Music, fellowship and preaching will highlight the Black Ministers Association's Holy Week worship services leading to Easter.

"For Holy Week, we begin the march to the cross of Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Michael Jefferson, the BMA's assistant secretary. "Everything from this week culminates to the Resurrection service on Sunday."

Close to a dozen BMA member congregations will gather at various churches in York City for Holy Week services that begin Sunday and conclude with an Easter Sunday sunrise service on March 31.

Holy Week marks the final week leading up to Easter, one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar. Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, will be observed Sunday, March 31.

"Without the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, our faith is basically meaningless," Jefferson said.

BMA's Holy Week begins with a Hosanna Concert - featuring the association's choir - to be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at Shiloh Baptist Church, West Campus, 704 W. Locust St. in York City.

The week's events continue with 7 p.m. services at various churches Monday through Thursday. The Good Friday service is at noon at New Covenant Community Church at 116 S. West St. in the city.

The services will feature sermons delivered by BMA members, by local pastors, and by pastors from the Interdenominational Ministers Conference of Greater Harrisburg and Lancaster Ministers Conference.

The BMA's Holy Week events conclude with a 6 a.m. sunrise service on Easter Sunday at New Covenant Community Church's other site at 701 W. King St. in the city. The sermon that day will be given by the Rev. Anthony Sease, the church's pastor and BMA president.

Participating Holy Week speakers and congregations are from various denominational backgrounds, including Missionary Baptist, African Methodist Episcopal, Church of God in Christ and United Church of Christ. Several churches are nondenominational

The theme for the week is "Lord, Make Us One," Jefferson said.

"We're from different churches, different denominations and areas, but we're getting together and fellowshipping with a common belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ," he said. "We know God will be pleased with that."

Summary of schedule: The Black Ministers Association will hold Holy Week services at various churches in York City.

The Hosanna Concert is at 5 p.m. Sunday at Shiloh Baptist Church, West Campus, 740 W. Locust St.

Holy Week services continue at 7 p.m.:

Monday at Fairview Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, 465 S. Pine St.

Tuesday at Trinity United Church of Christ, 32 W. Market St.

Wednesday at Bible Tabernacle Christian Center, 361 S. Pine St.

Thursday with communion at Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, 825 E. Princess St.

The Good Friday service is at noon Friday at New Covenant Community Church, 116 S. West St.

The sunrise service is at 6 a.m. Easter Sunday, March 31, at New Covenant's other site at 701 W. King St.

-Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.