This Sunday, April 20, is when the "Chreasters" go to church. The slang term combining the words Christmas and Easter refers to those who attend church twice a year.
Across the country and religions, Easter Sunday is known as a high attendance day for churches. Whether it's a "Sonrise" service that gets you out of bed and into your Sunday best, or the keiki activities, music, potlucks or people – there's usually something for everyone!
Hereʻs how a few Oʻahu churches are planning to celebrate "the greatest story ever told" this year:
Word of Life Christian Center says on its website, "Come experience powerful worship, a message that speaks to your heart, and people who are all about promoting your progress and joy in believing."
- Services (in-person and live online) start Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m., and pickup again Sunday morning at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Childcare will be available for nursery to elementary-age kids, who "will encounter the transforming love of God."
New Hope Oʻahu will be at the Blaisdell Arena on Saturday, April 19, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 20, at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m, according to its website. Good Friday services will be held at the ministry center at Sand Island on Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m. "Join us for a time of worship, communion, and an encouraging message by Pastors Scott Hogle and Pastor Richard Waialeale," the church said.
- For all services, there will be multiple ways to watch online, as well as translation services for American Sign Language, Chinese and Japanese.
- Facepainting, balloon animals, Easter egg hunts and more will be available for keiki.
Easter Sunrise Service at Pūowaina will be celebrating 124 years of putting on its ecumenical service at Punchbowl. "All are welcome to join the wider Christian community in celebrating Easter on Sunday, April 20, 6:15 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ("Punchbowl") in Honolulu!" organizers wrote on Facebook.
A message will be prepared by Kahu Kenneth Makuakāne of Kawaiahaʻo Church of the Hawai‘i Conference UCC, with music from the Royal Hawaiian Band, among other groups.
Aloha State Daily reached out to Kawaiahaʻo Church for additional comment.
Know of other Hawaiʻi-based churches or organizations going big for Easter this year, let me know at the email below.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
