Omaha daily bee., 1919-04-21
resurrection
CELEBRATED BY
LOCAL CHURCHES
Impressive Services and Spe.
ciaI Musical Programs Mark
Happiest Day in Year;
Decorations Profuse.

Omaha churches celebrated yes
terday, the happiest day in all the
Christian year, Easter, the day that
commentaries the resurrection OIL
Christ from the dead as the Saviour
Of all mankind.
In all the Christian churches the
one note of JOY was apparent in
sermon and song with their domi-
nant themes of "The Risen Christ"
The violet colored altar cloths OF
the Lenten season and the black
altar cloths of Good Friday had
given way to the pure white altar
paraments of Easter Sunday. Eas-
ter lilies, the ruling flower Of the
day, were the principal floral dec
orations, though flowers and plants
of many other kinds helped to beat
tify the houses of worship.
In many churches there were
early services, these being specially
impressive because of the fact that
Christ is said to have risen from
the grave very early on Easter
morning. Trinity cathedral had a
choral celebration of the holy COM
munion at 6 o'clock in the morning.
Many other churches had special
Sunrise prayer meetings" under the
auspices of the young peoples So
cieties.
Easter Late.
Easter occurred this year very
late. It is movable church fes-
tival, coming the first Sunday after
the first full moon which happens
on or after March II. The earliest
date on which Easter can occur is
March % and the latest is April Is.
Choirs and Sunday schools had
been rehearsing anthems, cantatas.
solos and addresses for weeks. Eas-
ter Sunday was filled with these
special features beside the regular
services. The anthems, cantatas
and solos which have been the work
of the great composers on the great
Christian theme, were sung by aug
mented choirs. Many churches de-
voted all their evening services to
the choral services by the choir or
the special programs of songs and
speeches by the Sunday school chill
dren.
A few people here still use the
ancient Easter greeting, "The Lord
is risen" and the response, HE is
risen. indeed" This is generally
practiced by the people in some
eastern countries.
Many New Members.
The holy communion was cele-
brated in nearly all the churches
yesterday. New members were re-
ceived and baptized also in many
churches. Special collections for
purposes were taken up.
The universal theme of the SER
mons was Christ is risen," as in
deed it was also the central thought
n all other devotions of the day in
The churches.
The Catholic churches had elabor-
lte services. A pontifical high mass
was celebrated at St. Cecilia's cath
,dral at which there was a special
program of music by the choir and
'oloists. In St. Johns Catholic
,hurch solemn high mass at II
o'clock was succeeded by a sermon
preached by Rev. T. J. Livingstone.
md the benediction. Other Catholic
churches had solemn high masses
n addition to the regular Sunday
services.
New Clothes in Evidence.
Besides the church services. Eas-
er was notable by the new clothes
If the people. Favorable weather
brought out new gowns. hats and
uits by the thousands. All Omaha
vas in its new spring clothes.
To many little folks Easter means
:olored eggs, though it is said this
ustom is not so much observed as
n years gone by. Still, there were
hundreds of kiddies who opened
heir eyes. jumped out of bed and
ushed to the nests they had pre-
jared the previous night to see the
ggs that the rabbit" had brought
hem. The connection of eggs with
Caster comes from ancient times
ghen the egg was considered the
hNl ~