Hillsdale Area Ministerial Association Hosts Good Friday Service for Community in Hillsdale College’s Christ Chapel
Traditional service brings together Christians from across Hillsdale County
Hillsdale, Mich. —Christians from across Hillsdale County gathered at Hillsdale College’s Christ Chapel on April 2 for a Good Friday service held annually by the Hillsdale Area Ministerial Association (HAMA). College Chaplain Adam Rick gave the homily.
“I am honored to deliver the homily this year,” said Chaplain Rick, who welcomed the gathered crowd on behalf of the College. “The service is an opportunity for all the people of God in Hillsdale to come together around the passion and exaltation of our Lord for our redemption.”
Pastor Lucas Miller of Somerset Congregational Church and graduate of Hillsdale College offered opening remarks, a call to worship, and a Puritan prayer titled, “Love Lusters at Calvary.”
This year was the first time that HAMA held a service at Christ Chapel. Community members of all ages gathered to nearly fill the chapel space that allowed for social distancing. Nearly half of the congregation raised their hands when asked if this was their first time in Christ Chapel.
“Leaders of HAMA thought the service might benefit from a larger space that would allow more social distancing for those who’d feel more comfortable attending if that was available to them,” Chaplain Rick said.
Several area pastors also participated in the service, reading from Scripture and offering prayers, including Rev. Pat Baughman of Fayette Street Church of Christ; Rev. Lin Otto of Lifesong Community Church; Rev. Lorie Nichols of Hillsdale House of Refuge Church; andRev. Dennis Wainscott of Universal Celtic Ministries.
“It’s such a beautiful space,” said Jeanette Plummer, a member of Hillsdale Free Methodist Church who brought her husband and three children to the service. Plummer said she was grateful for the diversity of voices in the service. “Everyone receives differently, and it offered something for everybody.”
Life Challenge, a home and ministry for recovering addicts located on Beck Road, will benefit from an offering taken up in its name.
“Life Challengehelps men who are desperately trying to find hope and deliverance,” Rev. Otto said.
HAMA hosts a number of worship services throughout the year, including National Day of Prayer, Thanksgiving, and the Sunday service at Hillsdale County Fair. The group was unable to host a Good Friday service last year due to COVID-19. According to Pastor Miller, the service usually rotates through area member churches, as HAMA exists to help one other while keeping a focus on the greater community of Christ.
Since the opening of Christ Chapel, Hillsdale College has hosted a number of public worship services.
Photos of the Good Friday Service are available at this link.
About Hillsdale Area Ministerial AssociationFor more information about Hillsdale Area Ministerial Association(HAMA), check out its Facebook page. For more information about what the College is doing in the community, sign up for its Community Events Newsletter.