Easter preparations for three churches in Vaitele-uta and Vaigaga are all set for the culmination of the holy week celebrations.

Reverend Opeta Ioapo and faletua Mareta for the Methodist Church at Vaitele-Uta told the Samoa Observer in an interview that the focus of this year’s celebration is ‘Christ’s wounds and scars to gain life’ (O Manu’a o Keriso mo le ola).

“Based on Isaiah 53.5 says ‘but he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the chastening for our well-being fell upon him and by his scourging we are healed,” they said.

“Combine together with the Book of John the Gospel 19:23-30 as the fulfillment of the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ on the Cross.”

Rev. Opeta added that around 8am on Friday morning the church services will celebrate Easter with a programme led by their youth.

“We have a youth programme of church skits and hymn songs to strengthen the message and on Sunday will be the youth camp for our whole synod as the 13 Churches combine together here at Vaitele.”

For the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa Vaigaga, Rev. Tautua said the programme started Thursday night from 7pm and the celebrations on Sunday will include a 5am holy communion service.

“Our Easter service will be today at 7pm Thursday 01st, just a normal service to remind and celebrate Easter, but on Sunday morning at 5am will be our holy communion service,” he added.

“We have a camp at Vaitele-uta on Sunday at 3pm for the 10 combine churches of our district and still focusing on the holy week as the theme from the church Leaders. 

“We will have action skits for palm Sunday, Easter and resurrection performed by youth members and Sunday Schools.”

The Heart of Worship Church (Fatu o Viiga) in Vaitele-uta also has a full programme that started 7.30pm on Thursday night, where the congregation members witnessed their youth perform key moments of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion to conclude with the holy communion.

Pastor Ioasa Tagaloa Pogia said it was not a time to laugh but to think deeply of the sacrifice that Jesus made for everyone. 

He said they have a Easter Sunday church programme that will highlight the importance of Jesus’ mother Mary visiting the tomb.

“Our church is not very big, we have only two in Samoa but we feel the same way about Jesus who saved us and gave his whole life to pay for our sins,” he said.

Pastor Ioasa expressed his appreciation to the Samoa Observer for giving them the opportunity to speak about the importance of worshiping together with the other big churches and share the gospel around the country.