After decorating eggs, many families hide the eggs around the yard or house, making a game out of the festivity.
The world is experiencing something unprecedented, and it is has stretched through one of the most important days of the year for the Christian faith: Easter Sunday, which marks the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Many families usually attend church during Easter, but that is not an option this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that does not mean that churches and families cannot celebrate together April 12 on Easter Sunday. Local churches have adapted to the situation and still have plenty of opportunities for families to celebrate Easter in an online format.
Mikaela Edwards, senior communication sciences and disorders major, attends Redeemer Baptist Church, which is one of many local churches popular among California Baptist University students. Edwards said her church is posting its sermons online and encouraging everyone to press play at their regular time Sunday morning while still actively participating in worship.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue participating in my church even though I am still at home. On Sundays, my home group meets remotely on Zoom and watches the service together, pressing play at the same time and singing with one another,” Edwards said.
There are more and more resources being made available for people to celebrate Easter in a community. John Montgomery, dean of Spiritual Life at CBU, said many churches have included daily devotionals on their website and additional Zoom meetings for small groups.
“My advice for families during Easter would be to celebrate it. Join in with online services for church, and if you do not have a church, find one open in the area that you may be interested in attending once this is all over. Make the most of this unique season.”
Sandals Church, also a popular church among CBU students, offers many opportunities for people to connect online. They are live-streaming their Good Friday services April 10, as well as their Easter Sunday service. Anybody can watch and get connected to the church online.
Alexis Guerrero, junior pre-nursing student, said she has been attending Sandals Church since she came to CBU. Guerrero said she is excited about Sandals’ Easter service and eager to spend Easter at home while still connecting with her church community.
“My church has done a good job sharing these times together through social media and online, which is how we will be connecting for Easter,” Guerrero said. “It is interesting to think that God prepared us for Easter this year by placing us in a culture that is so tech-savvy. We are isolated and unable to attend church, but that doesn’t limit us from reaching out to each other and hearing from God.”
