I have always loved Easter. It has always meant family. I don’t remember going to church on Easter much as a child, but some pretty fun memories were made. Of course in Miami, it was always about 80 to 90 degrees in the spring. The ground was always soaking wet with morning dew. No one had yet to invent plastic eggs. I am sure that whoever thought of them lived in the subtropics and had a Basset Hound named Cleo that ate all the hidden Easter Eggs which had lost most of their color due to the soaking wet grass.
At some point my parents got smart and my Dad would take my brother, sister and me out looking for the Easter Bunny on Easter Sunday. At that time in Miami, we had lots of U-Pick fields. He would drive slowly down the irrigation roads and along the canals and spot brown marsh bunnies. This was all fun and games until my older brother and my Dad figured it would be a good time to hunt rabbits. That did not sit too well with a little kindergartener named Greg. So then it became a hysterical, kid yelling at the Easter Bunny to run for his life.
Easter Sunday took on a special meaning for Karen and me when I asked her to be my wife. I surprised her with a picnic lunch in our favorite park. Her ring was hidden in an Easter Egg.
I am glad that Eastern Hills provides so many opportunities to worship and keep Christ the center of our Easter Celebrations. On Thursday Night we will celebrate Maundy Thursday. It is a time of reflection on Jesus and what He did for us. It is very family friendly. We take the Lords Supper which is served by each of the Ministers. It is a casual but very meaningful service. Children are welcomed to partake of this special time together with their families.
The Easter Egg Hunt at the Gosselins is always a fun time for families to get together and watch their kids run and play. We start off with a huge Easter Egg Hunt. We have door prizes and lots of candy. The kids love to fish in the pond, and enjoy a nice picnic in the woods or around the pond. Of course the Ice-cream truck is always a huge hit, especially since it is free.
Easter Sunday is wonderful. Family and friends gather together to worship our Risen Savior. It is fun seeing everyone dressed up and coming to church. There is no other place to be on Easter Sunday than worshiping the One True God who provided His Son to be our Savior.
A lot has gone on this past week at Eastern Hills. Our youth hosted a yard sale for the community to come and sell their wares. It was fun seeing so many of our church members engaging people from our community. They were swapping goods but most of all, they were hearing about Eastern Hills and what a great church it is. A lot of great contacts were made!
The Father, Son, etc. Fishing Trip out to the Kennedys was great! We had a wonderful turnout of all age groups fishing, laughing and enjoying the great outdoors. Plus, we had a big hotdog and hamburger lunch. This is always a great time to sit back, relax and enjoy sweet fellowship.
I hope and pray that you will take advantage of all that is offered for your family and friends this Easter Season Celebrating the Risen Savior, the true and only meaning of Easter.