It is a week that is celebrated by Christians worldwide. In Rochester, New York, it is the week that everyone magically turns into “Early Birds.” After all, it is the early birds that catch the worms- or in this case the word.
For the past six years, the Mount Olivet Baptist Church has hosted a series of services during the week leading up to Easter. The services have garnished great support and attendance for their unique timing, and this year was no different. Every morning from April 14th to the 18th, hundreds of congregants of all ages filled the sanctuary at 5 a.m. for music, singing and sermons. Every service was followed by a time of food and fellowship with country-style breakfast. Church officials say the series of services have become a Rochester tradition.
“Holy Week has evolved from a Mount Olivet church function to an experience that this community has taken ownership of. Holy Week belongs to Rochester now,” associate minister Rickey Harvey Jr. said.
Each year, Mount Olivet draws in nationally-known preachers and singers. This year’s guests included Bishop Darrell Hines, Chicago vocalist Lemmie Battles and prominent Florida pastor Dr. Rudolph McKissick Jr. Singers from across the community joined voices and offered spirited selections of gospel music each and every morning. Among those singers was Eastman School of Music soprano Joel Dyson. The early morning hours were not exactly prime time for her, but she says faith got her through.
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“It was extremely hard waking up every morning to get to service being a full-time student and having a part-time job, and preparing for my degree recital. I was tired every morning that I woke up, but I got through every morning day by day,” she said.
Perhaps the biggest name announced this year was that of renowned gospel recording artist and pastor, Donnie McClurkin. On the morning he was slated to speak, traffic in the area of the church significantly slowed by 4 a.m. Hundreds of people had to be turned away because the church was filled to absolute capacity. Unfortunately, McClurkin was not able to attend because of weather and airline delays. But attendees still enjoyed themselves.
“I made it through the week by remembering that my sacrifice of sleep was nothing in comparison to the sacrifice made for me on the cross,” attendee Amonee Read said.
The week culminated in a never-before-seen, power-packed, dual service. On Good Friday, Mount Olivet hosted two services concurrently, each reflecting on what are known as the seven last words of Christ. Rochester experienced bold, sermonic reflections from several local clergymen. But the main attraction on Good Friday was sermonic reflections from the mouths of the young. In the past two of the six years that Mount Olivet has been doing Holy Week services, Good Friday has included a service set aside for youth. It features young adults with a variety of gifts- from preaching and singing to dance and musical instrumentation. A new face this year was 25-year-old New York City Baptist minister Adrian Reid. Reid says the solidarity of Rochester’s Holy Week was evident.
“Different styles and even [different] denominational backgrounds came together. No competition, but pure contemplation. It was a great time. I enjoyed it thoroughly,” he said.
Holy Week was undoubtedly received well by the Rochester community. Perhaps most impressive is the tradition’s ability to draw the young and the old- a trend that Harvey Jr. says will not be lost.
“God’s response to worship is needed amongst the young and the old. Our goal is for Holy Week to represent the diversity of our community, which certainly includes generational diversity,” he said.
Plans are already in the works for Holy Week 2015. Famed gospel singer and choral director Bishop Hezekiah Walker and R & B legend-turned-minister Rev. Al Green have already been announced preliminarily as among next year’s guests.
By Brenden Hobbs
