Unity theme at Holy Week services

RICHMOND, Ky. -- “When a community comes together, miracles happen,” claims Margaret Howard, a veteran spiritual leader here.

Every day this Holy Week, God’s people from churches throughout Madison County are coming together to pray, worship and lunch together.

The annual event is being held this year at the First Baptist Church at Francis and Collins streets with different churches bringing the program and providing the meal each day. The short service begins at noon, with lunch served immediately after.

The Rev. Eugene Strange, pastor at First United Methodist Church, stressed unity in Monday’s message. He urged those representing the various churches and denominations to forget about competition and start thinking about cooperation. Strange cited Mark 11:15-17, which tells the story of Jesus driving the money changers out of the temple. He encouraged local churches to begin that process.

The Rev. Mitch Brown, chaplain for the city Police Department, was scheduled to deliver Tuesday’s message. The scheduled speakers for the reminder of the week were the Rev. David Bohannon from Harvest Family Fellowship on Wednesday, the Rev. Edwin Lainhart, pastor at Abundant Life Ministries, on Thursday and the Rev. Tiger Pennington, pastor at Rosedale Baptist Church, on Friday.

Jerilene Cantrell (right) prays beside Mayor Connie Lawson

Guest musicians for the week included Henry Kenney, The Crossland Heirs, Angela Bohannon, Laura Gilbert and the Rev. Robert Blythe.

Contributing food are Abundant Life Ministries, White Oak Pond Church, First Baptist Church on the ByPass, First Baptist Church on Francis Street, First Presbyterian Church, First Church of the Nazarene, Westside Christian Church, Big Hill Avenue Christian Church, Unity Baptist Church, Red House Baptist Church, Eastside Baptist Church, Episcopal Church of Our Savior, Rosedale Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church and First Christian Church.