Easter Events From Simple to Spectacular

Churches around Orange County are gearing up for Easter celebrations, which will range from simple homilies, hymns and sanctuaries lined with fresh lilies to million-dollar productions, high-tech innovations and full orchestras.

Many churches are offering sunrise services, and others are scheduling the rites throughout the day to accommodate as many people as possible.

Saddleback Valley Community Church is trying something new: beaming live video of the services via satellite to a number of Edwards Theaters so more folks can view the popular 9:45 a.m. services on movie screens near them.

In preparing for Easter, which falls on Saddleback’s 20th anniversary this year, the Lake Forest church also has rented a tent that will accommodate 7,000 more people beyond the 3,000 that can be seated in the worship center.

Saddleback, which offers services to more than 15,000 worshipers most weekends, calls itself California’s biggest church.

Known for their high-tech savvy, Saddleback officials also have put together a CD-ROM about their church that they plan to give to everyone who attends Easter services. And video clips about the church have been sent to all church members who have e-mail so they can pass them along as a way to invite unchurched friends, Saddleback teaching pastor Lee Strobel said.

Elsewhere, one of the best-known Easter celebrations, the 17th annual “The Glory of Easter,” will run through April 22 at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.

The spectacular “Glory” celebration, which costs more than $1 million to produce, tells the story of Jesus’ final days on Earth with special effects, a cast of hundreds, flying angels and a menagerie of animals, including a Bengali tiger. The cost for tickets is $20 to $30. Ticket and show-time information is available at (714) 544-5679. .

In addition, the Rev. Robert Schuller will hold eight different Easter services in the cathedral, 12141 Lewis St. Information: (714) 971-4000.

Mariners Church in Irvine will have five Easter services, each featuring a 150-voice choir and a 20-piece orchestra, at 5001 Newport Coast Drive. Information: (949) 854-7030, Ext. 413.

The South Coast Christian Assembly in San Juan Capistrano will present an Easter celebration with a choir, orchestra and a play at 6 tonight and Sunday at 31501 Avenida Los Cerritos. Admission is free. Information: (949) 240-4777.

At Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Hills, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the newly refurbished sanctuary at 11:30 a.m. Sunday after the late worship service. Afterward, the church will hold a barbecue and Easter egg hunt for children. The church is at 24301 El Toro Road. Information: (949) 837-2323.

At the South Shores Church in Monarch Beach, an Easter “Eggstravaganza” is planned from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, to include crafts, games, an Easter story set in a makeshift tomb, and petting zoo. The event is free at the church, 32712 Crown Valley Parkway.

Secular organizations are also hosting Easter-oriented celebrations.

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., will hold its seventh annual Spring Sp”EGG”tacular from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. There will be tables throughout the zoo featuring animals that lay eggs. Children will be able to do crafts and plant seeds along with visits from the Easter Bunny. The event is free with admission to the zoo, $4 or $2 for seniors and children 3 to 12. Information: (714) 953-8555.

There also will be a Spring Extravaganza and pancake breakfast at Boisseranc Park on April 22, sponsored by the Buena Park Recreation Department. A parade and bonnet-making will be featured. The breakfast, from 9 to 11 a.m., is $3. Other activities will begin at 10 a.m. The park is at 7520 Dale St. in Buena Park.

Other Holy Week observances being held around Orange County include:

* The Music Department of South Coast Christian Assembly will present “South Coast Easter Celebration” with choir, orchestra and drama at 6 p.m. today and Sunday. The group meets at 31501 Avenida Los Cerritos, San Juan Capistrano. (949) 240-4777.

* St. Andrew Church will offer Holy Communion at 7 p.m. Monday through Maundy Thursday. On Good Friday there will be Adoration of the Crucified from noon to 3 p.m. Then from 3 p.m. to midnight there will be a prayer vigil. Easter Sunday services with Holy Communion will take place at 8, 9 and 11 a.m. The church is at 4050 Katella Ave., Suite 101, Los Alamitos. (562) 594-8706.

* St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church will offer English and Spanish services at 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday. A service focusing on the “Seven Last Words of Christ” will take place from noon to 2 p.m. (7 p.m. Spanish service). Easter services will be at 7 a.m. in Spanish and at 9 a.m. in English. The church is at 1510 N. Parton St., Santa Ana. (714) 542-6781.

* Fullerton First United Methodist Church will offer Easter Sunday services at 6 a.m. in Hillcrest Park on North Lemon Street, and at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. The Aldersgate Chorale will perform. The church is at 114 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton. (714) 871-4115.

* Pastor Glen Miller will speak on “In What Would You Be Caught Dead?” at 8 and 11 a.m. Easter Sunday at Placentia United Methodist Church. The church is at 2050 N. Valencia Ave., Placentia. (714) 528-1483.

