CHESAPEAKE — Chesapeake United Methodist Church will observe Holy Week and invites the community to join in special evenings of worship on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

On Thursday, April 2, Maudy Thursday worship will be at 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Christians observe the last hours Jesus spent with his disciples prior to his trial and crucifixion. Holy Communion will be available to all who are in attendance.

Good Friday worship will be offered at 7 p.m. on April 3. The observance will feature a service of Tenebrae, or “darkness,” which is based on a 12th-century service and is an extended meditation on the passion of Christ as told in John’s Gospel.

All ages are welcome to these gatherings.

The church will also host its second annual Community Easter Worship Celebration at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 5 at the Chesapeake Community Center gymnasium. The worship celebration will feature Easter music, the story from the Bible of the first Easter morning, music by the choir and an Easter message from pastor Chuck Case.

Free refreshements and coffee will be available as well.

There will be special activities for all children during the worship hour. Following the worship hour, there will be an Easter egg hunt on the grounds of the center, located at 3748 State Route 7 in Chesapeake. The Easter Bunny will be present for worship and for photos with everyone.

“Easter is the most joyful day of the Christian year, and we are offering this special opportunity, especially for those who are wanting to celebrate the real meaning of Easter yet might find entering a new church building a barrier,” said Case. “Our desire is to celebrate Jesus’ victory on Easter and take the celebration to a familiar setting.

The church will also host an early worship opportunity at 9:15 a.m. in the church sanctuary, located at 501 Second Ave. in Chesapeake.

For more information, call the church at 740-867-3848, or email chesapeakeumc@gmail.com. The church website is www.facebook.com/chesapeakeumc