By George Gore Browne, Special to the Independent
The following summarizes services by the churches of Laguna Beach leading up to Easter. Also included is a selection of non-religious events associated with the holiday.
St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 1042 Temple Terrace:
Regular Saturday/Sunday mass at 5:30 p.m. will not take place. There will be a morning prayer session on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 a.m. All services take place within the church unless otherwise specified.
Monday, March 21: Chrism Mass, Christ Cathedral Campus, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22: Parish Penance Service, 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 24: Evening mass of the Lord’s supper, 7 p.m., followed by adoration of the blessed sacrament.
Friday, March 25: Solemn Liturgy, 1 and 7 p.m., the latter in Spanish; school chapel, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 26: Easter vigil, 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 27: Easter masses, 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. in Spanish.
Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave.:
Rev. Kathy Sizer will be preaching the Maundy Thursday service, with the remaining services being conducted by Rev. Jerry Tankersley. The Easter Sunday service will include instrumental music and choirs. Nursery care and Sunday school are provided. The two later services will give middle school and high school children the chance to participate in a “walking with Jesus” Easter program.
Sunday, March 20: Palm/Passion Sunday services, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. Children’s palm processional, 10 a.m.
Thursday, March 24: Maundy Thursday worship and communion service, 7 p.m.
Friday, March 25: Good Friday worship service, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 27: Easter worship services, 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 428 Park Ave.: Rev. Dr. Robert Honeychurch leads the services. The church invites the public to attend any service regardless of their affiliation. Valet parking will be available for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday services.
Sunday, March 20: Palm Sunday services, 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m
Thursday, March 24: Maundy Thursday service, 7 p.m.
Friday, March 25: Stations of the cross service, 12 p.m.; Tenebrae, a service of shadows, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 27: Easter vigil, 5:30 a.m., celebration of the resurrection, 10:30 a.m.
Little Church by the Sea, 468 Legion St.:
Friday’s service will be held in the church sanctuary. Sunday’s sunrise service will be held at the end of the fire road at Moulton Meadows Park. Pastor Jay Grant will be preaching at the sunrise service, while Pastor Jeff Tacklind will conduct the other three services.
Friday, March 25: Good Friday service, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 27: Easter sunrise service, 6:30 a.m. Easter services, 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m.
St. Francis by the Sea, 430 Park Ave.:
Friday’s way of the cross service will be presented by Rev. Jack Kearney and will include film and music. The three remaining services will be presented by Bishop Brian Delvaux.
Sunday, March 20: Passion Sunday Mass, distribution of palms, 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 24: Holy Thursday, mass of the Lord’s supper, 7 p.m.
Friday, March 25: Good Friday, way of the cross, 12 p.m.
Sunday, March 27: Easter Sunday mass, 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Laguna Beach United Methodist Church, 21632 Wesley Dr.:
Rev. Mandy Flemming leads services, which will include scripture from Luke and John.
The church hosts a 10 a.m. egg hunt Friday, March 25, at Lang Park.
Sunday, March 20: Palm Sunday, including children’s pageant, 10 a.m.
Thursday, March 24: Maundy Thursday service, seder meal, 6 p.m.
Friday, March 25: Good Friday service, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 27: Sunrise service, 6 a.m., Main Beach; Easter service, 10 a.m.
Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Dr.: Both Sunday sermons will be led by Pastor BJ Beu, his last from this pulpit. Following the Easter Sunday service, a reception will be held at Bridge Hall in his honor and will include an Easter egg hunt for the children. The Easter sunrise service will take place at the trailhead of Alta Laguna Park.
Sunday, March 20: Palm Sunday service, 10 a.m.
Sunday, March 27: Easter sunrise service, 6:30 a.m.; Easter Sunday service, 10 a.m.
Egg Hunts for Youngsters
American Legion’s annual Easter Egg Hunt takes place at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 27, on the Laguna Beach High School baseball field. Children 9 and younger are welcome to scramble for more than 1,000 colored eggs and candy. Attendee’s are encouraged to arrive at 12:30 p.m. for a photo with the Easter bunny.
Laguna Beach Parents Club also hosts a private egg hunt for club members on Easter weekend, along with music and face painting. More information is available at www.lagunabeachparents.com.
The St. Regis Monarch Beach’s Sandcastle Kid’s Club hosts Easter day activities for children 5 -12, including four egg hunts and photo opportunities with an Easter bunny.
George Gore Browne is a journalism student and Laguna Beach Independent intern.
Glad to see we are keeping our traditions, we need to see more of these events! 🙂