The force was strong with one German church on Sunday where a Protestant pastor marked the unofficial “Star Wars Day” of May 4 with a galactic-themed service.
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Kitted out with atmospheric smoke, special lighting and a replica of the Millennium Falcon spaceship from the beloved sci-fi films, the church near the western German city of Cologne organised its space-themed service in an effort to attract younger attendees.
Wielding a lightsaber and dressed in a cape like a Jedi knight, Pastor Samuel Dörr addressed around 60 visitors in Bensberg in the western-German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with some in the audience even showing up in Star Wars costumes.
Helma Heider, an 82-year-old church-goer, said the cosplay service was “extraordinary and unlike the usual services”.
Star Wars Day has evolved over the years into an informal holiday celebrating the space epic and its surrounding franchise.
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It was created by fans as a sly nod to one of the films’ most popular catchphrases: “May the force be with you.”