LAKEPORT, Calif. – More than half a dozen local churches will gather on Friday, April 18, at Lake County Bible Fellowship to observe one of the holiest days of the church year, Good Friday.

The community is invited to attend the service, which begins at noon on Friday, April 18, at Lake County Bible Fellowship, located at 727 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

Good Friday is the day that Christians commemorate the death and sacrifice of Jesus.

The purpose of this 24th annual service hosted by the Lake Ministerial Association is to help participants experience the emotional and spiritual aspects of the passion story: the betrayal, abandonment and agony of Jesus.

Throughout history, churches, congregations and individual Christians have sought to enhance their understanding of the events that happened on that first Good Friday in a variety of ways.

They have sought to remember the story by reading the Gospel narratives, recalling the last seven sentences Jesus spoke from the cross.

This year, a pastor or representative from several churches in the community will speak on each of the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross.

Each speaker will seek to draw the listeners closer to Jesus in this time approaching the remembrance of his death.

Every year, this Good Friday service is well attended and is a great display of unity in our community by people from several different religious traditions – Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Catholic and nondenominational.