News

EASTER: Egg hunts, Crosswalk, sunrise services

Worshippers walk with a cross down Main Street on Good Friday of 2014.

By Bill Moss, Published: April 1, 2015

From Maundy Thursday to the community cross walk Easter egg hunts to sunrise services, here are the Easter services for Holy Week:

Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State park is hosting its 60th annual Easter sunrise service on Sunday in a worship service filled with scripture, song and fellowship.

The service takes place beneath 535-million-year-old Chimney Rock, the monolith for which the Park is named. Gates open from 5-6 a.m. for the 6:30 a.m. service. There is no admission charge and guests are welcome to stay and enjoy the park for the day.
Easter Sunrise Service began as a small community gathering of residents and local pastors celebrating together the glory of Easter. In recent years, the ceremony has grown to more than 1,000 people from around the Southeast. Organized by ministers from area churches, this special service includes scripture readings, prayer and beautiful music by the park's featured entertainer, hammered dulcimer player John Mason, amongst others.
"The Easter Sunrise Service is truly a community event. The churches in Hickory Nut Gorge, in partnership with the Park, have collaborated for decades to host for this special holiday service," says General Manager Mary Jaeger-Gale. "It is one of the few times each year that residents and guests can see the sun rise over Lake Lure from high atop Chimney Rock Mountain. It has become a tradition for many families in the area," she adds.
The service will air live on 1450 WHKP-AM Radio and rebroadcast at 12:05pm for those unable to attend. In case of rain, the service will be held on the Park Meadows. Attendees should arrive early, dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Early arrivals will be able to park on the top parking lot. After that lot is full, shuttle buses will run continuously from the Meadows area at the top of the mountain. Additionally, the Park's Old Rock Café in the village of Chimney Rock will feature a traditional Southern breakfast following the ceremony.

Grace Lutheran

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 12:15 and 7:00 p.m. – In a bilingual English and Spanish service, Grace Lutheran will observe this solemn day by serving Communion in groups at tables to remind us of our Lord's Last Supper with his followers. Pastors Greg Williams and Ken Langsdorf will lead the liturgy, and Pastor Alfredo Oviedo will deliver the worship message. During the 7:00 p.m. evening service, several children who have been instructed in the meaning of the Sacrament will receive their first Communion.
Good Friday, April 3, 12:15 and 7:00 p.m. – Tenebrae services will be held with seven lit candles being extinguished one at a time after each reading from the Passion of Christ interspersed with hymns and choir anthems by the combined Adult Choirs accompanied by organ. The 7:00 p.m. service will be printed and spoken in both English and Spanish.. Pastors Greg Williams, Ken Langsdorf and Alfredo Oviedo will all participate in leading the services.
On Easter Sunday, April 5, 8:15, 9:45 and 11:15 a.m.- The drama of Good Friday is
reversed at the 8:15 a.m. service
with sunrise liturgy. Ceremonial brass and combined adult choirs will provide special music at the first two
services. The 9:45 a.m. service will
follow the traditional Lutheran liturgy and at 11:15 a.m., the contemporary service will be led by the Praise Band.
Nursery care will be available at all services. For information call
828-693-4890.

Hendersonville Presbyterian Church

Hendersonville Presbyterian Church will hold a Maundy Thursday worship service at noon on April 2. Dwayne Durham will deliver the message. Roberta Radcliffe, pianist, and Gayle Stepp, organist will play duets Near the Cross and Go to Dark Gethsemane during Holy Communion.
A nursery will be provided during the Maundy Thursday worship service. A soup luncheon will be served at 12:30 in the Fellowship Hall.
On Good Friday at 7:30 p.m. a reflective service of scripture and candlelight will be held in the Sanctuary. All are welcome at both services.

