Pequea Evangelical Congregational (E.C.) Church, 5482 Old Philadelphia Pike, Gap, began holding an Easter egg hunt a few years ago. Pastor Jesse Bills noted that the event has grown steadily, attracting about 150 people last year.

The Easter egg hunt, which is open to area children from 3 years of age to sixth grade, will be held on Friday, March 31, beginning at 6:30 p.m. "We have held them on the Friday of Palm Sunday weekend," said Bills, who noted that participants will register at a table inside the church when they arrive.

The event will begin with a video presenting the Gospel message of Easter. Following the video, participants will move outside to the church yard, where the egg hunt will be held. "We will have 2,000 eggs," said Bills, who noted that church members fill the eggs with individually wrapped pieces of candy prior to distributing them in the church yard.

Following the egg hunt, the church will hold a movie night. "We will pick (a few) movies, and people will vote on which one we will show that night," said Bills, who noted that the film selections will include "VeggieTales: An Easter Carol" and "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown," "The Prince of Egypt," and "The Jungle Book." Free refreshments that will be served during the movie will include hot dogs, popcorn, and snacks.

Holy Week services at the church will include a service on Good Friday, April 7, from noon to 3 p.m. Participating congregations, in addition ot Pequea E.C., will be Pequea Presbyterian, Limeville United Methodist Church, and Mount Airy E.C. Church, with a representative from each church focusing on the theme of "Predictions of the Cross." "Each speaker will discuss an Old Testament prediction of the cross," Bills explained.

On Easter Sunday, April 9, a sunrise service will be held outdoors at the church at 7 a.m. "We will have a short message and live music outside," said Bills, who added that following the service, brunch will be served inside the church, followed by the traditional Easter Sunday service at 9 a.m.

More information about the church may be found by searching for "Pequea Church" on Facebook. Readers who have questions about any of the church Easter events may email pequeaevents@gmail.com.