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Hundreds Attend Community Easter Celebration
Celebrating the life of Jesus Christ
Estimates as high as 850 church members and friends gathered to the Liberty Missouri Stake center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Saturday, April 19, 2025, for a community Easter celebration. The event, with displays, food and performances, featured the life, teachings and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Attendees were guided through the church building to various rooms with 3D displays of the life of the Savior. Beginning in the Primary room, an eight-foot-tall wooden structure and nativity were erected to commemorate Jesus Christ’s birth. As guests progressed through the building into the Young Women’s room, displays were set up to show His life and His teachings and ministry, including a life-size wooden well. The display represented the story of Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well, revealing Himself as the Messiah.
“These items brought to life the image of being taught intimately by the Savior,” Activities Co-Chair Mellanie Burris (Oak Grove Ward) said. “The display along with the gorgeous painting entitled, Woman at the Well really helped make the scriptures and Christ’s teachings real.”
Attendees then headed to the Relief Society room which had displays focusing on the miracles Jesus performed. In one corner stood Lazarus’ empty tomb where Christ raised him from the dead. In the center of the room a “bed” hung from the ceiling, representing the man who was lame and had to be lowered down in his bed through the roof into the house so Jesus could heal him. In another corner was a boat depicting when Christ calmed the sea and beckoned Peter to walk on water with him. A highlight of the room, though, was a live display in which Loraine McCall (Shoal Creek Valley Ward), dressed in period attire, reenacted the woman with the issue of blood.
“[Loraine] brought depth and reverence to part,” Burris said. “The props, paintings, and photos enhanced the experience of not only seeing the miracles but feeling them.”
Lastly, the attendees made their way to the Young Men’s room blacked out with dark fabric, greenery and plants, in hopes of transporting visitors to a nighttime scene of the Garden of Gethsemane. The song Gethsemane, sung by the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square with a children’s choir, played on a loop on a TV monitor in the room and added to the atmosphere.
“One could sense just a small portion of the weight felt by Jesus as He prayed for the strength to complete his mission,” Burris said.
Mimi Castilleja, a friend not of our faith, said she enjoyed the tour of Jesus’ life.
“It was wonderful to see Jesus’ life and miracles on display and so realistic especially when a person was involved,” Castilleja said.
The tour continued to a charcuterie board of grapes, blueberries, crackers, cheese, dried meats, carrots, tomatoes, dates to replicate what might have been served during the time of Jesus.
Attendees were then guided to the Cultural Hall to view the Last Supper display on the stage, along with four 6-foot-tall graphic panels featuring the events of Holy Week. The highlight was a large display of the Christus statue with the apostles in the background.
“Aaron Melius, a stake technology specialist (Liberty Ward) had the brilliant idea to shine spotlights on the image from behind, thus making Christ glow brighter and bringing a feeling of a Resurrected Christ,” Burris said.
The evening culminated with a special musical program featuring soloists, small groups, choirs and instrumentals with performers from all ages.
“A highlight was definitely when members of the Liberty ASL Group signed,Jesus Savior of My Soul while a member of the YSA Unit sang and another accompanied,” Burris said.
Castilleja agreed and was grateful to be able to attend the event.
“The music was beautiful,” Castilleja said. “I loved that there was variety, and it was all so well thought out/planned. Thanks so much for the invitation.”
Other performances include a primary choir which sang I’ll Walk with Jesus, a youth choir presented a rendition of Be Thou My Vision and Nancy Dangl Pena (Rush Creek Ward) sang in her native language of Spanish, The Master’s Voice.
Barbara Cartwright, another visitor not of our faith, enjoyed the musical program.
“The variety of groups that performed was a nice mix of music.”
The program ended with Handel’s Messiah, the Hallelujah Chorus.
“The Easter experience was wonderful,” Marissa Swearingen (Hodge Park Ward) said. “Each room was beautifully displayed, and the Spirit filled every corner. I especially loved the Garden [of Gethsemane] room. Then finishing with the music was icing on the cake.”
Swearingen brought her friend Eun Dobbins whom she had met at the Liberty-area Ministerial Alliance Thanksgiving Devotional back in November.
“I felt the Spirit so strongly and had the beautiful experience of seeing my friend feel it as well,” Swearingen said. “It was all such a sweet experience.”
Dobbins found the displays helped the scriptures come alive.
“I was extremely amazed by all the displays and videos,” Dobbins said. “I have not had an experience like this [before]. I felt like I was in a different world and [it was more] involved than just reading the Bible. Also, [next time I] will invite several of my friends.”
Organizers like Mike & Mellanie Burris were pleased it came together so well again this year.
“Great effort and attention was given by those responsible, to make sure all who attended felt the ‘greater love’ of Jesus Christ,” Burris said. “The displays, music and even the food, added to the feeling of ‘oneness’ with not only our friends and family, but most importantly with our Savior and Redeemer. It was a successful evening that allowed all attending to show love, honor and praise to our Savior, Lord and King!”
Swearingen agreed with Burris, noting she was grateful for those who volunteered their time and talents for this community Easter celebration.
“I’m grateful to everyone who put so many hours into making this such a great experience,” Swearingen said. “ I plan to make this experience a family tradition every year.”
Event Organizers: Mike & Mellanie Burris
Committee: Adriana Fletcher (Rush Creek Ward), Carolyn Senn (North Kansas City Ward), Emily Goddard (Rush Creek Ward), Katie Fullmer (Hodge Park Ward), Loraine McCall (Shoal Creek Valley Ward), Malinda Minnear (Liberty Ward),, Megan Durrant (Tiffany Springs Ward), Mike Mundy (San Rafael Branch), Paula Bain (North Kansas City Ward), Randi Goddard (North Kansas City Ward), Rebecca Welbern (North Kansas City Ward), Royal Fletcher (Rush Creek Ward), Terri Tervort (Rush Creek Ward)
Organist: Sam Fleming (Oak Grove Ward)
Chorister: Gena Hill (Oak Grove Ward)
