With the early morning sunlight filtering through the trees of the Oak Canyon Nature Center, the congregants of Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church cautiously gathered to celebrate Easter.
Early risers met in the canyon for a sunrise service, others bundled in warm clothes for an 8 a.m. service, the church’s band Godsend joining in the worship. Later services were held in the Anaheim Hills church’s sanctuary and also livestreamed for those staying home.
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The Rev. Lissa Smith leads the Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church’s second Easter service at Oak Canyon Nature Center at 8 am Sunday April 4, 2021 in the nature center’s outdoor amphitheater.Anaheim Hills. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
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The Rev. Lissa Smith, far left, leads the Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church’s second Easter service at Oak Canyon Nature Center at 8 am Sunday in the nature center’s outdoor amphitheater.Anaheim Hills. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
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Rich Egkan wears a pair of bunny ears he found in his granddaughters Easter basket during the Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church Easter service at Oak Canyon Nature Center at 8 am Sunday, April 4, 2021 in the nature center’s outdoor amphitheater in Anaheim Hills. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
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Hannah Kidd inspects her haul of Easter Eggs after the Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church Easter service at Oak Canyon Nature Center at 8 am Sunday in the nature center’s outdoor amphitheater in Anaheim Hills. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
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Steved Marsh, fiddle player for the Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church contemporary Christian band, Godsend, plays during Easter service at Oak Canyon Nature Center at 8 am Sunday in the nature center’s outdoor amphitheater.Anaheim Hills. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
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Contemporary Christian band, Godsend warms up before the Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church Easter service at Oak Canyon Nature Center at 8 am Sunday in the nature center’s outdoor amphitheater in Anaheim Hills on Sunday, April 4, 2021. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
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Drew Kidd, 4, squirms during the Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church Easter service at Oak Canyon Nature Center at 8 am Sunday in the nature center’s outdoor amphitheater.Anaheim Hills. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Throughout the year, church leaders have sought to strike a balance with worshiping together and protecting congregants during the pandemic, said The Rev. Lissa Smith. The nature center’s outdoor amphitheater tucked among the trees and a stream offered a beautiful sanctuary for socially distancing.
Services were streamed for much of the year, Smith said, though for four short weeks the church was allowed to reopen its sanctuary in October as restrictions were relaxed during an ebb in the pandemic. It was allowed to reopen again in March, though many congregants have found they enjoy worshiping in their pajamas, she said. Livestreaming continues to be option for connecting.
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