ASHLAND, Ky. — First Presbyterian Church, in cooperation with the Ashland Area Ministerial Association and Church Women United, will hold the annual noon-time worship services followed by lunch from March 29 – April 2.

Each day’s activities will begin at noon with a 30-minute worship service to include music, scripture reading, a homily provided by a local pastor, and prayer. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. daily. See list below for schedule.

“This is a fine tradition and represents the clergy commitment to providing for the spiritual well-being of our community.

During the most solemn week of the year, we hope you will join with us in worship and in fellowship as Christians all over the world prepare for the celebration of Easter,” said Pastor Garrett Bugg of First Presbyterian.

“We thank Community Trust Bank President Larry Jones for his cooperation and generosity for opening the bank’s parking garage behind the church to accommodate worshippers,” said Pastor Bugg. The parking garage will be open for the services beginning at 11 a.m. each day.

Lunch will be provided daily by the Church Women United, an interdenominational group of women from many area churches.

The Rev. Ike Nicholson of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) said, “As one of the pastors in our community, I am grateful for the ministry of the Church Women United. Each year, the organization has offered a light lunch following the services.

These women from congregations throughout the Ashland area have a passion to serve. The bond we share as Christians begins in worship and is strengthened around tables of fellowship.”

The presiding ministers:

Monday: The Rev. Garrett Bugg

Tuesday: The Rev. Jeff Queen

Wednesday: The Rev. Stewart Schneider

Thursday, April 1: The Rev. Phil Zimmerman

Friday, April 2: The Rev. Richard Clifton

The lunch will be provided by Church Women United from these congregations:

Monday: First Christian (Disciples of Christ) and First Presbyterian

Tuesday: Centenary United Methodist and First Baptist

Wednesday: First Church of God and South Ashland Methodist

Thursday, April 1: First United Methodist, Normal Presbyterian and Calvary Episcopal

Friday, April 2: Holy Family Catholic Church and New Hope Baptist

First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1819 and moved to downtown Ashland in 1858.

It is the oldest church building and congregation in Ashland, Ky.

The Ashland Area Ministerial Association is a group of ministers from the churches of the Ashland communities, bound together in Christ, recognizing that together the churches will accomplish more for our community than any one church alone.

The Rev. Henry Mosley is the association’s president for 2010.