—Blessing of Baskets at noon; Easter Vigil at 8 pm.

Easter Sunday: Mass of the Resurrection—6 a.m. sunrise Mass, 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:10 a.m., noon.

Good Friday Service of Contemplation—noon

Easter Sunday—8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services.   

Good Friday—Children’s Good Friday Service at 11 a.m. (followed by lunch). 

Good Friday Service—Triumph of the Cross at 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday—Festival Service of Holy Communion at 8:30 a.m.; 
Festival of Holy Communion at 11 a.m.

Good Friday Worship—7:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday—Easter Sunrise Service in the barn at  at 6 a.m., followed by worship services at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. with Holy Communion at the church.

Easter Egg Hunt for kids ages 2 through fifth grade at 9:30 a.m.

Good Friday— Meditations/Stations of the Cross at noon; worship service at 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday—Combined worship service and visit by Bishop John Rodgers at 9:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday—Sonrise Service at 6:30 a.m; contemporary worship at 8:45 a.m.; Christian Education Hour at 9:45 a.m.; traditional worship at 11 a.m.

Did we miss your church? Tell us about your services by posting in the comments.