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On Easter Sunday at two local Episcopalian Churches, the cross will be transformed from a symbol of death to a sign of life and bells will ring out during the choruses of alleluias.

òòò½ÊÓƵœOn Good Friday, the cross becomes a symbol of death and shame but on Easter Sunday we transform it into a beautiful symbol of hope and life,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Reverend Michael Koehler, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, said.

Children of all ages and adults young at heart will come forward with bushels and streams of flowers from garden roses to fragrant lilies that cover a wooden cross as a symbol of Christòòò½ÊÓƵ™s resurrection.

òòò½ÊÓƵœThe churchòòò½ÊÓƵ™s job is to spread the good news of Christòòò½ÊÓƵ™s resurrection, and weòòò½ÊÓƵ™re grateful when anyone comes to a service, but especially on Easter,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Koehler said.

Across town at St. Francis Episcopal Church, an annual flowering of the cross will take place along with a return of the traditional ringing of the bells.

During Lent, the crucifix at the altar is veiled, the alleluias are removed from service and flowers are removed from the altar.

òòò½ÊÓƵœOn Easter Sunday, we bring the alleluias back,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Reverend Stephen Carson, Rector of St. Francis Episcopal Church, said.

Whether itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a cow bell, a dinner bell or jingle bells, congregation members let their bells ring out every time an an alleluia is sung or spoken during the church service Sunday.

òòò½ÊÓƵœThe bells make it extra special and add emphasis to the word after it had been removed during the Lenten season,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Carson said.

The ringing of the bells on Easter Sundayòòò½ÊÓƵ™s alleluias has been a tradition at St. Francis Episcopal Church pre-dating Carsonòòò½ÊÓƵ™s tenure. For the churchòòò½ÊÓƵ™s members, it has been a tradition they enthusiastically participate in year after year.

òòò½ÊÓƵœAnother tradition we have is decorating the altar with Easter lilies,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Carson said.

Members donate money to the church to sponsor potted Easter lilies in the memory of loved ones or to celebrate the new life of their children and grandchildren.

òòò½ÊÓƵœThe lilies are given to the glory of God in the memory of loved ones,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Carson said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWhat an appropriate time to remember someone through the resurrection of Christ,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Carson said.

This Sunday, churches and families across the region will celebrate Easter Sunday with their own traditions and events from dressing up for a traditional church service to searching in the yard for candy-filled plastic eggs.