* The Rev. “Kass” Kassouni will give the message “Here Comes Jesus!” at 5 p.m. today and at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday at Geneva Presbyterian Church of Laguna Hills. The Children’s Choirs will perform. A Maundy Thursday Communion service will take place at 5 p.m, and a Good Friday service will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Easter services will be offered at 5 p.m. April 22 and at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Easter Sunday. The church is at 24301 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills. (949) 837-2323.

* Christ Our Redeemer AMA Church will offer Easter Sunday services at 6 and 11 a.m. International gospel recording artists Ricky Grundy, Shriley Massie and the COR Chorale will sing. Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. The church is at the Social Service Plaza Building at UCI, Irvine. (877) 426-7263. .Web site at www.corchurch.org.

* An Easter celebration dinner will take place at 7 p.m. April 28 at St. Matthew’s Traditional Episcopal Church. A message and discussion will be led by Father Scarlett. The church is at 1723 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 646-1152.

* Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church will offer Good Friday services at noon and 7:30 p.m. (Tenebrae service). Easter Sunday services will take place at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. There will be an Easter egg hunt at 9:45 a.m. The church is at 30071 Ivy Glenn, Laguna Niguel. (949) 249-1218.

* Laguna Presbyterian Church will present a children’s program at 9 a.m. Palm Sunday, plus an additional service at 10:30 a.m. Maundy Thursday services will be at 7 p.m. and a Good Friday meditation service will be held at noon. The church is at 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. (949) 494-7555.

* Redeemer Lutheran Church will host Maundy Thursday services at 7:30 p.m. and Good Friday services at 7:30 p.m. An Easter vigil will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 22. Easter Sunday services will be offered at 6:30, 8 and 11 a.m. The church is at 16351 Springdale St., Huntington Beach. (714) 846-6330.

* Palm Sunday services, featuring the Rev. Alan Landes preaching on “Jesus: Signed, Sealed and Delivered,” will take place at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church. Maundy Thursday communion will be offered at 7:30 p.m. and Good Friday services will be at 1 p.m. Easter Sunday services will take place at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. The church is at 13922 N. Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-6837.

* The Garden Church of Anaheim Hills will offer Easter Sunday services at 6 and 10 a.m. A freewill offering will be taken. The church is at 8712 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim Hills. (714) 282-1899.

* Mariners South Coast Church will offer Good Friday services at 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. Members have had an opportunity to nail their burdens, written on note cards, to a seven-foot wooden cross. Easter services will take place at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. April 22 and at 8, 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. Easter Sunday. A 150-voice Easter choir and 20-piece orchestra will perform. The church is at 5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine. (949) 854-7600.

* Dave Myers, author of “The American Paradox” will speak during services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Palm Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral. Musical guest will be Cynthia Wilson. The Revs. Robert H. and Robert A. Schuller will lead Easter services at 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and at noon, 1 and 6 p.m. on Easter Sunday. The church is at 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

* Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Parish Church will present gospel singer Carver Cossey in concert at 7:30 p.m. Good Friday and at 10 a.m. April 30. There will be an Easter vigil and dessert reception at 7:30 p.m. April 22. Easter Sunday “Festival Choral Eucharist” services will be at 8 and 10 a.m. The church is at 3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar. (949) 644-0463.

* Passion/Palm Sunday services will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Garden Grove. On Holy Thursday, there will be a service of Communion and Darkness at 7:30 p.m. Good Friday “Walk the Way of the Cross” services will take place at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. between St. Anselm’s of Canterbury Episcopal, St. Columban’s Roman Catholic, United Methodist of Garden Grove and First Presbyterian Churches. Church members will walk between churches following a wooden cross carried by church representatives. On Easter Sunday, the United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will host an Easter sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunday at the Festival Amphitheatre. The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

* St. Matthew Ecumenical Old Catholic Church will present the life and death of Jesus through the eyes of women disciples at 7 p.m. Tuesday. There will be a service of Liturgy and Renewal at 7 p.m. Wednesday and a Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m. Thursday. An Ecumenical Good Friday Liturgy will be offered at 7 p.m. There will be an Easter vigil Mass from 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 22. Easter Sunday services will be offered at 8, 9:15 and 11 a.m. The church is at 1111 Town and Country Road, Orange. (714) 647-1007.

* St. John’s Episcopal Church and School will offer Palm Sunday services at 8:15 and 10 a.m. Maundy Thursday services will take place at 8:25 a.m. and 7 p.m. Good Friday services will be at noon and 7 p.m. There will be a Baptism of Children at 5 p.m. and a Great Easter vigil at 8 p.m. on April 22. On Easter Sunday, there will be services at 8 and 10 a.m. The church is at 30382 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita. (949) 858-5144.

