Easter Hits Big Screen
Christians around Orange County celebrated Easter Sunday in services that reflected their diversity in style and denomination.
Many chose venerable services connected to their religions’ roots.
Roy Symonds celebrated at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Corona del Mar.
“This is tradition,” said Symonds, who was born in Warwick, near Wales. “It goes back to the English Church and the Reformation in England.”
In a county where experimentation and entrepreneurship have proved popular, others tested new ground on one of the Christian calendar’s most traditional days. The state’s largest church--Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forest--inaugurated a recruiting effort, beaming its service to the Regal Cinemas at nearby Foothill Ranch Towne Center.
“This is a unique moment in the history of our church and of all churches as we reach out to more people,” said Associate Pastor Brett Eastman, noting that the idea is to make worship more accessible and less intimidating by getting out of the church building.
Other worshipers married unusual settings with age-old ritual by attending one of dozens of Easter sunrise services at places ranging from the beach to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Nearly 15,000 people filled most of the concert venue to hear the Rev. Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, which for five years has held its sunrise service at the amphitheater. Tim Niehaus of Mission Viejo reveled in the greenery and surroundings, patiently prodding his two sons during the long walk from the parking lot to the seats.
“There’s something about being united in prayer,” said Niehaus, 40, a flight test engineer for Boeing, as he explained his coming to the outdoor service to be with so many others.
Throughout the county, Roman Catholics celebrated Easter Mass and took Holy Communion, recalling the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday and celebrating his resurrection.
In Cypress, Alma O’Hanlon explained why worship on this day and at a Spanish-language service made the occasion different from other Sundays. O’Hanlon, who was born in Mexico City, attended the 1 p.m. Mass at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church with her husband, Kevin, and their two children.
“I loved this service,” she said of the Mass, which is always celebrated in Spanish. “Usually, when I go to church, it makes me anxious and I feel like leaving. I am thankful for being here and for being with my family.”
Though diversity was evident throughout the county, the sermons were often similar as pastors used the theme of the resurrection of Jesus to talk to parishioners about renewal and hope.
At St. Michael’s, the Rev. Peter D. Haynes, wearing the traditional alb and chasuble, delivered his homily to about 450 worshipers during the two morning services.
He quoted from theologians and cartoonist Charles Schulz, telling about a “Peanuts” strip in which Lucy talks about how some people on a cruise ship put their deck chair at the stern of a boat so they can see where they have been, while others put it in the bow, to see where they are going.
“People are searching to find the deck chair and, if they have it, they are looking for a place to put it where they can have a fuller perspective on life,” he said later. “We are so blessed with things of the world, but the spirit is hungry and thirsty.”
Julie Walz, a regular at the church, said she finds spiritual rejuvenation not just in the Easter service but in all the events of Holy Week, which began on Palm Sunday.
“I love the liturgy,” she said. “It is very much tied to events of 2,000 years ago.”
Walz, of San Clemente, talked about Maundy Thursday, which celebrates the Last Supper. The tradition at St. Michael’s includes a washing of feet, to commemorate Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet.
“It is a very humbling experience to wash someone else’s feet,” she said.
At Saddleback Community Church, about 9,000 worshipers--whether at the theater or at the church’s nearby campus--heard the Rev. Rick Warren speak about the need for those in pain and the heartbroken to get on with their lives.
Warren, dressed in blue slacks and a Hawaiian shirt, delivered his sermon twice Sunday in a football-field-sized tent seating more than 5,000. His message was broadcast to the church, which seats 3,000, and also to the movie theater about three miles away.
“Jesus Christ wants to set you free from the pain of your past,” he said. “Let God settle the score. . . . You get on with your life.”
The church is starting an experiment at the cinemas this weekend, hoping to attract people with a more casual way to worship and gather. It will begin advertising the program this week and, if it is successful, expand it elsewhere in Orange County, Eastman said.
“We want to have an option for people,” Associate Pastor Brad Johnson said. “The food court is here. There are some people who still might be hesitant to come to a church building.”
At the cinema, about 40 people attended the 9 a.m. service, which was broadcast to two of the screens. The church set aside one of the theaters for families and the other for people who aren’t married.
Kenny Beresford of Lake Forest, who attends Saddleback regularly, was one of those in the theater for singles.
“You know everyone here is single,” he said. “As Pastor Rick said, ‘You don’t have to look for a ring.’ ”
