Songs and performance highlight Our Savior's Lutheran Church's celebration of the Easter season.
The church is creating a tradition of holding choral cantatas with orchestral accompaniment, Pastor Scott Musselman said. The organization's event is 4 p.m. today at 1529 Southwest Blvd.
Our Savior's Lutheran Church's choir is to perform "Once Upon a Tree," a collection of songs and performances that take a person through events leading up to Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. Actors will re-create events leading up to the crucifixion.
During the event, Jennifer Neff will create a piece of art.
"It will probably be some sort of depiction of the crucifixion," Musselman said. "She has no more than an hour. To me, that would be really stressful. There's no starting over."
Neff's creations are an annual highlight of the celebration, Musselman said.
The church displays the pieces after she's done.
"It is quite a gift to us to develop this collection." Musselman said. "These pieces of artwork are displayed throughout our church."
The church will hold a 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday service and 7 p.m. Good Friday service. On Easter, it will hold service at 8 and 10:30 a.m., with a breakfast buffet beginning at 10 a.m.
Several churches will have sunrise services early Easter morning.
First Presbyterian Church will "greet the dawn" with its annual Easter Sunrise Worship Service at 6:30 a.m. in the Governor's Memorial Garden at 101 Jefferson St. Breakfast will follow at the church, 324 Madison St.
Easter worship is at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. in the church, with the Chancel Choir participating. Child care is available.
Another service is scheduled for 5 p.m. Easter evening, with a fellowship meal following. Anyone needing rides to service is asked to call 573-636-2149. The 10:45 a.m. services are streamed live at livestream.com/fpcjcmo
The church also will hold a 7 p.m. Tenebrae and Maundy Thursday service April 18. This is a somber remembrance of the betrayal of Jesus, his trial and his crucifixion, done through scripture and music, according to a church news release.
Three other churches - Capital West Christian Church, Capital City Christian Church and Highway 54 Church of Christ - are to partner for Sunrise Service on the north side of the Missouri Capitol (near the Fountain of Centaurs).
Jeremy Redman, senior pastor at Capital West, said the service and other activities should be a lot of fun.
Back at Capital West Christian Church - at 1308 Fairgrounds Road - there will be services at 8:15 and 10 a.m. But a special event will be sandwiched between at 9:25 a.m.
"It will be a fun time for families and kids with doughnuts, coffee and a lot of activities," Redman said. "We're hoping for a great turnout."
Following the sunrise celebration, Highway 54 Church of Christ - at 4217 Greenbrier Drive - will host breakfast at 9 a.m., then there will be service at 10:30 a.m. The church will hold its annual Easter Hallelujah Egg Hunt at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Russellville-area churches annually collaborate for one large sunrise service. This year, that is to happen at 6:30 a.m. at the Corticelli Baptist Church, 57731 Route C in Russellville.
Corticelli Baptist Church will host breakfast after the service. Choir will participate in a 10:30 a.m. service. And don't forget the Easter Egg Hunt is at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Community of Christ Church, 1620 Vieth Road in Jefferson City, is celebrating Good Friday with a service at 6 p.m. It will hold Easter Service at 9 a.m. Sunday, followed by Easter Brunch.
St. Peter Catholic Church, 216 Broadway St., is to hold a reconciliation service at 7 p.m. Monday, offering a chance for people in the area to come to church and participate in confessions.
The church will celebrate the Lord's Dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday. Following will be adoration until midnight.
It will conduct Stations of the Cross at noon and 3 p.m. Friday and hold the Passion of the Lord service at 7 p.m. Easter Vigil is at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. There are Easter Masses at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday, with a Spanish language Mass at 1 p.m.
Central United Church of Christ, 118 W. Ashley St., hosts a breakfast Easter morning at 8 a.m. Its Easter service begins at 10 a.m.