Maricopa hopping with Easter events

For those looking for something to do with family on Easter Sunday, several Maricopa churches have special events planned for the day.

Our Lady of Grace Parish will hold a solemn celebration of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday at 3 p.m. in English and 7:30 p.m. in Spanish and an Easter vigil in English will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Easter Sunday Mass in English will be at 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and in Spanish at 12:30 p.m. For information call (520) 568-4605.

Calvary Chapel invites everyone to attend the 3rd Annual “Son-Rise Service in the Park” at Pacana Park on Easter Sunday. The event starts at 7 a.m. and will feature special musical guest Steve Grace. Continental breakfast will also be served.

Those not able to make it at sunrise are invited to join church members at the regularly scheduled service at 10 a.m., held at Santa Rosa Elementary School at 21400 Santa Rosa Dr. Childcare will be provided during the service for those under the age of 5. For information call (520) 568-5400.

Another family-friendly event will occur at the Church of Celebration, which will host three Easter egg hunts for children, one after each service. The services will be held at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11 a.m. at 44009 W. Magnolia Road. For information call (520) 494-7714.

Community of Hope Church will offer Easter services at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at Pima Butte Elementary, 42202 W. Rancho El Dorado Parkway. For information call (520) 252-6381.

First Baptist Church of Maricopa will host its special Easter Cantata, called “In Christ Alone,” at 10:30 a.m. at 18705 N. John Wayne Parkway. For information call (520) 568-2272.

Another Easter service will occur early Sunday morning, but this one is scheduled for 5:30 a.m. and hosted by Higher Ground Christian Fellowship. A Continental breakfast will be offered directly afterward. The church also has an Easter service at 9:30 a.m. at 16560 N. Crested Butte Road. For information call (520) 509-4440.

Walk By Faith Empowerment Center will hold its Easter Service at 2 p.m. Sunday at Maricopa High School, 45012 W. Honeycutt Ave. The service will include a presentation by the Children’s Church and a short play by the Youth Department. There will also be gift baskets for all children who attend. For information call (520) 494-2001.

Maricopa Assembly of God is hosting a “Living Last Supper” at 10:30 a.m Sunday at 20038 N. Taft Ave. The event will feature special music and is free. For information call (520) 568-4867.

Some churches are hosting Good Friday events in addition to Easter Sunday services.

Maricopa Community Church will offer a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. Then, on Easter Sunday, the church will host a sunrise service outside, starting at about 6:30 a.m. Singing and brunch will follow with an indoor Easter service at 10 a.m. at 44977 W. Hathaway Ave. For information call (520) 568-2430.

Mountain View Community Church will be rounding out the churches offering a sunrise service. Theirs will be outside at 6 a.m., with another one scheduled at 10 a.m. The services will be at 52872 W. Sunbake Lane. For information call (520) 568-2308.

Mount Moriah Community Church has several events scheduled this week. On Thursday, the church will host a Last Supper play at 7 p.m., along with foot washing and communion service. On Good Friday, there will be a Tenebrae service at 6:30 p.m, in which participants will recreate the emotions of the passion story through readings. The week of events will end Sunday with a continental breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and Easter service at 10 a.m. at 19173 N. San Pablo Street in Tortosa. For transportation assistance call a day ahead at (520) 208-5491.

Another church offering events on Good Friday is Oasis Life Church, with services at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Easter services will be held Sunday at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11 a.m. The church is located at 19756 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 108, in the Maricopa Manor Business Center. For information, call (520) 568-1542.

The local wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold Easter services at their regularly scheduled Sunday meeting times at 20565 D.R. Horton Drive and 45235 W. Honeycutt Ave, including one service in Spanish. In addition, LDS congregations will gather for a Valleywide celebration at 8 p.m. nightly through Saturday at the North Lawn of the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors’ Center, 525 E. Main Street in Mesa. For information call (480) 964-7164 or visit www.easterpageant.org. Admission is free and donations will not be accepted.

To add an event to this listing contact us at [email protected].

Photo illustration by RuthAnn Hogue