Outdoor Easter Worship Caps Off Meaningful Holy Week
More than 200 worshippers gathered on the east parking lot of the church grounds last Sunday to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Warm sunshine, festive music led by the Lancaster Brass Quintet, and a reunion of the church after not meeting for worship since November buoyed spirits of the 216 worshippers in attendance. The service concluded with a 65-voice volunteer choir singing Handel’s Messiah, under the direction of Emery DeWitt and accompanied by the brass and organist Margaret Marsch.
If you missed it, or would like to experience it again, you can watch a recording of the service here.
In addition to those attending the outdoor service, the Maranatha service also resumed live worship in Spanish in the chapel with attendance of 12.
Prior to the services, the Hospitality Ministry Team served a delicious breakfast to nearly 150 diners, and people enjoyed greeting each other in person, instead of on a screen.
Staff also produced the regular online service, which featured Pastor Misty’s same sermon “Better Than Christmas,” but used different musical pieces, some produced for this year and others recorded in the Sanctuary on Easter 2019. As of Thursday, that service had received 246 views. (After you watch the online service for the right reasons, rewind and take a closer look at Dee Zimmerman’s frame on the lower right of the screen during the virtual choir’s rendition of Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. At about the 59-minute mark you’ll see an unexpected guest.)
On Saturday, a Covid-safe Easter Egg Hunt attracted 65 children, along with at least as many parents and grandparents. Fun was had by all, said primary planner Jamie Nace, as both children and adults completed a variety of activities as they looked for colorful Easter egg posters. Some of the activities helped to tell a portion of the Easter story, as did the book each family received. Each child also received a goody bag filled with fun treats. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the joy of Easter!
On Maundy Thursday evening the church gathered via Zoom for love feast, held jointly with the Wilmington COB. Fifty-five communicants participated, including about 15 from Wilmington. Pastors Misty and Don, Bob Wintsch, and Karen Hackett provided leadership. Jessica Dunbar and Emery DeWitt, accompanied by Mary Ellen DeWitt, recorded the Spiritual He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word for the service. Listen to the song by clicking here.