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Community Corner

White Crosses on Rancho Capistrano Hillside Signal Easter's Approach

The crosses stand 30 and 40 feet tall.

A new, more meaningful sign than store shelves lined with bunny-shaped chocolates is reminding San Juan Capistrano residents that Easter is near.

Three tall, white crosses have been erected by volunteers on the Rancho Capistrano hillside, visible to the thousands who travel north and south through town on the 5 freeway. “We wanted to remind people about the true meaning of Easter," said head Pastor Rick Warren, whose idea it was to erect the crosses.

Two 30-foot crosses flank a taller, 40-foot one. They were built by more than 25 volunteers, said Pastor Dave Arnold.

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“Our members are thrilled. They have been proud to be associated with this [Rancho Capistrano] campus because of what we have done for our new Easter tradition,” he said. "This will be our first Easter at the Rancho Capistrano campus, and we are expecting a large attendance."

On April 9, Rancho Capistrano held an event called “Easter lights,” which included family portraits, picnic, games and a bounce house.

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Three Sunday services will start at 7 a.m. and continue at 9 and 11 a.m. Numerous other services will held across the 10 Saddleback campuses in Southern California to accommodate the approximately 22,000 members.

The ranch is 12 miles from the main Saddleback Church—one of the largest in America—in Lake Forest. The mega-church began leasing the 170-acre ranch on Camino Capistrano—which includes the Crean Retreat Center—in May 2010.

This is also not the first time Saddleback has adorned the hilltop to commemorate a holiday. During the Christmas season, the church displays a Nativity scene.

The crosses were drawn up several months ago and took about three weeks for volunteers to assemble, paint and install. “After Easter they will be taken down and stored for next year,” Arnold said.  

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