‘Celebrations of Christ’

COEUR d’ALENE — In a manner of speaking, Christians celebrate throughout the year.

That’s how Dan Deuel, senior pastor at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, looks at it.

“Our Sunday celebrations are all mini Easters,” he said. “They are celebrations of Christ. He offers that resurrection to us, as well.”

But Easter Sunday is a special time.

The Bible tells of a man named Jesus who was crucified some 2,000 years ago and miraculously returned to life three days later. It is his resurrection that Christians will celebrate today, around the world and here at home in North Idaho.

“Celebration of Christ conquering the grave is the biggest thing for us,” Deuel said. “We have a couple of other events just to let people gather and connect with each other and enjoy the joyous day together.”

Congregants of Christ the King will attend Easter services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. There will also be a breakfast and egg hunt.

Deuel said his message on Easter Sunday will be one of hope and joy.

“In Christ, we have him fulfilling his promises to us,” he said. “We have him revealing his purpose to us and then he has such an incredible personal touch that’s demonstrated in (Mark 16:17).”

Jesus predicted during the Last Supper that the disciple Peter would disown him before the rooster crowed the next morning.

Though Peter had vowed to die with Jesus rather than disown him, after Jesus was arrested, Peter publicly denied knowing him. Peter wept as he heard the rooster crow that morning, recalling Jesus’ prediction.

When Jesus’ tomb was found empty, an angel said, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

“Peter had denied (Jesus) three times and was feeling lower than ever, yet that angel still singles him out,” Deuel said. “I want that personal aspect of the gospel message being felt by everyone.”

Throughout North Idaho, the faithful will fill churches to join in prayer and song.

At St. Pius X Church, Mass of the Resurrected Lord is scheduled for 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. 

Real Life Ministries will hold Easter services this morning at campuses in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Athol and Hayden. 

Heart of the City Church will have water baptisms at the Coeur d’Alene campus.

St. David’s Anglican Church in Post Falls will have the Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. 

At the Kroc Center Worship Theater, the community is invited to a 10 a.m. service.

A community choir will perform an Easter cantata at 6 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1670 N. McGuire Road, Post Falls. 

At St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Coeur d’Alene, the 8 a.m. service is prayed with the traditional language and piety of the Elizabethan era while the 10 a.m. service is prayed with more contemporary language, as well as music and hymns.

Parish administrator Didi Pederson said she hopes those who attend on Easter Sunday feel at home.

“This is a very welcoming church that points to Jesus,” she said. “I love that about this church. Easter is really going to point to that.”

The children’s chapel will accompany the 10 a.m. service. This energetic portion of the service is designed for kids and families, with age-appropriate exploration of scripture and prayer.

“They follow along with what is taught during the (adult) service,” Pederson said. “They go through very methodically and teach them hands-on.”

Deuel said he hopes that followers of Christ keep the message of Easter and Jesus’ promises to them in their hearts all year long.

“I want them to be glad and rejoice in the salvation that Jesus has won for them and to carry that joy not just on Easter, but through every day of their lives,” he said.