The Easter crowd
To acknowledge Easter, one of Christianity’s two major holidays, Reporter Veronica Catlin interviewed clergy from a cross-section of Yuba-sutter area churches. She asked them what’s special about the holiday and congregants who show up for the holidays.
The Rev. Avram Brown
The Easter celebration is the the biggest Mass of the year for St. Isidore Catholic Church.
“I think it’s pretty powerful that people feel so drawn to Jesus during the time of his most significant milestones,” said the Rev. Avram Brown. He said every year some 800 people fill the church to acknowledge Easter.
St. Isidore’s big Easter celebration will happen this evening, which is traditional for most Catholic churches. Congregations all over the nation will celebrate Saturday with baptisms, a bonfire, and the lighting of a five foot candle which is symbolic for Jesus being the light of the world. Each guest will also have an individual candle to be lit by the main candle.
“Easter service is really special,” said Brown. “So much goes into preparation. New members will be joining and everything just comes together. It’s beautiful.”
Brown isn’t bothered by the majority of people attending because it’s a holiday. He believes everyone is on their own journey and the more a person discovers the presence of Jesus it will draw them closer to the church.
St. Isidore Catholic Church is located at 222 Clark Ave., Yuba City. For more information, call 673-1573.
Pastor Carl Dorn
Pastor Carl Dorn looks forward to having a spirit-filled service Sunday, regardless of how many people show up to celebrate Easter.
“It’s all about Christ on Sunday. This is the week where Jesus went through the most suffering. He went to the cross for my sins and yours. Because of that, I now have rights to the tree of life,” Dorn said. “I don’t have any gimmicks to get more people to come. I offer the word of God. If that doesn’t hold them, I certainly can’t.”
Dorn said he acknowledges that some people may only show up to church service a few times a year and admits it bothers him. He believes a lot of people attend on Easter because of tradition rather than embracing what the day is truly about.
“I don’t feel good about it at all. People are falling away from church. We’re in the last days, but people have their own agendas. They’re looking for a feel-good message instead of the truth.”
He said that although church membership is declining, God has a way of sending people back.
“I can’t live without the church. That’s how I get revitalized week after week,” Dorn said.
Mt. Olivet Church is located at 2284 Mcgowan Parkway, Olivehurst. For more information, call 749-2834.
Pastor Ada Terry
Pastor Ada Terry said Easter Sunday gives the youth at Restoration Church the chance to experience being a part of the ministry.
“They get the opportunity to be the leaders for the day,” Terry said. “We get them involved in doing speeches, dance, and drama. It’s important they realize they don’t have to wait until they’re 18 to serve.”
She said she expects to see a larger crowd on Sunday.
“Anytime someone walks through our doors we wholeheartedly welcome them and are really glad to see them. We want everyone to feel like they have a place. Even if not with our church, any church. We’re all one body,” she said.
Terry is always happy to see new people, but believes in the importance of regular fellowship.
“Every time we come to church to fellowship, thats the time our soul is fed. Fellowship allows us to thrive, grow, develop and become whole,” Terry said. “If you only feed that spirit two times a year it leaves a person malnourished. We want people to walk in the fullness of who God called them to be. As a pastor, I’m looking at the whole part. I would die spiritually if I only ate two times a year. Our spirit has to be fed.”
Restoration Center is located at 212 Bridge St., Yuba City. For more information, call 923-6881.
The Rev. Garrett Andrew
“I’d choose to have people come out once a year than not at all,” said the Rev. Garrett Andrew. “There’s something about the 2,000-year-old story of love drowning in death. I’d rather have a chance once a year to tell the story of a God who adored them than not have a chance at all.”
Andrew said Easter service is their biggest service of the year. St. Andrew will have two services to accommodate the number of people who attend for Easter. There will also be an emphasis on music. Instead of just a piano and organ, St. Andrew will incorporate a brass praise band, folk guitarist, choirs and more into the worship service.
“This is definitely a brighter and most festive service than normal,” Andrew said.
He also mentioned that they will have a flower cross for people to come up and place flowers throughout the service.
“When people attend, I just hope they receive the message that they matter. They’re worthwhile. Even if people or the government say they don’t, they do,” Andrew said. “They tried to make Jesus feel like he didn’t matter, but he rose from the dead. He loves us and nothing we can do will stop that.”
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church is located at 1390 Franklin Road, Yuba City. For more information call 673-7353.
The Rev. Dr. Malik Jodavid Sales
“We normally see a bigger crowd on Easter given its prevalence on the calendar,” said the Rev. Dr. Malik Jodavid Sales. “I’m happy to see people in the place of worship. I think it’s important for people to be involved in the Christian community, but I’m not one to comment on people attending once or twice a year.”
Sales said that if they have visitors, there are people within the church who are assigned to reach out to them later in hopes that they’ll start attending regularly.
Bethel AME will have a normal service with an egg giveaway for children after.
Sales said the story of Easter inspires him because it’s evidence that although there’s a lot of evil in the world, it won’t have the last word. Easter is a symbol of good news and justice.
“It’s a remarkable journey that should be affirmed,” Sales said.
Bethel AME Church is located at 5710 115 Fifth St., Marysville. For more information, call 7423393.