Orchard Grove Church, on a new housing estate in Trull has celebrated it very first Easter with a series of events which drew the local community together in worship, reflection and fun. The estate is a 2000-home new housing development, with a growing church community Commissioned by All Saints Trull Church, has been established at the heart of this thriving local community.
Revd Jon Ball, one of the Orchard Grove Church team, reflected on the celebrations which took place during Easter, “Here at Orchard Grove Church we are praising God for the time we've had through our first Easter together.”
The celebrations began on a sunny Palm Sunday when 50 children joined the community-wide Easter Egg Hunt. Jon described how there was a real ‘buzz’ in the area as families enjoyed sweet treats and were given Easter story booklets.
On Maundy Thursday the church hosted a communal meal, which marked the start of a 24-hour prayer initiative running through to Good Friday. The meal was supported by volunteers, each shared their skills, time and effort to help make it a very special event. Jon said, “People signed up for different slots through the night and day. There was a family hour, and we had sung worship and Communion at different points.”
The Easter weekend culminated in a joyous celebration on Sunday morning attended by people from across the whole Orchard Grove community, Jon said, “It was a wonderful occasion celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. It was our largest service yet, even bigger than Christmas. Thank you, Lord for working in people's hearts on Orchard Grove, and for the life you give to us because of your cross and resurrection."