Holy Week services offer communities a time to come together in fellowship and worship.

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” said Sherry Kuntz, a Pell City resident who attends the community Holy Week services at Pell City First United Methodist Church every year. “It is just a wonderful time to connect with a lot of people.”

Kuntz said she enjoys listening to the different ministers.

“You leave feeling better,” she said. “It is a lovely experience.”

Kuntz said she enjoys the fellowship, but enjoys the significance of Holy Week even more by attending the services each day.

“I come every day if I can,” she said. “The food is good, too. I enjoy the potluck fellowship with people of all faiths who come together to worship and break bread.”

Essie Mae Truss of Cropwell said this is her second year to attend the community Holy Week services.

“I enjoy seeing friends and coworkers and talking to others,” she said. “The song was great, and the message was great.”

Truss said the guest pastor’s message Thursday (the Rev. Maurice Keller from Mt. Zion Baptist Church) was especially meaningful.

“He makes the message understandable,” she said. “I plan to come again next year.”

Steve Hoover of Pell City said he also attends the community Holy Week services every year.

“I enjoy the opportunity to hear all the different pastors, and the special music,” he said. “It is a chance to worship with people you don’t get to worship with during the year.”

Hoover said he looks forward to Holy Week every year.

“I like the food and the fellowship,” he said. “You meet all different kinds of people, and the messages speak to the heart. Each pastor has a different view and delivery, but it is always very spiritual.”

The Rev. Carrie Kramer, associate pastor at Pell City First United Methodist Church, said several hundred people attended the community Holy Week services each day.

“The sermons have been great, as always,” she said. “Our local pastors have really blessed us with sharing the Word God has put on their hearts.”

This year’s guest pastors included the Rev. Dale Foote with Seddon Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Jeff Garner with St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church, the Rev. James Blair with Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, the Rev. Maurice Keller with Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and the Rev. Sam Huffstutler with Pell City First United Methodist Church.

Kramer said the special music featured wonderful singers with great messages in their songs.

“This is one of my favorite times of the year,” she said. “We celebrate what Jesus has done for us in a community way. It is always good to see how different perspectives bring the Word we need to hear for the day and week. The scripture is the same story we have heard over and over, but there is a new view each time and you see it in a different way.”

Kramer said she is thankful for the continued community support.

“We couldn’t do this without our local churches, the pastors who preach and the members who provide the special music, and also the 14 to 17 churches that provide food throughout the week,” she said. “It is a great example of how churches come together for the greater good of sharing the good news.”

Easter Sunday will feature a Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. at Chapel in the Pines, located near Pine Harbor Golf Course in Pell City, with the Rev. Carrie Kramer preaching; Sanctuary Worship at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. at Pell City First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sam Huffstutler preaching; and Wide Open Worship at 10:30 a.m. at Pell City First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Carrie Kramer preaching.