This year, Easter Sunday falls on April 5, following the 40 days of Lent. In addition to Concordia’s Easter break and services, local churches in the Irvine community host special services that students can attend to celebrate Easter. 

When asked to explain from a Lutheran theological perspective, Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer, Associate Professor of Theology and Bioethics, said, “The core meaning of Easter is the promise that those who have the Spirit of Christ will one day rise bodily to glory like He did. Each time a Christian makes the sign of the cross and says the name of the Trinity, they are reminding themselves that they are baptized into Christ and the power of Easter lives inside them.”

Senior and Business finance major Nathan Stuewe said, “Easter is a celebration of God conquering sin, death and the devil. Easter is a party in Christ! It is a reminder that Jesus rose from the dead, that we might one day rise with Him.”

Kaelyn Cheney, senior, also shared what Easter means to her. “Easter was the most important day in history, and it is a joy to celebrate it each year. Without [His] resurrection from the dead, His death on the cross would not free us from the consequence of sin, death. We can rejoice because our relationship with God is restored and our sins are covered,” said Cheney.

Even with the existence of various denominations, Easter remains a unifying celebration across Christianity. 

“Someone said that Easter is the Father's ‘Amen,’ to the Son's statement from the cross, ‘It is finished,’” explained Stiegemeyer, “Christians typically worship on Sundays because our Lord rose on a Sunday morning, and we wish to commemorate that every week. That's how important it is,” 

Concordia’s abbeywest student ministries have two events that students can participate in to celebrate Easter. On Tues. March 31 at 6:30 p.m., they will have their special Passion Week service. “An artist, Tom Clark, has come the past several years (and will be here this year as well) and paints during the service,” explained Cheney. 

In addition, there will be an Easter service during Tues. chapel on April 7. 

For students looking to participate in Easter services around Irvine, Mariner’s Church and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church are local options that are hosting special events. 

Mariner’s Church is hosting events from April 2-5. On April 2 at 7 p.m., they will hold their young adult service, popular with college students. On April 3, at 5 and 7 p.m., Mariner’s is hosting their Good Friday Communion Service. They will have their Easter Fest on Sat., April 4, before their 2 p.m. service, featuring an egg “hunt” for all ages at 1 p.m., crafts, cookie decorating, food trucks and photo opportunities. They will also hold the Easter Fest after their 6 p.m. service that day.

 On Easter Sunday, Mariner’s will have services at 6:30, 8 and 10 a.m., as well as noon and 2 p.m. Their address is 5001 Newport Coast Dr Irvine, CA 92603; Mariner’s is a non-denominational, Christian church.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will also be hosting Holy Week worship. There will be services on Sun., March 29, at 8 and 10 a.m. for Palm Sunday. They will also have services at 6:30 p.m. on April 2 and 3 for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. For their Easter service, they will have both traditional and contemporary worship. Their traditional service will be held at 8 a.m. and contemporary services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Their Easter service will also have photo ops with their flower cross, as well as coffee and treats. Their address is 4800 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92604.

 

Tags: faith, community

---

About Kiara Azuma

More articles by Kiara Azuma