With Easter fast approaching, several opportunities to celebrate the season are coming up this week.
West Side Church of God will celebrate Easter at the Rodgers on Sunday, April 4, beginning at 10 a.m.
Formerly this event was held at the Black River Coliseum, but this year it moves to the historic Rodgers Theater and Jason Jordan Lead Pastor at West Side Church of God couldn’t be happier.
“We’re extremely excited about it,” Jordan said. “We want to gather in the safest way possible because last year we were quarantined at Easter and for us as a church, that was really bizarre thing to do, so we really want to have a celebratory aspect this Easter. The resurrection is the most historic event in human history, and the Rodgers is probably one of the most historic places in Poplar Bluff, so we’re going to celebrate the world’s most historic event in the Historic Rogers Theater.”
There will be balloon animals for the kids, a photo booth for families, and the church bought out the entire inventory of the Rodgers concession stand so everyone can get a free soda and a treat. There will be a traditional Easter message and Jordan wants to kick off the service with a flourish.
“We’re going to throw confetti at the beginning of the service in honor and celebration of Jesus rising from the dead,” he said.
There will be an offering taken at the event for a special reason according to Jordan.
“We’re giving 100% of the offering away to the restoration of the Rodgers Theater and for every dollar that’s given, we’re going to match as a church,” he said. “The resurrection is about making all things new, and the fact that we’re celebrating God raising Jesus from the dead and making all things new and then being able to give money toward making something new, just sort of seems like a no brainer for us.”
There will be volunteers there to assist with parking and the event is free. For more information, go to www.westsidepb.org and https://www.facebook.com/westsidecog
Two area churches are also sponsoring egg hunts Saturday, April 3.
Palace of Praise will host an event at 10:30 a.m. at Whiteley Park.
Egg hunters will be broken up by age on three different fields. Field #1 will host ages 0-3, field #2 allows ages 4-6, while field #3 is for children ages 7-10.
The Black River General Baptist Church at 9606 Highway AA in Broseley is will host their event at the church from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be games, prizes, hot dogs and chips, along with drinks. For more information, you can contact Pam at 573-625-1480.