MADISON, Wis. -- Friday's blast of winter fury not only thwarted commuters and those attempting to meet up with loved ones for the holiday weekend, it also hampered church services on what's traditionally one of their busiest nights.

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Many Madison area churches opted to cancel Good Friday services or made the unusual move of rescheduling them for Saturday, the evening before Easter, WISC-TV reported.

Parishioners in south-central Wisconsin sure didn't need to pray for snow this winter. Many of those who braved the storm to attend services on Friday said that they're taking it all in stride. But, some church officials said that all the snow and ice this season has piled up plenty of expenses for local congregations and chipped away at attendance and offerings.

Friday's storm pelted church members, some in Easter hats, as they struggled to get to those Good Friday services that weren't canceled.

At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, a large church on Madison's West Side, the minister noted to the members that Lent blew in on Ash Wednesday with 13 inches of snow and was blowing out with several more.

Parishioner Sue Cramer said that she made her way through the windy snow to get to service at noon.

"I think we should make 100 inches. As long as we're this close, we ought to do it. And then be done with it!" Cramer said, laughing.

Other church members said that they've had enough of winter already. Even with handicapped parking, Don McCloskey said that it's been tough making it to services this winter. He said he decided to go to the early Good Friday service at his church because of the weather and made sure he wore his snow boots.

"I used to enjoy winter when I was younger. Now this winter and approaching old age have made winter very despicable," McCloskey said. "There's no fun anymore!"

Despite the weather, Good Shepherd was packed for its noon service. But it and other congregations, including some which canceled services again Friday, are still feeling the financial burden of this winter even as they head into Easter celebrations.

A pastor at Good Shepherd said that it has already spent $11,000 on snow removal, but budgeted only $10,000 for it this year. To chip away at the deficit, a special letter went out and many sent back several thousands of dollars in donations.

At the smaller Christ Memorial Lutheran in Fitchburg, the snow deficit situation is even more dire. Dan Haupt, program director at Christ Memorial, said that they face a financial crunch.

"We budgeted $12,000 for our snow removal for all of 2008, and we've already exceeded that just in January and February," he said.

Add in the month of December and he said that his church has spent $21,000 -- nearly twice their snow removal budget.

Compounding the problem, their two cancellations this winter haven't helped either as fewer offerings mean fewer donations.

Still, Haupt said that members are staying optimistic.

"Being a church, God provides, and so you know, were not worrying. We just keep moving forward," he said.

Haupt said that despite their past cancellations, members have stepped up to the plate and donated double at some services. He also said that online offerings that get donated consistently have helped Christ Memorial and other churches, too.

Other churches have mailed out special letters talking about the large weather-related expenses and received thousands of donations in return, WISC-TV reported.