If you are looking to go beyond baskets, bunnies and eggs this weekend, area churches hope you take time to celebrate the reason behind Easter.

A busy week of Holy Week services wraps up Sunday with Easter services, which commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion.

According to Lifeway Research, Easter is consistently the highest-attended church service of the year in the United States, with Christmas and Mother’s Day as the only other major observances.

Pastor Joel McKenney of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Algoma believes Easter services are so popular because they recognize the significance of the event.

Pastor Matthew Sprunger of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kewaunee hopes people remember the sacrifice Jesus made on their behalf.

You can find a church near you, including those featured in our “True Meaning of Easter” series, to learn more about service schedules.

ST. JOSEPH'S/ST. PETER AND PAUL, STURGEON BAY

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, KEWAUNEE

ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, ALGOMA

This year, Easter also coincides with the Jewish celebration of Passover, which commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.