Outpouring of many emotions

From the reverent observance of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday to the solemn reflections on Good Friday and finally the joy of Easter Sunday morning, Easter Week at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church carried deep meaning for both members of our church and the congregation from the Church of the Nazarene.

The CEUMC meal on Maundy Thursday. (Photo by Mark Braun)

Our church hosted members of the Church of the Nazarene for a Maundy Thursday gathering in the Narthex. Everyone shared a meal, prayers and communion while reflecting on the night of Jesus’ Last Supper. The Church of the Nazarene then hosted a service for mourning and reflecting on the events of Good Friday.

Everyone was invited to an Easter Egg Hunt at our church on the following morning, which included a surprise visit from a six-foot Easter Bunny. There of course was the challenging hunt for eggs in and around the church grounds, but also time for games, the painting of a mural supervised by Shirley Maxwell, the potting of plants, the dyeing of eggs and the breaking of an Easter pinata.

A large Easter Bunny was part of the festivities at the Easter Egg Hunt on the morning before Easter. (Photo by Mark Braun)

 The Easter Sunrise Service at Two Lights was warmer than past years, but unfortunately, the sunrise wasn’t visible over the ocean. Instead, choruses of birds accompanied the sermon by Jon Twitchell of the Church of the Nazaraene and a reading by Bishop Cliff Ives.

After the Sunrise Service, the Church of the Nazarene once again hosted a breakfast for everyone who had attended the outdoor service.

The 10 a.m. Easter service at our church was blooming with the signs of new life, from the many plants and flowers donated by members of the congregation to the colorful butterflies that wafted down from the ceiling of the sanctuary, replacing the stars that had adorned the Christmas services.

Laurel Underwood, Gail Parker’s sister, was invited to give the Easter benediction after our church presented her with a stole. Laurel is beginning a new Presbyterian ministry this week in Silver Springs, Maryland.

The Easter morning theme was love and life —  and it was very much apparent, including in this heart-shaped stigma of this Easter lily.

 Click here for more images from Mark Braun of Easter Week at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church:

Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Sunrise Service at Two Lights

Easter morning at CEUMC