Community Lenten services to begin Wednesday
By Linda Luck
Published in News on February 22, 2004 2:01 AM
Wayne County residents of all denominations and races will once again gather for a series of midday services during Lent.
The First Baptist Church on John Street will serve as the host church for the Community Lenten Services, which begin Wednesday.
Originating in the 4th century, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues until the Saturday before Easter, which this year is April 10.
For several years, Goldsboro churches have observed the season of soul-searching and repentance with a service every Wednesday at noon. The pastors take turns delivering short sermons on a selected theme.
Usually the speaker's congregation will provide a light lunch for a nominal fee. The money goes to charities, such as the Community Soup Kitchen and United Church Ministries.
This year's theme is "Our Lord's Prayer," and the first sermon "Our Father Who Art In Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name," will be delivered by Arthur Evans, pastor of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Fred Clarke, pastor of the First Christian Church, will serve as liturgist.
The March 3 sermon topic will be "Thy Kingdom Come," delivered by Earl Dulaney, pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Rosalind Ziccardi, interm pastor of Pinewood Presbyterian Church, will serve as liturgist.
Gene Carpenter, rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is the speaker for March 10. His topic will be "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread." The liturgist will be Alton Smith, pastor of St. Mark Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ.
"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread," will be Philip Hunter's topic on March 17. Hunter is pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church. The liturgist will be Father Tom Norris of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church.
Freddie Barnes, pastor of New Spirit Ministries, will deliver the message on March 24. His topic will be "Forgive Us Our Debts, As We Forgive Our Debtors." The liturgist will be Lindsey Green, associate pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Salvation Army Capt. John Leidy will deliver the sermon on March 31. His topic will be "Lead Us Not Into Temptation But Deliver Us From Evil." Liturgist will be Daran Mitchell, pastor of St. James A.M.E. Zion Church.
The final service will be on April 7 with the Rev. Dr. William Barber, pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church, speaking on "For Thine Is The Kingdom, and The Power and The Glory, Forever and Ever. Amen." Bill Hufham, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will serve as liturgist.