Community Crosswalk on Good Friday

First United Methodist Church will lead a one-mile community walk with the cross through downtown Hendersonville on Good Friday starting at 10 a.m. at the church.
"Carrying the cross of Jesus through the bustling streets around downtown reminds us of the pilgrimage, our 'taking up of our cross and following,' and gives us some idea of the burden Jesus bore for us," said the Rev. Dan Martin. "This walk with the cross is unlike anything else you've experienced."
The event is open to all, including families with children. Rain or shine, the procession will begin at the Buncombe Street church parking lot, then move in silence down Main Street, returning to the church via Washington Street. Arriving at the sanctuary, walkers will position the cross on the altar and conclude the Crosswalk with prayer.
Participants can then enjoy freshly baked Hot Cross Buns, a traditional Easter sweet roll decorated with a sugar glaze in the shape of a cross. All are invited to continue their observance with the Good Friday Service at noon in the church's Christian Life Center, and by walking the Prayer Labyrinth open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jackson Park Easter Egg Hunt

The 33rd annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Jackson Park with music, food, inflatables, prizes and the Easter Bunny. Egg hunt times are: 12:30 p.m. walkers through age 2; 12:45 p.m., ages 3-4; 1 p.m., ages 5-6; 1:15 p.m., ages 7-8; 1:30 p.m., ages 9-10; 1:45 p.m., special populations.

West Hendersonville Baptist egg hunt

On Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to noon, West Hendersonville Baptist Church will sponsor an Easter egg hunt for toddlers through 5th
graders. The story of Easter is explained through the use of resurrection eggs, fun games and concession stand with fun foods. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy this fun day of
celebration.

'Seven Last Words of Christ'

Brevard First United Methodist Church will host a collaboration of musicians and speakers presenting Theodore Dubois' "Seven Last Words of Christ" on Friday, April 3, at 7:30 at the Porter Center on the Brevard College campus.
The choir will be made up of combining FUMC's Chancel Choir and the Blue Ridge Sacred Chorale, an auditioned community choir made up of singers from throughout Transylvania and Henderson counties.
A chamber orchestra of strings, flute, harp and organ will accompany the choir.
Soloists for the work include Jonathon Ross, baritone, Blake Ellege, tenor, and Lauren Sims-Salata, soprano.
The seven last words of Christ are compiled from the passion accounts of the four Gospels and make up the final thoughts of Jesus on the cross on forgiveness, compassion, salvation and family. Dubois set the words to music in 1867. Dubois added additional text to the musical piece that fleshes out the story of Christ's crucifixion.
Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, visit www.BrevardFUMC.org and BlueRidgeSacredChorale.com.

Jump Off Rock Sunrise Service

Henderson County Churches Uniting will host Easter Sunrise Service at
7 a.m., April 5 at Jump Off Rock, Laurel park. Shuttle vans will run from First Congregational Church parking lot at the corner of Fifth Avenue West and White Pine Drive.
Arrive prior to 6:30 a.m. to catch the shuttle. Shuttles will bring everyone back to First Congreagational Church where breakfast will be served.

West Baptist Church

Everyone is welcome to attend special Easter Sunday celebrations at West Hendersonville Baptist Church.
The sunrise service will begin at 6:30 a.m. with the Resurrection service
starting at 9:30 a.m.

'Gospel Brunch' at brewery

The Redneck Mimosas will play at the Gospel Brunch at Southern Appalachian Brewery.Todd Hoke and his band will perform at the second "Gospel Brunch" from noon to 3 p.m. on Easter Sunday at Southern Appalachian Brewery on Locust Street.
Named Redneck Mimosa (for the brunch drink made of beer orange juice), the band includes Mare Carmody (guitar and vocals), Michael "Country" Carver (lead guitar and vocals) and Hoke (guitar, ukulele, harmonica, and vocals). The band's gospel repertoire includes "I'll Fly Away," "Wade In The Water," "Crash on the Highway" and "I Saw The Light."
"This is an event I'd been brainstorming for and when I mentioned it to Country and Mare to see if they'd be willing to give it a try they said 'sure' and then when I mentioned to Kelly (Cubbin, at SAB) that we were looking for a venue she said 'here.' Amazing," Hoke said. "And then the place filled up with smiling neighbors having a fun time."