{"id":17387,"date":"2018-04-03T00:18:16","date_gmt":"2018-04-03T04:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=17387"},"modified":"2018-04-27T10:18:45","modified_gmt":"2018-04-27T14:18:45","slug":"pumc-preparing-to-hunt-easter-eggs-3-31-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=17387","title":{"rendered":"PUMC and Neighbors Hunt Easter Eggs! (3\/31\/18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Easter and the Holy week leading into it is a time for introspection and preparation. It’s a deeply spiritual time. But, it’s also a time for family; a time to celebrate the gift of love (and the gift of Spring). And so, we celebrate all facets of Easter- including the tradition of and Easter Egg hunt!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

On the Saturday before Easter (3\/31\/18) we invited everyone to help us celebrate. About 500 people came out to enjoy the food, magic show, and- of course- the Easter Egg Hunt. Over 8,000 eggs were scattered across our lawn and we needed all the help we could get in order to pick them up!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Here’s a taste of of our special morning together…<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Lunch…<\/span><\/h3>\n

The morning’s activities started in the Fellowship Hall where we were treated to lunch (hot dogs and pizza). While we were there, we decorated the bags which will be used to hold the eggs…<\/p>\n\n\t\t

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Magic by Ed…<\/span><\/h4>\n

After lunch, we went to the sanctuary to enjoy “Magic by Ed<\/span><\/a>“…<\/p>\n\n\t\t

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The Hunt is On!<\/span><\/h4>\n

Finally- it was time for the “Big Hunt.” The lawn was sectioned off into age groups. Then when the time came, the hunt was started! First for the youngest and then for the oldest (yes, the adults got a shot too!)…<\/p>\n\n\t\t

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Redeemed!<\/span><\/h4>\n

After all of the eggs were collected, it was time to get the special prizes. Most of the eggs were packed with candy, but some of them contained coupons entitling the bearer to a prize (something too big to fit into the egg shell). We went back into the fellowship hall to redeem our coupons and collect the special prizes…<\/p>\n\n\t\t

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\"\" <\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\n

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Easter Egg Hunts???<\/span><\/h3>\n

“Church” is filled with important and serious things: meetings, missions, worship, prayer, Bible Study. But Christ also told us to love one another. Sometimes we just need to hang out together and enjoy each other’s company. And that was what this day was all about. We enjoyed hot dogs, laughed and marveled at a magic show, and then we enjoyed the outdoors with our kids- inspired by their enthusiasm and energy.<\/p>\n

Fellowship is when we can share each other’s company. Fellowship occurs when we enjoy food together, when our imagination is stretched, when we’re inspired together. Once we develop relationships, we can do the serious stuff. Once we know each other, we can share our experiences, learn from each other, and marvel together at how God has touched each of us.<\/p>\n

And while “church” does include a lot of “serious stuff,” church is probably even more so about developing relationships. When we know each other well enough, we can help each other through life’s rough spots, and we can help each other grow closer to our loving God.<\/p>\n

Why have an Easter Egg Hunt? One line in the PUMC Purpose Statement sums it up:<\/p>\n

“That we create a climate where Spiritual Growth occurs<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

Hot dogs, magic bunnies, and plastic eggs worked together to build a climate of growth on this special sunny day. It was a chance to make memories with family and chance to make new friends. Thanks to all who came out and made it happen!<\/p>\n

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Our next big event for kids is our 2018 Vacation Bible School! During the Egg Hunt, flyers were handed out about our “Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus” program. Read the following post for details…<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus Rescues During our 2018 Vacation Bible School! (6\/25\/18)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n