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Community Corner

Murrieta Churches Offer an Array of Easter Sunrise Services

This Sunday, local churches will celebrate their belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ with sunrise services.

Egg coloring, hunts, candy baskets and bunnies are all things that represent the Easter holiday. However, for some, Easter is not just for the candy lovers out there: there is a deep-rooted religious meaning that many hold near and dear to their hearts.

Easter, which celebrates Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead, is Christianity's most important holiday, according to History.com. Furthermore, it has been called a moveable feast because it doesn't fall on a set date every year, as most holidays do.

Instead, Christian churches in the West celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox on March 21. Therefore, Easter is observed anywhere between March 22 and April 25 every year.

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This year Easter falls on this Sunday, April 24. While there are sure to be early morning candy baskets and egg hunts, there will also be many church services for those who celebrate in a more traditional way.

Whether you want to try out a new church, find the Easter service that works best for you or aren’t sure where to go, here are a few taking place this Easter Sunday.

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1.) 

All are invited to a sunrise service at the Town Square Park amphitheater in front of the Murrieta Public Library off Adams Street. As disciples of Jesus, the church is committed to bearing witness to Jesus and the Kingdom of God by living out Core Values in the communities in which they live. Easter Services begin at 6 a.m. and regular worship will be in the sanctuary at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There will also be a pancake breakfast between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

2.)

Sunday Services begin at 7:30 a.m. to celebrate the "Resurrection of our Lord and Savior." The church recommended worshippers dress warm, as the family Easter service will be held outdoors. Located at 24225 Monroe Ave., Calvary Chapel believes there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that God created all, upholds all and governs all. For more of their beliefs, click here.

3.) 

Easter mass will be at 7:15 a.m. with additional services at  9:05 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. in the old worship center. St. Martha's is an active Christian faith community and is a parish within the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino. Over the years, the parish has been served by religious orders as well as by the priests of the diocese. They have a large diversity of parishioners. They believe that no matter what the age, culture or ethnicity we are brothers and sisters and together form the Body of Christ, the church in this place and time. They are located at 37200 Whitewood Rd.

4.) United Church of the Valley

This community church has a morning of activity planned to commemorate Easter. They will start with a Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. Sunday at the historic Community House in Historic Downtown Murrieta, 24973 Washington, across from the Post Office. They advise dressing for an outdoor service, which will be held weather permitting. The service will be followed by a sunrise breakfast at 7:45 a.m. Then at 10 a.m. the congregation will head over to its location at River Springs Charter School at 41866 Kalmia, in The Courtyards, between Adams and Washington, for formal services. The 10 a.m. service will be followed by an Easter egg hunt for kids at 11 a.m. Bring a basket and fresh-cut flowers to help transform an Easter cross.

5.)

This Sunday, join Promise Lutheran for sunrise service beginning at 6 a.m. It will be followed by an Easter Celebration at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., which includes a full worship service. "For us as Lutherans, we believe it is only Christ. We don’t accept or do anything to receive God’s grace. Christ does it for us and if we get out of the way and let Him, He will do great things through us. At the end of the day, a Lutheran can only say, 'WOW, God is so good!'”

Didn't find one to suit you yet? Click here to access Murrieta Patch's church directory.

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