Easter 2021: Egg Hunts, Services And Meals In And Near Chelmsford

CHELMSFORD, MA — Easter festivities screeched to a halt last year as the pandemic hit the area. This year, things aren't quite back to "normal," but as mandates lift and organizers get creative, a slew of fun, family-friendly events are planned — virtual and in-person — to celebrate Easter, Passover and spring.

In Person Church: In Chelmsford, GracePoint Church will be holding an in person service, for those who register in advance for the 10 a.m. service, and adhere to COVID protocols.

Central Congregational UCC church is holding a service in person outside and online. The livestream begins at 10 a.m. and the outdoor service begins at 11:15 a.m. in Carson Park (or a drive-in church).

All Saint's Episcopal Church has a week full of events, some recorded, some live and some in-person.

In neighboring Westford, you can join Cornerstone Congregational Church at 10:30 a.m. for their Easter church service on the Westford Common.

Egg Hunt: Good Pickin Farms in Westford has an in-person Easter Egg Hunt ,for those with tickets. Starting at 10:30 a.m. April 3 there will be three 1.5 hour time slots limited to 50 children in order to maintain a safe environment.

Know of an event in town we should add? post it in the comment section below!

Most religious services went virtual during the Easter season last year, when the coronavirus pandemic was still fairly new and most states remained under strict shutdown orders in mid-April. This year, there’s more of a combination of virtual and in-person services taking place with the pandemic having passed the one-year mark.

Many major American archdioceses, such as in Boston, will continue to hold virtual services that will be streamed throughout Holy Week, which includes the Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday holidays leading up to Easter.

Good Friday, on April 2 this year, marks the death of Jesus Christ. Easter, two days later, celebrates the time when he was resurrected. The Sunday holiday falls on the Sunday after the first full moon of spring, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Religious traditions on Good Friday include periods of silence and fasting for many Christians, prominently in the Catholic faith.

Fairfax United Methodist Church in Virginia is also streaming its Holy Week services, with an in-person service offered to a limited number of attendees on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter.

Many Protestant churches will have their traditional sunrise services with keeping the 6 foot distancing in mind. The Daytona Beach Drive-In Christian Church is having its services on Easter morning, while the Colorado Council of Churches canceled its service at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre and instead will have Bishop Kym Lucas of the Episcopal Church in Colorado lead a virtual service.

One of the most celebrated Easter traditions outside of church is the Easter egg hunt, many of which were canceled last year but will return in some form in 2021. In Lowell, an egg hunt is planned:Leominster United Methodist Church is asking folks sign up for 30 minute time slots for 10 kids, and Arise City Church also in Lowell is having a drive-thru event, complete with prizes and the Easter Bunny.