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This logo was used during the Easter Sunday service at Bethel Open Bible Church. The church used the popularity of the hit TV series to entice people who normally don't attend church. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)
Local churches hold quirky Easter services
It wasn't your average Easter service at Bethel Open Bible Church. Many of the hundreds of people who attended the two services on Sunday were dressed rather informally, and they listened to some ear-splitting rock music, full of guitars, drums and loud amplifiers.
And the theme for the Easter service was based on a hit TV series. The South Ham Lane Church called Sunday "CSI:Lodi," in an effort to attract people who don't normally attend church.
Pastor Mark Wood told worshippers that everyone should strive to reach their fullest potential, because God wants everyone to do just that.
Wood spoke about the times he visited the gold rush country and looked at each town's cemetery to learn about the people who lived along Highway 49 in the 19th century.
"How many of those people have gone with unfulfilled potential?" he asked. "Books unwritten, songs unsung. How many great teachers and leaders didn't step up?"
Before Wood gave his sermon, two members of the congregation were in their pajamas lying in bed together — right on the stage. Ron McDonald, a board member at Bethel, portrayed a man experiencing a mid-life crisis while wide awake at 1:30 a.m. eating some ice cream at the foot of his bed.
He ended up waking up his wife, portrayed by Diane Prince, and telling her about how he needed his life to have more meaning than having a good job and family.
"Somehow, I need to know that what I do matters," McDonald said.
That led to Wood's sermon, one of almost 60 that pastors gave in Lodi. Easter services were also held in Galt, Lockeford and other communities.
The heavy rain spoiled some outdoor services, including three sunrise services with no sun. The sunrise services took place at Bear Creek Community Church on Lower Sacramento Road, at Lodi Lake, where First Baptist Church had its service, and a community service at Galt Community Park.
Ron McDonald, a board member at Bethel Open Bible Church in Lodi, portrays a husband going through a mid-life crisis with his "wife," Diane Prince, during an Easter Sunday service. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)
Other churches moved their Easter services to accommodate larger crowds, such as Heartland Community Church, which had three services at Hutchins Street Square, and Horizon Community Church, which conducted two services in the Galt High School gym.
Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.
First published: Monday, April 17, 2006
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