By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— To accompany its annual Maundy Thursday Communion and Easter services, Lakeview Pelham’s First United Methodist Church is hosting its first Easter egg hunt March 20.

“We love our community and we want them to have a great time,” said Pastor Michael Miller. “The kids can come and have a great, fun day of free candy and inflatables and games and free door prizes.”

From noon to 2 p.m. the church will provide a potluck lunch with sides and desserts, as well as inflatables and door prizes. Children babies to age 12 can participate in an egg hunt.

Miller said the children will be divided into age groups and chaperoned by members of Lakeview’s children’s programs to ensure everyone involved has a good time.

“We want to be a lighthouse for our community, and let them know that God’s love knows no boundaries and no barriers,” Miller said. “We want them to come and check us out and see what we have to offer.”

Miller said he wants the church to open up to the community, so the community can get to know the congregation. The church will be sending out 10,000 mailers announcing the egg hunt to residents in the community.

As part of its Easter celebration, Lakeview will also host its annual Maundy Thursday Communion service in sanctuary March 24 at 6:30 p.m. This event commemorates the last communion before Jesus died.

On Easter Sunday, March 27, Lakeview’s sunrise service begins at 6:30 a.m. at the lake with additional and Easter services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. At 10 a.m. there will be a church-wide brunch in the Fellowship Hall.

“Typically, that week is going to be our busiest as far as most attended services,” Miller said. “Lord willing, we’ll have more than 500 in worship. It just gives people a chance to experience hope.”

Miller said they usually have a good turn out for their events and they are looking forward to reaching out to the community for the event.

Lakeview Pelham’s First United Methodist Church is located at 5154 County Road 11. Fore more information, call 663-3309. To donate plastic stuffed eggs for the event, contact the children’s director, Kim Hutchens, at 903-2467.