High Desert Worshippers Celebrate Easter

Central Oregonians gathered in celebrations of Easter Sunday, one of the most sacred days of the year for the world’s Christians.

Almost 70 percent of U.S. adults celebrate Easter as a religious holiday — and it’s and not just about decorating eggs and going on egg hunts, according to a recent survey by the American Bible Society and Barna Group.

As you would expect, churches were packed, like Mountain View Bible Church in Bend. It held a worship service at 10 a.m. with a sermon, readings and songs.

The pastor said Easter is a happy day for Christians.

“We’re really excited about celebrating Easter today,” said Pastor Chris Santaguida. “Obviously we are celebrating Jesus rising from the dead and victorious over the grave. (He) came and died for our sins and rose, so we can have new life.”

After the service, congregants made their way next door to what could be described as a Christian “Disneyland.”

The creators, David and Danise Lee, put together an Easter Carnival with food, games and prizes.

The Resurrection Games, as they are called, consisted of some creatively named activities.

Some of the games included: “Easter Baskets,” a basketball game, “Angry Eggs,” a variation of the popular Angry Birds game, a “Holy One” golf course, and “Hoops and Lollies”, a ring toss game.

A lot of hard work and creative thinking went into putting such events together.

“As tiring as it sometimes can be, and as frustrating as it sometimes is, when we get to the end and we see all these little happy faces and we know we made a difference in their lives, that’s what its all about,” Danise Lee said.

Lee said if there is one child that really walks away grasping what the true meaning of Easter is, it was all worth it.

The Lees have been creating games like this for the past 18 years. They enjoy the satisfaction of seeing their ideas come to life and for everyone enjoying them.