Thursday ushers in the last four days of the Christian Holy Week. It is the day of remembering the Last Supper, commonly referred to as Maundy Thursday. The world is also preparing for the Jewish Passover, while Muslims are celebrating the month-long Ramadan.

In Utah County, several Christian churches are preparing for Easter Sunday, the day Christians believe Jesus Christ was resurrected from the tomb.

On Wednesday, The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released its 2022 Easter message:

“He is risen” was the angelic message of the first Easter. With feelings of worship and gratitude, we declare our witness that Jesus Christ is indeed risen,” the statement said. “God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.”

“By the power of the Father, Jesus rose again and claimed the victory over death. He is our resurrected Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come,” the First Presidency statement said.

Apart from the cold weather accompanying a variety of Easter Egg hunts and other festivities, area churches will also celebrate local religious traditions as well.

Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ in partnership with the Utah Valley Interfaith Association, Keeping the Faith in Downtown Provo and the Utah Valley Interfaith Choir will be hosting the annual Community Easter Sunrise Service on Easter morning, at 7 a.m. Sunday, at the historic, downtown Provo church, located at 175 N. University Ave,. Doors open at 6:30 a.m.

The annual service, celebrating the resurrection of Christ, will feature messages from local community and religious leaders including Provo City Chief Administrator Wayne Parker, Reverend Topher Mehlhoff the Pulpit Supply Pastor of Orem Community Congregational United Church of Christ, and Intermountain Healthcare Chaplain Ronda Walker Weaver. Bishop Carla Long of the Community of Christ Church and Reverend J. Keith Cupples the Pulpit Supply Pastor of Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ will provide prayers. Music will be provided by David Lewis and the Utah Valley Interfaith Choir, soloists Brittney Stradling and Kalynne Wise, with Heidi Rodeback at the organ. More information can be found on their Facebook page.

Following the Sunrise Service, the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ will be celebrating Easter at 11 a.m. with a special service, which will include a sermon by Cupples and music by the Utah Valley Interfaith Choir.

The Provo Community Church, as it is known locally, was founded 130 years ago in 1891 by members from varying religious backgrounds coming together for a stronger presence in a growing Utah Valley community. Today, the church is an open faith organization and is one of the only places for secular community gatherings in downtown Provo.

Reverend Susan Toone, vicar of the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 50 W. 200 North in downtown Provo is inviting residents to join in three special services:

• Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m. April 14.
• Good Friday, Noon on April 15.
• Easter Services, at 11 a.m. April 17.