April 1, 2006

Places of worship in the Kyrene Corridor will be busy in the coming weeks, with Passover, Good Friday and Easter just around the corner.

First will be Passover, on April 13, a Jewish holiday that celebrates the departure and freedom of Israelites from their ancient Egyptian rulers.

To commemorate the occasion, Temple Emanuel will be holding a series of traditional services.

Temple Emanuel-- Three Seders, which are special services traditionally held on the first night of Passover, will be held leading up to and on the first night of Passover.

Temple Emanuel will hold its annual interfaith Seder on April 5 at 6:30 p.m., which includes dinner and a service for people of any faith. This Seder looks to educate anyone interested about Passover.

On April 9 at 4 p.m., there will be a women’s Seder.

Finally, on the first night of Passover, Temple Emanuel will be holding its second night community Seder at 5 p.m.

Temple Emanuel is located at 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe and can be reached at (480) 838-1414.

The day after Passover is Good Friday, the Christian holiday tied directly to Easter on April 14. On Good Friday, Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Later, on April 16, Christians celebrate Easter, revered by many as the single most important holiday in the Christian religion. Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus and in turn is celebrated by churches. Many churches hold Easter egg hunts for the children in addition to their service. This practice has derived from the Christian belief that life comes from an egg, making it a symbol of the resurrection of Christ.

With a wide array of churches available in the area, each has its own unique plans for the two days.

Arizona Community Church-- A Good Friday service, including communion at 7 p.m.

The next day there will be an “Easter Egg Extravaganza” for kids up to fifth grade.

On Easter Sunday, the church will hold three services, 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. The first two services are blended and more traditional in terms of the music, while the latter is more contemporary, incorporating a worship team and band.

Arizona Community is located at 9325 S. Rural Road, Tempe, and can be contacted at (480) 491-2210.

Christ Life Church-- Christ Life will be holding an Easter Sunday celebration with sermon. Planners have scheduled special music by the children as well as the full choir performing special Easter songs. Two services will be held, one at 8:30 a.m., another at 10:45 a.m.

Christ Life Church is located at 1137 E. Warner Road, Tempe,  and can be contacted at (480) 777-9803.

The Crossing Community Church-- The Crossing, a church subject of a recent article in Wrangler News, holds more original plans for the upcoming days.

The church will not hold a Good Friday service, just its regular 10:30 a.m. service.

Rather than dedicate a service to the traditional meanings of the days, The Crossing has an unconventional approach.

“Theme of the service that week is CSI—the idea of examining the evidence,” Senior Pastor Mike Harper said.

The church will encourage its visitors to investigate themselves the proof of God, Harper said.

The Crossing is located at 2542 W. Warner Road, Chandler, and can be contacted by phone at (480) 897-2828.

Desert Springs Assembly of God Church

Desert Springs will not conduct a special service for Good Friday but will hold an Easter Sunday service at 10 a.m. Following the service, there will be an Easter egg hunt for the children.

If you are interested in attending the Easter Sunday service, Desert Springs requests you meet at Hull Elementary, 2424 E. Maren Drive, Chandler. The church can be reached at (480) 726-0399.

Corona Baptist Church-- Corona Baptist will be holding a special Easter drama, titled “Who Will Call Him King of Kings?” The performance will run April 13, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. each night.

The church will also be holding three Easter Sunday services. The first service will be at 6 a.m. around the gazebo, another at 8 a.m. in the sanctuary and finally a 10:30 a.m. service, also in the sanctuary. Bible study classes will also be held for all ages at 9 a.m.

Corona Baptist is at 4450 W. Ray Road, Chandler, and can be contacted at (480) 838-4040.

Chandler United Methodist Church-- Chandler United will hold Stations of the Cross at 12 p.m. on Good Friday.

On Easter Sunday, a special service will be held at the site of the church’s future home at 6:30 a.m. at 450 E. Chandler Heights Road.

Following the sunrise service, there will be a breakfast at the church’s social hall at 251 W. Chandler Blvd. at 7:30 a.m.       The day’s events will end with Sunday worship at 9 a.m. in the church sanctuary.