Easter Celebrations Begin

Easter celebrations bring a mix of religious observances and family friendly community events. Churches offer special services, the town comes together for a Good Friday procession, and free festivities include games, food, candy and egg hunts.

Here's some of what's on the calendar. Is your event not listed? Tell us in comments and we'll add it to the article.

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, the final meal Jesus shared with the apostles, and the basis for the sacrament of communion.

There is a Maundy Thursday worship service at 7 p.m. at the that features holy communion.

will hold a Maundy Thursday service with communion at 5 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

will host a at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Lemon Grove United Methodist Church. A free Middle Eastern-style meal will be served, and scriptures will be read during the dinner. Communion will be offered, as will a foot washing service for those who desire to take part in the Maundy Thursday tradition. Bring a towel. All ages are welcome.

GOOD FRIDAY

Good Friday observes Christ's final hours, from his trial in Jerusalem to his crucifixion at Golgotha.

The annual Community Cross Walk and Good Friday Service starts at 10 a.m. at the .

The community is invited to take part in the Good Friday procession leaving from the Foursquare Church and walking a 1.5-mile route to the where a free lunch of finger foods will be served.

Participants will pray for local businesses, city officials, schools, the fire and sheriff's departments, the homeless and others, and take turns carrying a cross along the route.

The Good Friday service, starting at noon in the First Baptist Church sanctuary, features local pastors reflecting on the last words of Christ on the cross.

HOLY SATURDAY

Many churches hold an Easter vigil service during the evening of Holy Saturday, offering communion and other sacraments traditional to the denomination.

An will start at 10 a.m. at the Lemon Grove Lutheran Church. This free community celebration is hosted by the Samoa Independent Full Gospel Church and features music, games, prizes and family activities. Lunch will be provided, as will cotton candy and popcorn.

EASTER SUNDAY

Easter is observed as both a religious and secular holiday. It's the day Christians believe Christ rose from the dead, but also celebrated as a welcoming of spring that is symbolized by the Easter Bunny. A spring lamb or ham dinner is traditional among families all across America. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the day.

The Samoa Independent Full Gospel Church will greet the day with a sunrise service at 5:30 a.m. at the Lemon Grove Lutheran Church. A free breakfast will follow at 7 a.m. The Lutheran church will also have an Easter worship service at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary.

Cornerstone Community Church will celebrate the Resurrection with a worship gathering that features drama, dance and a choir performance starting at 10 a.m. A children’s egg hunt on the grass at the Lemon Grove United Methodist Church will follow the service. Little ones will get a head start on the older kids. Free and open to all.

A performance called “I Met the Master” will be presented at 9 and 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Lighthouse Baptist Church.

The musical drama is taken from John 4, and follows tax collector Zacchaeus as he travels through Judea and Samaria collecting the Roman tax from the woman at the well, a blind man, and Lazarus of Bethany. Events unfold that lead him to a new-found faith, the return all his ill-gotten gains to his victims, and the resurrected Christ.