LIMA — From egg hunts and worship services to fellowship gatherings and community dinners, there was no shortage of Easter events in the Lima area Sunday.
Two of the largest events included the 25th Annual Easter Dinner in downtown Lima, and an Easter service at the Allen County Fairgrounds.
Though it’s been an Easter Sunday staple for the last quarter-century, this year’s Easter Dinner was the first time Tom Ahl Family of Dealerships sponsored the event. The Ahls took over for the Ellis family, who had served the dinner for the last 24 years.
Ahl said the opportunity to sponsor the event was a “blessing.”
“We’re happy to be able to serve our community,” said Ahl, who stood near the front of the food line, greeting each person as they walked in. “We’re especially happy to do this on Easter, when it’s all about Christ and his resurrection. We’re glad to be here as his servants.”
Ahl said he expected more than 1,000 people to show up for the dinner, which was held at the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center. The meal included ham, beans, mashed potatoes, bread, and desserts. It also featured an appearance by the Easter Bunny, who took numerous “selfies” with smiling children.
Along with Ahl and his family, 50 volunteers took time from their Easter festivities to serve food during the two-hour event. Ahl said the fact that so many people volunteered to serve is evidence of the giving nature of the Lima community.
“What a great community we have,” Ahl said. “These volunteers could have been with their families, but they’re here serving. They’re all a blessing to this community.”
Around the same time as the Easter Dinner, church members from Lima First Assembly of God were putting on a similarly large event at the Fairgrounds. It featured multiple church services, along with a “Kids Connection” program for preschool and school-age children.
A mix of praise and worship, fellowship and Easter-themed activities were put on by numerous volunteers from the church, each wearing a blue shirt with the words “413 in the 419” and “Through Christ I Can.”
“What that means is that I can do all things through Christ because he strengthens me,” said Rachel Graham, a member of Lima First Assembly and a volunteer at the event. “It comes from a Scripture verse from 1 Corinthians, and the reason why we did that is because we’re trying to reach the 90,000 people who don’t attend church in Lima.”
At the event, children participated in praise and worship, and played games that were meant to incorporate the message of Jesus Christ. There was also a massive egg hunt, which allowed hundreds of children to walk away with candy and prizes.
“The biggest thing we’re celebrating is Jesus and his resurrection, but at the same time we’re mixing in some fun activities,” Graham said. “We’re trying to encourage people to realize that church can be fun, so that’s what it’s all about. We want to show people that God is awesome, and just bring some energy into the community.”
Other events throughout the day included an Easter egg hunt at Westside United Methodist Church in Lima, and an Easter service at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert.
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