TOTALLY EGG-CITING!

This past weekend Waynedale was hopping with Easter events for the kids. From an Easter egg hunt to games, activities, art and more, kids had a blast and it really got them in the Easter spirit. It was all totally egg-citing fun!

Despite the less than spring-like weather on Saturday, March 24, 2018, children of all ages showed up to collect Easter eggs spread across the lawn area and playground at the Waynedale United Methodist Church at 10am. Krissy Covey and 20 volunteers, greeted the children, parents and grandparents as they gathered inside the Fellowship Hall to color a picture and hear an Easter message from Pastor Ted Jansen. Pastor Ted read a book titled, The Parable of the Lily, which revealed the beautiful message of God’s greatest gift which comes to us on Easter morning. The story told of a farmer’s daughter, on a dreary cloudy morning, that received a mysterious gift. When she opened it up, it was just dirt and a lifeless bulb. She threw it out the door only to discover later, one bright and beautiful Spring morning, that what was dead had come to life!

Eight-year-old, Joshua Cekanber said that his favorite part of Easter was collecting eggs and all the candy. Five-year-old Makenzie enjoyed coloring paper eggs, along with her friend Lilly. After collecting all the eggs, cookies were decorated and crafts were made illustrating the tomb with an angel inside.

Later, around 11am, as you drove down Winchester Road, you could see a multitude of eggs spread across the grounds at Calvary United Methodist Church.

“I believe that this is the largest egg hunt in the area!” said Pastor Heather Olson-Bunnell filled with excitement as she talked to a large group of anxious egg seekers with their baskets in hand. “Collect the eggs,” said Pastor Heather, “then remember the new life that Jesus gave to us.” After the children lined up outside the church, near the end of the parking lot, organizer Chris Rowlett, gave the count down, “Three… Two… One!” The children took off gathering over 1500 eggs. Every child went home with at least 35 eggs. And, some with a “golden” egg. One of the “golden” eggs was found by eight-year-old Nayate Brown. This “golden” egg, with a special prize attached, was found hanging in a pine tree.

Inside the church, volunteers Nancy Dickerson and Amy Beck put an extra special table together to help explain the Easter story. In this event, they had snacks that represented important parts of Easter, in hopes that the children will remember it for years to come.

As the children gathered at the table, they were given a plastic-colored egg to open. At each station they gathered a treat and put it inside their egg. The first station was a pretzel stick which represented the cross. The next, craisins-Jesus’ blood and the fact that He died for each of us on the cross. A round cracker, at the next station, represented the stone that was rolled away from the tomb where Jesus was laid after he was crucified. Then, Goldfish crackers-where the ladies talked about being fishers of men. “Jesus called out to them, ‘Come follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ Matthew 4:19. The next station was a bowl of pastel-colored M&Ms. “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” they said. And, the very last treat was a bright white marshmallow. “He is risen!”

Hippity, Hoppity Easter is on its way in Waynedale! This weekend, on Saturday, March 31 at 11am Avalon Missionary Church, 1212 Lower Huntington Road, will be holding their Easter Egg Hunt. They will begin inside for a huddle, donuts, coffee and drinks and then head out to hunt for eggs. The community is invited.