Jack Caldwell, a second-grade student at Vicksburg Catholic School, didn’t hesitate when he was asked what Easter meant to him.

“It means making other people happy because Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins,” he said.

This meaning of Easter was also shared by other classmates of Jack’s.

“(Easter means) He (Jesus) died on the cross to save our sins,” Mia Blake Tidwell said.

Jude Walker also said Easter is all about Jesus.

“Jesus died on the cross for us and rose to save us from our sins,” he said.

These elementary school students’ beliefs are core to Christian theology — that on the third day after Jesus was crucified, he was resurrected from the dead, proclaiming his victory over sin and death and offering the hope and promise of eternal life.

And because of that hope Bishop Tucker said, “(Easter) shows that (Jesus) loves us.”

“(Jesus) puts happiness into our lives,” Abby Grace Roach said.

On a more personal level, Colette Hotard said, “(Easter) makes me feel that I have someone to believe in and someone to trust.”

Easter this year will be celebrated Sunday, April 20, and in anticipation, Vicksburg residents and churches are preparing for the High Holy day.

A few of these events will include noon-day luncheons hosted by downtown churches, a cantata, a citywide egg hunt and an Easter sunrise service.

• Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Crawford Street United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church and First Baptist Church will be hosting Holy week luncheons. The events will run from noon to 1 p.m. and will include a light lunch and a brief service. Lunches are $6.

       The schedule:

Monday, April 14 — Holy Trinity Episcopal, 900 South St., the Rev. Jimmy Henry, speaker

Tuesday, April 15 — Crawford Street, 900 Crawford St., the Rev. Sam Godfrey, speaker

Wednesday, April 16 — First Presbyterian, 1501 Cherry St., the Rev. Tom Potter, speaker

Thursday, April 17 — First Baptist, 1607 Cherry St., the Rev. Tim Brown, speaker

• Beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15 at Crawford Street United Methodist Church, 900 Crawford St., the choirs of Crawford Street UMC, Gibson Memorial UMC, Hawkins UMC and the Vicksburg Chamber Choir will present a Holy Week Cantata — “The Seven Last Words of Christ” — a meditation on the Crucifixion presented through Gospel text and set to music. The event is free.
• From 10 until 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 17 at Key City Park, 255 Fisher Ferry Road, the United Way of West Central Mississippi and the Vicksburg Warren Excel by 5 Coalition are partnering with Vicksburg Family Development to host the Community Easter Egg Hunt for ages up to five years old. For more information, call 601-636-1336.
• From 9:30 until 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19 at Crossway Church, 1825 Highway 61 S will host an Easter Eggstravaganza. The event will include carnival games, crafts, a photo booth and Easter egg hunt. For more information, call 601-636-2596.
• Beginning at 7 a.m. at the top of Fort Hill in the Vicksburg National Military Park, the Y.M.C.A. will host its 76th annual Easter Sunrise Service, which unites people of different denominations in celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Speakers will be Minister Courtney Reed from Trinity Temple Church and Pastor Jimmy Henry from First Baptist Church. Special music will be provided by Mary Kate Core, music director at Crawford Street UMC. Parking is available on Confederate Avenue.