A courtroom drama plays out during rehearsal for the play "Conspiracy of Betrayal" Monday night at Memorial United Methodist Church. Satan, played by Dan Burns, from left, accuses Judas Iscariot, played by Rick Loos, second from right, while Caiaphas, played by Todd Thieszen, continuing front from left, the Apostle John, played by Randy Andrew, Mary, the sister of Martha, played by Ashley Pick and Jesus, played by Jonathan Christner, listen to the testimony. The angel Gabriel, played by Kay Flaska, back from left, oversees the proceedings while Bonnie Brown, the court reporter, and Roz Buddenburg, the bailiff, look on. The drama, written by Dixie C. Manning, will be performed at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at MUMC, 105 East E Street, as part of the church's Maundy Thursday observance. Holy Communion will be served and special music will be provided by Stephen Smock and Athena Parde. (Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette) [Click to enlarge]

A courtroom drama on the stage at Memorial United Methodist Church, 105 East E Street in McCook, detailing Jesus' defense of Judas Iscariot is one of many special observances in churches across Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas during Holy Week.

The drama, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, will include Holy Communion and special music by Stephen Smock and Athena Parde. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow the presentation.

Cast members are Satan, Dan Burns; Caiaphas, Todd Thieszen; Gabriel, Kay Flaska; Mary, the sister of Martha, Ashley Pick; Judas, Rick Loos; Jesus, Jonathan Christner; bailiff, Roz Buddenburg; and court reporter, Bonnie Brown.

The play, "Conspiracy of Betrayal," written by Dixie C. Manning, details the trial of Judas after his betrayal of Jesus. Satan stands as the accuser and Jesus stands as defender.

Other events include:

McCook

Our Savior's Lutheran Church

312 Seminole

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Thursday: Maundy Thursday service with Holy Communion, 7 p.m.

Friday: Good Friday Services, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Easter Vigil and Baptism Service, 5 p.m.

Sunday: Easter services, with Holy Communion, 8 and 10:30 a.m., breakfast served from 9-10 a.m.

McCook Harvest Church

207 E. Sixth

Friday: Good Friday service, 2:30 p.m., Hillcrest Nursing Home

Saturday: Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt, 10 a.m., Norris Park

Sunday: Easter Sunrise Service, 7:30 a.m., Hillcrest Nursing Home; regular Sunday service 10:30 a.m., at the church with breakfast fellowship at 9:30 a.m.

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

509 W. First

Thursday: Solemn Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar, 6 p.m.; Gethsemane Watch, 7 p.m.

Friday: Liturgy of Good Friday, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Liturgy of Holy Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday: Holy Eucharist, 8 and 10 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt, 11:30 a.m.

Memorial United Methodist Church

105 East E Street

Thursday: Courtroom Drama, Holy Communion

Friday: Good Friday Service, 7 p.m.

Sunday: Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m.; Worship at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

First Congregational Church

212 East E

Thursday: Maundy Thursday service, 7 p.m.

Sunday: Early service, 8 a.m.; Breakfast with the Deacons, 8:45-9 a.m.; Worship, 10:30 a.m.

First Church of the Nazarene

801 W. First

Sunday: Breakfast, 9 a.m.; Easter Service, 10:45 a.m.

McCook Evangelical Free Church

602 East 14th

Friday: Good Friday Communion Service, 7 p.m.

Sunday: worship, 8:30 and 11 a.m.; Sunday School for all ages, 9:45 a.m.

Bartley/Indianola

Friday: Good Friday services, 7 p.m., at Bartley Christian Church combined services with McCook Christian Church and Indianola Christian Church, with the Rev. Clark Bates, pastor at McCook Christian Church.

Sunday: Sunrise Service, 7 a.m., at Indianola, combined services with Indianola Christian Church, Bartley Christian Church and the United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Rowe, pastor at UMC; breakfast will follow; Sunday services for Indianola and Bartley Christian Churches will be at 9:30 a.m., with the Rev. Mike Searcey, pastor at Indianola and Bartley.

Benkelman

Zion Lutheran Church

422 Sixth Avenue West

Thursday: Maundy Thursday service with Communion, 7 p.m.

Friday: Good Friday service, 7 p.m.

Sunday: Sunrise Service and breakfast, 6 a.m.; Sunday School and Easter Egg Hunt, 9:15 a.m.; Adult Bible Study and Choir practice, 9:30 a.m.; Worship service with Communion, 10:30 a.m.

Maywood

Maywood Christian Church

202 South Plum

Friday: Good Friday services, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday: Sunrise Service, 7:45 a.m., school ballfield in Maywood, followed by breakfast at the church, served by the youth; regular Sunday School for all ages, 9:30 a.m.; regular morning worship, 10:30 a.m.

Oberlin

A Community Good Friday Service is set for Friday, 12:10 p.m., at the Oberlin United Methodist Church. The service is titled, "Were You There? Sensing the Power of the Crucifixion."

The service is sponsored by the Decatur County Ministerial Association.