Easter Time of Hope, Fun for Kids Print E-mail
By Melissa Evans   
Sunday, April 08 2007

Easter egg hunt
From left, Meghan and Maleia Miller see what treasures are inside the Easter eggs. Photo by Bethany Burns / SBN
It’s one of the most reverent occasions of the year for Christians – and one of the sweetest times of year for youngsters of all religious varieties.

Dozens of kids flocked to Chase Palm Park Saturday morning for an Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Little hands skimmed the grass under foggy skies, hunting for eggs, toys and sugary treats.

For many of those who came Saturday, it was merely a warm-up for today’s Easter festivities at home or church.

“This is round No. 1,” said Pamela Sacks, who brought her daughter to hunt for eggs. “We’ve got lots of dyed eggs and other treats at home. . . Too much, it’s always too much.”

Easter has morphed into a secular pleasure for many people. For Christians, the significance of today runs deeper than dyed eggs and chocolate bunnies.

This past week is one of the most solemn, yet joyous and hopeful days of the year. Christians believe today marks Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, signifying his grace and sacrifice in dying for the sins of the world.

Easter egg hunt
Rose, Nico, Andrea, Joshua and Tony Gonzalez clamor for Easter eggs at Chase Palm Park. Photo by Bethany Burns / SBN
Hundreds of worshippers gathered for services at First Presbyterian Church on State and Constance streets on Good Friday, a somber occasion marking the actual crucifixion of Christ.

Seven pastors from Protestant mainline churches told the Easter story in parts by reading Bible passages and expanding on the significance of the story in today’s world.

Some even touched on the recent gang violence that claimed the life of 15-year-old Luis Angel Linares, who was stabbed in a March 14 brawl in downtown Santa Barbara.

We often don’t know why pain and suffering happen, religious leaders said, adding that sometimes we never do.

The Rev. Hillary Chrisley, pastor of First United Methodist Church, reminded the audience of Jesus’ words as he was nailed to the cross: “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”

“We live in a world where we often do not realize the consequences of what we do,” she said, referring to issues such as the death penalty, abortion, immigration, gun control and gang violence.

“But Christ knows our pain and lives with us as we deal with the consequences.”

Easter service
Hundreds of worshippers came to a Good Friday service at First Presbyterian Church this to remember Jesus' death. Courtesy photo
Other pastors who spoke included the Rev. Judith Muller of First Presbyterian, the Rev. Ed Arbogast of First Christian Church, the Rev. Betty Sue Sherrod and the Rev. Myrna Tuttle of First Congregational Church, UCC, the Rev. John McEntyre of Summerland Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Bruce Wollenberg of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Rev. Dale Morgan of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

Most pastors will be busy today, Easter Sunday, with services throughout the day. Calvary Chapel will also be holding its annual community celebration at 9:30 a.m. at the Sunken Gardens at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Thousands of people are expected to come for music, activities for children and food.

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