What is Easter?

Easter is traditionally a very important celebration in the U.S. Like Christmas, many people go to church to celebrate, and children love this time of year when their parents (a.k.a. the Easter Bunny) hide colored eggs (real or plastic, filled with candy) and make baskets for them filled with chocolate candy, fake grass, and colored eggs. The celebration is one week long, starting with "Palm Sunday," a day celebrating Jesus as King. On Thursday, many people go to church to think about Jesus' last meal with his friends before he was arrested. Friday is called "Good Friday" because Jesus' death is "good news." Both Thursday and Friday are somber services and many people go to church to think about the meaning of Jesus' death. Some people also go to church on Saturday night and stay until very late when the service suddenly goes from serious to excited and joyful as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Early Sunday morning there are sometimes "sunrise" services in a park to celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead. These are casual and happy. Finally, Easter culminates with a very happy service with lots of special music. Afterward, even families with no church connection will have a special family meal. Sometime on the weekend, families often color hard-boiled eggs and parents or friends hide them and/or baskets filled with candy in the house or outdoors (if nice weather) for children to search for. Many people say just for fun, "The Easter Bunny hid the eggs."

We want to share this event with you! You are welcome at any or ALL of these activities! You do not have to be a member of the Christian faith to experience this important American tradition (like Christmas).

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Events

Sunday Morning Easter Service
DATE: March 27
TIME & PLACE:
Feeling adventurous? Try a "sunrise service" early in the morning!
(See Below)
Or try Covenant Community (see below)

What to expect: Lots of good singing, people greeting each other, and a talk from a minister about Easter's meaning are the main things. You don't have to be a Christian to visit a church.

7:30 am — Sunrise Service, Rittenhouse Square (free Pancakes at 10th Presbyterian at 17th and Spruce afterward). Usually an outdoor service in a park, right around sunrise because that's when Jesus rose from the dead. It's a very happy service and is very casual so you stay WARM!

After that, there are quite a few options. You can go to 10th Presbyterian (formal, orchestra, business casual at 9 or 11 a.m., go early to get a seat). Or head over to Covenant Community Church (small, guitar music, informal dress, starts at 10 a.m., 4115 Baltimore--meets at the City School).


Traditional Easter Dinner
DATE & TIME: March 27, 4:30pm
PLACE: Sarah's house
RSVP: Sarah

​Traditional Easter egg hunt (great for kids!), lamb dinner, followed by Easter singing.