* A free Easter egg hunt will be held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection at 10 a.m. April 22. Children to age 11 are invited to participate. The church is at 9812 Hamilton Ave., Huntington Beach. (714) 962-5005.

* The Sunday school children of Laguna Beach United Methodist Church will present the pageant “The Tale of Three Trees” during the 8:30 and 10 a.m. Palm Sunday services. The church is at 21632 S. Wesley Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 499-3088.

* Palm Sunday services will be celebrated at 5 p.m. this evening and at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday at San Clemente Presbyterian Church. Maundy Thursday services will take place at 7:30 p.m., with Good Friday services also occurring at 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday services, featuring the Rev. Tod Bolsinger speaking on “The Power of the Lamb,” will take place at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. The church is at 119 Avenida de la Estrella. (949) 492-6158.

* St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church will offer Palm Sunday services at 7:45, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. A Maundy Thursday service will occur at 7 p.m. On Good Friday, there will be services at 10 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Easter Sunday services will be offered at 7:45, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. The church is at 31641 La Novia, San Juan Capistrano. (949) 661-0110.

* Red Hill Lutheran Church will offer Maundy Thursday services at noon and 7 p.m., as well as Good Friday services at noon, 5 and 7 p.m. Easter Sunday services will take place at 8, 9:30 and 11 p.m. The church is at 13200 Red Hill Ave., Tustin. (714) 544-3131.

* An Easter Cantata “How Great Thou Art” will be presented at 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. Palm Sunday at Placentia Presbyterian Church. The church is at 849 N. Bradford Ave., Placentia. (714) 528-1438.

* The Salvation Army Tustin Ranch Church will offer a Good Friday service at noon and a “Praise Works!” Easter Celebration at 6 p.m. April 22. Easter Sunday services will take place at 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. There will be a community breakfast at 9:30 a.m. The church is at 10200 Pioneer Road, Tustin. (714) 832-7100.

* The Liberty Baptist Choir will present the Easter musical “Then Came the Morning. . .” at 7 p.m. Good Friday and at 6 p.m. Easter Sunday at Liberty Baptist Church. An Easter morning breakfast buffet will be served at 9:45 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. The church is at 5108 Bonita Canyon Road, Irvine. (949) 854-9000. Web sit at www.libertybaptistchurch.org.

* Calvary Baptist Church will offer Easter Sunday services at 6 a.m. at the Santiago Canyon College parking lot and at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. in the worship center. The church is at 1524 W. First St., Santa Ana. (714) 543-8211.

* The Rev. Chris Schriner will give the message “Earth’s Rebirth: Easter as if the Whole World Mattered” at 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. A “Pathways of Understanding” program will be offered from 7 to 9:30 p.m. April 26. The center is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4568.

* Trinity Lutheran Church will offer a Palm Sunday service at 9 a.m., Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services at 7 p.m. and Easter Sunday services at 6:15, and 9 a.m. An Easter Sunday breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. The church is at 902 S. Broadway, Santa Ana. (714) 997-7867.

* A dramatic presentation “Were You There?” will occur during Maundy Thursday services at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Santa Ana. A potluck dinner will take place at 6 p.m. Good Friday services will be offered at noon and 3 p.m. Easter Sunday services will be at 10 a.m. There will be a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. The church is at 2555 N. Santiago Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 639-0311.

* Central Baptist Church will present a musical celebration of Christ’s resurrection at 6 p.m. Easter Sunday. The event will feature the church’s adult choir and orchestra. The church is at 7661 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach. (714) 848-5511.

* St. Timothy Catholic Church will present a Good Friday “Cross Walk” from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Members will carry a cross in a processional for approximately a mile along Crown Valley Parkway. The church is at 29102 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel. (949) 495-4126.

* The Concordia University choir, Irvine Concert Choir and Lutheran Chorale will perform Handel’s “Messiah” at 8 p.m. this evening at 4 p.m. Palm Sunday at the Concordia University Center for Worship and the Performing Arts. Tickets are $7 or $5 for students and seniors. The university is at 1530 Concordia West, Irvine. (949) 854-8002.

* Rock Harbor Church will host a community “Resurrection Weekend” at 7 and 9 p.m. Good Friday and 9 and 11 a.m Easter Sunday at the Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The event will be led by pastor Keith Page. A Children’s program will be offered at 6 p.m Friday. (949) 548-2600. Web site at www.rockharbor.org.

* The Rev. Gwen Ehrenborg, founder of the “Living Witness” drama troupe, will present “Mary of Galilee” at 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday at the United Methodist Church of Yorba Linda. Ehrenborg will present the life of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. The church is at 19002 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. (714) 777-2885.

