Metro Denver churches prepare for Easter

Christian congregations around the world are amid Holy Week observances leading up to Easter, which is March 27 this year.

“Holy Week and Easter are cornerstones of our Christian faith. The events of Holy Week define who we are and why we follow Jesus Christ,” said Monsignor Tom Fryar of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. “Good Friday is a time to remember the suffering of Jesus and Easter is the time to celebrate the resurrection.”

St. Thomas More is one of the largest Catholic churches in the south metro area. The church at 8035 S. Quebec St., Centennial, began its Holy Week observances on March 20, Palm Sunday.

On March 26, the vigil of Easter is planned.

“The church is in darkness and we start outside where there is a fire,” Fryar said. “We light our candles from the fire and bring light into the church. It is a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus overcoming the darkness of sin.”

On Easter Sunday, St. Thomas More will celebrate Mass at 10 different times, starting at 6:30 a.m.

T.J. Harris is pastor of Mosaic Church at 4101 S. Lincoln St., Englewood. He said the church tries to plan activities that reach out with additional blessings to the community. He said the blessings planned this year include an egg hunt March 26 at 10 a.m. at Cherrelyn Elementary School, 4550 S. Lincoln St. Harris said 10,000 eggs will be spread around the area for an event that is free and open to the public.

“Like most churches, we have a lot people at our Easter services,” he said. “We plan to use drama, dance, painting and video in this year’s services as we try to connect people to God in ways they have never experienced before.”

One of the largest Easter services is the sunrise service held at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison.

“I have attended the sunrise services at Red Rocks the last two years,” said Wheat Ridge resident Anna Torres. “It is such a wonderful, inspirational service. Singing and praying as the sun rises reminds us of what Easter and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus means.”

The event is sponsored and organized by the Colorado Council of Churches. There are 22 churches joining forces for this year’s event, including Arvada United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church of Englewood and St. Luke United Methodist Church of Highlands Ranch.

This marks the 69th year for the Red Rocks event. Last year, the sunrise service drew a record 14,000 people, and an additional 7,000 watched online.

Parking and admission are free. Gates open at 4:30 a.m., with services beginning at 6 a.m. and usually lasting about an hour.

Not all Christian churches celebrate Easter this year on March 27. Orthodox congregations like those who attend St. Herman Orthodox Church at 991 W. Prentice Ave., Littleton, will celebrate Easter on May 1.

“The Orthodox Church adopted a modified calendar which includes our way to set the date for Lent, Holy Week and Easter,” Father John Armstrong of St. Herman explained.

Armstrong said the services Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Holy Week are focused on marking the death and resurrection of Jesus. There is a Good Friday with the church draped in dark colors and the doors to the altar closed. On Saturday at midnight, the congregation gathers to celebrate the resurrection. The nighttime service includes marching three times around the church and, when the worship is over, moving to the fellowship hall for a feast.