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Suffolk churches are partnering for the 2020 Suffolk Community Lenten Worship Services. These worship services are open to the public and will be held on each Wednesday for the first six weeks of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 26.

This is an annual partnership between the Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and Suffolk Clergy United, two local clergy groups who work together to host the services.

“It’s our intention that (these) services bring the community together to worship,” said the Rev. Matt Winters, pastor at Bethlehem Christian Church in Suffolk, “to remind ourselves that during this season of Lent, as the difficulties of life emerge around us, that we still have hope through Jesus Christ. That God is a source of strength and unity and peace that binds this community together.”

Each of these six weekly services will be a partnership between two Suffolk churches. Each worship service will be 30 minutes in length and will be followed by a complimentary meal for attendees.

The church hosting the service for that week will provide the soup and table setting, while the guest church will provide sandwiches, cookies and a pastor for the service, according to the Rev. Julie Anna Sterling, pastor at Suffolk Presbyterian Church.

“We’re just looking forward to coming together in fellowship,” Sterling said. “This is always an event that the community looks forward to, and we’re hoping for a good turnout this year.”

Each worship service will be held Wednesdays at noon, from Feb. 26 to April 1. For questions, call Sterling at 539-3213.

The following is the schedule for the 2020 Suffolk Community Lenten Worship Services:

• The first worship service will be held at noon Feb. 26 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 213 N. Main St., with guest preacher Bishop Carlton Upton of Tabernacle Christian Church.
• The second worship service will be held at noon March 4 at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 2635 E. Washington St., with guest preacher the Rev. Julie Anna Sterling of Suffolk Presbyterian Church.
• The third worship service will be held at noon March 11 at Magnolia Methodist Church, 1764 Wilroy Road, with guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Wayne Faison of East End Baptist Church.
• The fourth worship service will be held at noon March 18 at Tabernacle Baptist Outreach Center, 3621 Nansemond Parkway, with guest preacher the Rev. Mary Anne Biggs of Oakland United Church of Christ.
• The fifth worship service will be held at noon March 25 at Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St, with guest preacher the Rev. Cordell Carter of Higher Ground Outreach Center.
• The final worship service will be held at noon April 1 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 125 County St., with guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Dave Meadors of Holy Neck Christian Church.