* The worship drama group of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church will present a drama depicting the last week of Jesus’ life on Earth at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. There will be time for prayer and meditation from noon to 1 p.m. Good Friday. On Easter Sunday, services will be offered at 6:30, 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. The church is at 11600 Los Alamitos Blvd., Los Alamitos. (562) 493-2553.

* The Rev. Karen Stoyanoff will lead a “Celebrate Spring” Intergenerational Easter service at 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. An Easter egg hunt will follow. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

* Coast Hills Community Church will offer Good Friday communion services at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. An Easter Sunday sunrise service will take place at 6:30 p.m. Additional services will occur at 8, 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. and noon. The church is at 5 Pursuit, Aliso Viejo. (949) 362-0079. Web site at www.coasthillsresources.com.

* The Rev. Tod D. Brown, Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange, will lead Palm Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Family Cathedral. There will be an Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m. on Holy Thursday. Stations of the Cross will occur at noon on Good Friday, followed by the Lord’s Passion at 1:15 p.m. A Great Easter Vigil will be held at 8 p.m. April 22. Then on Easter Sunday, Brown will celebrate the Easter Stational Mass at 9:30 a.m. The church is at 566 S. Glassel St., Orange. (714) 639-2900.

* Unity Church of Tustin will offer services at 9 and 11 a.m. Palm Sunday, followed by a Barly festival celebration and Passover meal at 1 p.m. ($5 for adults; $2 for children). A Maundy Thursday service will take place at 7 p.m. The Holy Spirit Prayer and Healing Ministry will present a Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. The Rev. Debra Inanna Jardan and Brother Michael will conduct “The Waters of Life Service” at 7 p.m. April 22. Easter Sunday services will be offered at 6, 9 and 11 a.m. The church is at 14402 Prospect Ave., Tustin. (714) 730-3444.

* Gil Amelio will perform the one-man act “The Face of Christ” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science. The church is at 2205 Main St., Huntington Beach. (714) 969-1331.

* Pastor Margaret Duttera of Christ Lutheran Baptist Church will give the message “New Life in Christ Every Day” during services at 6 and 8 a.m. Easter Sunday at North Beach, San Clemente (at the foot of Avenida Pico). An additional service will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services will be offered at 7:30 p.m. The church is at 820 W. Imperial Highway, Brea. (714) 529-2984.

* Intern minister Carol Rudisill will lead Palm Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, #7, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

* Bethel Baptist Church will present the Easter Cantata “When All is Said and Done” at 7 p.m. Good Friday and at 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday. The Bethel Baptist Church choir and drama team will perform. The church is at 901 S. Euclid St., Santa Ana. (714) 839-3600.

* The Rev. James Shimota will lead Procession of Palms services at 7:45 and 9:45 a.m. Palm Sunday at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. A Service of Foot Washing will be offered at 7:30 p.m. A Service of Shadows will take place at 7:30 p.m. Good Friday. Easter Sunday services will take place at 7:45 and 9:45 a.m. The church is at 5895 Ball Road, Cypress. (714) 527-6311.

* The Rev. Tari Lennon will give the message “A Sanctuary for Those in Danger” at 10 a.m. Palm Sunday at Neighborhood Congregational Church. A Labyrinth walking meditation will be open from 6 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and from noon to 5 p.m Good Friday. An Easter Sunday service will take place at 10 a.m. The church is at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 494-8061.

* The Rev. Steve Petty will give the message “How to Follow Jesus” at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Palm Sunday at St. Andrew Church. A Maundy Thursday Potluck and Seder will take place at 6 p.m. A $1 donation is requested. “Good Friday Tennebrae” will be offered at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday services will occur at 6:30, 8:30 and 10 a.m. The church is at 4050 Katella Ave., Suite 101, Los Alamitos. (562) 594-8706.

* Newly appointed pastor David Monge will preach during Easter Sunday services at 6:30 and 9:15 a.m. at Newport Harbor Lutheran Church. The Church is at 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 548-3631.

* The Rev. James E. Bodman will give the message “Remembering Palm Sunday” at 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday at Unitarian Church of Orange County. Bodman’s message will be “How Did the Easter Faith Arise?” at 10:30 Easter Sunday. The church is at 511 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. (714) 758-1050.

* Macedonian Christian Fellowship Church will host “Seven Last Words From the Cross of Jesus Christ” at 7 p.m. Good Friday at Wood Canyon Elementary school. The program will feature the Voices of Macedonia and a surprise special guest. The school is at 23431 Knollwood, Aliso Viejo. (949) 597-0700. Wed site at www.mcfellowship.org.