The service focused on the “Seven Last Words of Jesus.” The observance was a joint effort between three different denominations in the community. One pastor from each denomination spoke at the service.

The Rev. Seth Filburn of Lincoln Avenue United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dan Heusel of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Rev. Dave Benson of First Christian Church were the three pastors who spoke. The service focused on the death of Christ as Easter approached this weekend.

“It just gives us a chance to be together in the community,” Filburn said.

This is the second year for this exact service, but in previous years Filburn said he would always try to host some type of Good Friday service.

“We’ve tried to do something, but of course with COVID a few years ago that messed everybody’s plans up.”

He also said that events and services like this give the community a chance to come together and show a form of unity.

While reading from the biblical book of John, Chapter 19, Verse 28, to the residents in attendance, Benson said, “It says after that Jesus knowing that now all things are accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled.”

This made Benson wonder if Jesus was actually thirsty.

“Was Jesus really wanting a drink?” he wondered.

Benson believes that the dryness of Jesus’ mouth left him unable to speak.

“But through the dryness he needed moisture, so it wasn’t actually that he needed to drink but that his voice needed moisture. When they gave him the sour wine vinegar, it fulfilled the prophecy of the scriptures in his crucifixion.”

Heusel spoke next. He started by reading John Chapter 23, Verses 33 and 34.

“We know that Jesus came for the forgiveness of our sins. In the original sin, we rejected God and rejected the life that comes from God. And just as God said to Adam and Eve if you eat this you will die, it was the obedience that separated them,” Heusel said. “We could never make up for our sins so God’s son himself took on our human flesh so that he could give his life for the forgiveness of our sins.”

Heusel said that he thinks that the sins we commit are our human weakness.