Nathan Jeffers/photo

On Wednesday, one of several Lenten Luncheons were held at the Trinity United Methodist Church. Pictured are workers attempting to keep up with the long line of attendees, who are there to help prepare for Easter Sunday.

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POINT PLEASANT — Easter Sunday is a time for churchgoers to take pause and reflect on their faith.

For the younger ones, there is an excitement that comes with hunting eggs and finding treats left behind by the Easter Bunny, while adults often focus on the resurrection of Christ, and, in turn, look for more ways they can serve others. One way many Christians in Mason County prepare themselves for this particular holiday is by attending weekly Lenten luncheons.

James Lawson, pastor of Bellemeade United Methodist Church and President of the Mason County Ministerial Association, said that these luncheons are held for area Christians to prepare themselves for Easter. He went on to say this event is only one of the many the Ministerial Association put on in the county. The Lenten luncheons first began on Ash Wednesday, February 22, and will continue every Wednesday until April 4, the Wednesday before Easter Sunday. There will also be a special service held on Good Friday at the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church.

This week’s luncheon was held at the Trinity United Methodist Church, though Lawson said the location varies from week to week. Following lunch, which consists of soup, sandwiches, drinks and cookies, there is a message shared by an area pastor. This week, Pastor Richard Sargent of the Main Street Baptist Church was the featured speaker.

Lawson also said the luncheons are open to individuals, as well as groups from churches, since the luncheons are interdenominational. He went on to say there are normally around 110 people who attend the luncheons from various churches, some of which include the Trinity United Methodist Church, Bellemeade United Methodist Church, the Fishermen’s Net Church, St. Paul’s Good Shepherd Church, Heights United Methodist Church, Main Street Baptist Church and Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church.

While these luncheons are free, Lawson said voluntary donations are collected at the door. The money from the donations, Lawson said, goes to support the Ministerial Association’s scholarship fund. Two scholarships are awarded in the fall to graduating seniors or those already pursuing post-secondary education. In addition to pursuing higher education, it was also reported the student must be an active member of a Mason County church, and recommended by their pastor.