CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE ON EASTER : FROM SONGS TO CARNIVALS, THE FAITHFUL CHEER JESUS.Byline: Sharline Chiang Daily News Staff Writer Rays of sunshine filtered through wispy wisp n. 1. A small bunch or bundle, as of straw, hair, or grass. 2. a. One that is thin, frail, or slight. b. A thin or faint streak or fragment, as of smoke or clouds. 3. blue skies Sunday, as millions of Christians across Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, celebrated Easter through prayer, music and drama, rejoicing in the rebirth of their savior, Jesus Christ Jesus Christ: see Jesus. Jesus Christ 40 days after Resurrection, ascended into heaven. [N.T.: Acts 1:1–11] See : Ascension Jesus Christ kind to the poor, forgiving to the sinful. [N.T. . From crowded church pews in downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or to rugged hills in Agua Dulce Agua Dulce is Spanish for "sweet water". It also refers to various locations: In Mexico:
prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Bible, sacrificed his life for their sins and then rose from his tomb on the third day. Suzanne Osbrink, a choir member at the Church at Rocky Peak Rocky Peak is the name of the 3rd highest point in the Santa Susana Mountains, which overlook both Chatsworth and Simi Valley, in Southern California. The peak, which is 2,714 feet above sea level, sits on the Los Angeles County/Ventura County line. in Chatsworth, expressed her gratitude in song. That was no small task this weekend, considering the choir had to sing in seven services. ``It's exhilarating and exhausting at the same time,'' said Osbrink, 43, of Granada Hills. ``But we hope it will touch their hearts and lead them to Jesus.'' In other towns, Christians in Monterey Park Monterey Park, city (1990 pop. 60,738), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a growing residential suburb of Los Angeles; inc. 1916. It is a wholesale, retail, and financial services center. were treated to a visit by Cardinal Roger Mahony at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church. A service traditionally held at the Hollywood Bowl, which is being renovated, was held at the Woman's Club of Hollywood. Donning pastels, floral outfits and straw bonnets, for some, Easter Sunday was also a time to welcome the beginning of springtime. Seven-month-old Jenna drew attention sporting an Easter Bunny headband. But her father, Michael Neary of Canyon Country, said for his family, the day is more about faith, not commercial traditions. ``It's an opportunity to show people the way to the true Lord and to be saved,'' said Neary, a 31-year-old sign-maker who attended services at the Church at Rocky Peak. ``It's a shame some people only come to church once or twice a year - Easter and Christmas.'' During one sermon, the Rev. David Miller spoke of tapping into one's ``God confidence'' and used the recent mass suicide of 39 cult members in San Diego to illustrate the dangers of following false messiahs. ``God confidence is about confidence where it counts most,'' said Miller, who called the cult's leader ``a lunatic.'' ``It's about confidence in relationships, not tasks.'' While the Chatsworth church did not offer sunrise services, hundreds of other churches began their day at the crack of dawn. Sunrise services were held from Simi Valley and Vasquez Rocks County Park in Agua Dulce, to Covina and Hollywood. Part of the multicultural services at Vasquez Rocks included a re-enactment of the Resurrection staged above rocky folds. For many of the faithful, Easter services were followed with brunches with relatives and friends, Easter egg hunts and visits to festivals such as a carnival in Sunland Park. The poor and downtrodden down·trod·den adj. Oppressed; tyrannized. downtrodden Adjective oppressed and lacking the will to resist Adj. 1. were not forgotten Sunday. At sunrise, the Union Rescue Mission The Union Rescue Mission (URM) is a private, Christian, homeless shelter in downtown Los Angeles's skid row. It is the largest, private, homeless shelter in the United States. in Mission hosted a special service for 200 homeless men. In Saugus, 320 male inmates in a maximum-security jail prayed for forgiveness during a ceremony led by Protestant Chaplain Art Acres. ``May your priority become more and more what God wants,'' Acres said. ``There are things that the world offers to you that you have to turn down.'' In unison, the men responded, ``Amen.'' CAPTION(S): PHOTO Amelia and Indalcio Torrez celebrate Easter with daughters Joc elyn, 1, Yesenia, 7, and Jasmin, 4, at a Sunland Park carnival. Tina Gerson/Daily News |
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