A weekend of reflection for Lodi Christians
Lodi churches celebrate Easter weekend
On Friday evening, members of St. Anne’s Catholic Church trickled into the sunny plaza. They waited as the fountain chimed in the background, chatting among themselves about their plans for the Easter weekend.
Then, the doors opened and they poured into the church, where a swath of red fabric covered the Crucifix.
Then, a priest led them on a journey through the 14 Stations of the Cross — which focus on the events of Jesus Christ’s last day.
The Good Friday service was one of several in Lodi on Friday, including a gathering of more than a dozen congregations at noon at Lodi First United Methodist Church, a Taize ritual where participants place votive candles on the cross at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, and a candlelit, musical service at First Baptist Church of Lodi.
Good Friday leads into a weekend of solemn reflection for Lodi’s Christians, as they commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Christian tradition, Jesus Christ, the son of God, was crucified and died on Good Friday, then resurrected on the third day, Easter Sunday. (Hebrew counting in inclusive, so Friday is considered the first day.)
Christians celebrate Easter both because Jesus died for their sins, and because he was resurrected.
Dozens of churches in Lodi and the surrounding area will hold Saturday vigil and Easter Sunday services this weekend.
EASTER SERVICES Sunrise Service
LODI — Parishioners from several churches in Lodi will gather at 6 a.m. Sunday at the Amphitheater at Lodi Lake. There, they will join Lodi First Baptist Church in a sunrise Easter service to remember the Jesus’ sacrifice. The community is invited to attend.
St. Peter Lutheran Church
LODI — St. Peter Lutheran Church will hold Easter services at 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday. A free Easter egg hunt and breakfast will be held at 9:15 a.m. St. Peter Lutheran Church is located at 2400 Oxford Way. For more information call 209-3332223.
Emanuel Lutheran Church
LODI — Easter Sunday services at Emanuel Lutheran Church will begin with a SON rise Celebration at 6 a.m., a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10:30 a.m., and a worship celebration at 8:15
a.m. An Easter egg hunt will follow at 10 a.m. and the second worship celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Emanuel Lutheran Church is located at 1540 W. Lodi Ave.
St. Anne’s Catholic Church
LODI — St. Anne’s Catholic Church will hold a bilingual Easter Vigil at 8 p.m. Saturday. There will be four Easter Mass services on Sunday; English services will be at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., and Spanish services will be at 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There will be no 6 p.m. Mass this weekend. St. Anne’s Catholic Church is at 215 W. Walnut St.
Temple Baptist Church
LODI — Temple Baptist will hold several services on Sunday to celebrate Easter. A 6 a.m. Sunrise Service will celebrate the discovery of Jesus’ resurrection. Additional services will be held at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Temple Baptist Church is located at 801 S. Lower Sacramento Road.
First United Methodist Church
LODI — First United Methodist Church will hold Easter worship services at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday. The message is “Look for the Living.” The Chancel Choir will provide music. At 9 a.m. Easter brunch will be available.
A floral cross will be decorated. At 9:30 a.m. there will be an Easter egg hunt for children. The church is located at 200 W. Oak St. in Lodi.
Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist
LODI — A Celtic Easter Vigil and Eucharist will be held at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist on Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m. A Sunday service, reception and Easter egg hunt will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist is at 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Road.
United Congregational Christian Church
LODI — United Congregational Christian Church will be offering Easter Worship at 10:20 a.m. in our sanctuary, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt on United’s grounds. The open and affirming church is open to all in the community and is located at 701 S. Hutchins St.
The Home Church
LODI — Celebrate Easter at the Home Church. Hear Dr. Pollock’s powerful message, “What Jesus Nailed to the Cross” on Easter Sunday at 10:30 a.m. There will be live music, a special celebration for children and free coffee and bagels after the service. The Home Church is
located at 11451 N. West Lane.
Cornerstone Church
LODI — Cornerstone Church will hold its Easter Celebration Service at 10 a.m. Sunday. The service will be followed by an Easter egg hunt for the children and brunch for everyone. Cornerstone Church is located at 1230 S. Central Ave.
Bear Creek Community Church
LODI — Easter services will be held at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday at Bear Creek Community Church, 11171 N. Lower Sacramento Road.
Mater Ecclesiae Catholic Church
THORNTON — A bilingual Easter Vigil service will commence at 8 p.m. Saturday at Mater Ecclesiae. Spanish Easter Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m., and English Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Mater Ecclesiae is at 26500 Sacramento Blvd.
St. Francis Anglican Church
STOCKTON — St. Francis Anglican Church, which is located at 1625 N. Lincoln Street in the rear of Methodist Church in Stockton, will offer the Great Vigil of Easter at 7 p.m. Saturday, and Easter Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.