Many opportunities to celebrate Easter in Groton

Have you ever wondered why the date for Easter Sunday varies from year to year? According to Wikipedia, the date of Easter is determined via a complex algorithm that places Easter on the first Sunday after the first astronomical full moon, on or after March 21.

For 2025, that algorithm places Easter on April 20, and in Groton, the Groton Fire Department (GFD) and seven local churches are ready to offer the community a plethora of ways to celebrate it.

The GFD will kick things off with its traditional Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 19, with special-colored eggs that have prizes inside, and lots of candy. The hunt segregates by age group, beginning at 9 a.m. for age three and under; 9:20 a.m. for ages four through six; and 9:40 a.m. for ages seven through 10.    

“We are excited to host the hunt at our new facility at 308 Main St.,” GFD Chief Eric DeForrest said. “As we have settled into our new station, we have capitalized on the opportunities of hosting events in-house, not only utilizing our new space, but allowing the events to bring people in to see it.”

DeForrest added that they will use the outside of the building if weather permits; if not, they will utilize the inside.

Groton Assembly of God Church will hold a sunrise service at Stonehedges Golf Course at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 20, with a short time of worship and a teaching based on the resurrection of Jesus.

At 10 a.m. at the church, 701 S. Main St., there will be a time of worship with music, followed by the Easter drama “It Is Finished,” written by a church member. The drama presents challenges people face and how they can find help in light of Easter, a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. KidsConnect is offered at the same time in the children’s wing, for children five years old to sixth grade.

The cast in the drama includes Justin and Melissa Besler; Keith and Marcia Blanchard; Steve Chandler; John Huether; Asante Julius; Solomon Lamb; Erin Neno; Sam Neno; Mike Rinchack; Caesar, Nadia, Natalia, Nayaliz and Zuleika Torres; Art Webb; and a “crowd.”

“In particular, we will be seeking what was accomplished when Jesus said from the cross, ‘It is finished!’” said Pastor Sam Neno. “We invite people seeking hope, encouragement and healing to join us for our Easter services. We share the same word that has been preached for 2,000 years. All are welcome. Please come as you are; we dress casually.”

Groton City Church will hold an Easter sunrise service at 8:15 a.m. at 1034 Old Stage Rd., at Sheldon Clark’s pond. Reverend James Hicks will lead worship. Immediately following will be breakfast at the church, 47 Groton City Rd., followed by a 10 a.m. Easter service with Reverend Rich Barron leading worship.

Groton Community Church (GCC), 204 E. Cortland St., offers a Good Friday service at 4 p.m., described by its minister, Reverend Dr. Barb E. Blom, as “A somber service as we prepare to give to Christ all that burdens us so that we can rise with joy on Easter morning!”

The GCC’s Easter Sunday service is at 9:30 a.m., the time of its regular Sunday services.

“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!” Blom said. “We are a loving and fun community who seek to follow the teaching and life of Jesus, who taught us to care for each other, our neighbors and all of creation.”

Blom is available for spiritual or pastoral counseling or just to chat at revbarbe@gmail.com.

On Easter Sunday, Heritage Baptist Church, 108 Elm St., will host guest speaker Pastor Everett Napuunoa, who has most recently pastored in Parishville, New York, and has now retired. He will speak in Sunday School at 10 a.m. and Sunday service at 11 a.m.

Saint Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, 312 Locke Rd., will hold its Easter Sunday mass on Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. The church’s typical weekly masses are held at 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Father John Gagnier is the parochial administrator.

The New Testament Church of Peruville, 1380 Peruville Rd., will hold a 7 a.m. sunrise service, followed by a free pancake breakfast at 8:15, after which will be a 9:30 service featuring the cantata “It is Finished,” arranged and orchestrated by Russell Mauldin of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing.

Pastor John Iler welcomes all for Easter and for regular Sunday services at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., youth group Sunday nights from 6:15 to 7:30, Kids Club (ages 4 through 11) Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and prayer meetings 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Pastor Chip Wood of West Groton Bible Church, 854 Cobb St., invites all to come to worship this Easter season. He said, “There will be a Good Friday service at 6 p.m., focused on Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross, and an Easter worship service at 10:30 a.m. Come and celebrate as we worship the risen Savior, Christ our King. We provide a nursery for parents of young children up to age three.”

“A good share of our services consist of worship in music,” Wood explained. “Come as you are; we wear what we like. You will find a friendly group of people of all ages from the surrounding area and beyond. My wife and I fell in love with these dear saints long before we started ministering here. Now that we have been here for a year, the bond just keeps growing deeper. If you’re looking for a church family, we trust that you will enjoy it here, too!” 

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Happenings at the Groton Public Library

• The GPL Board of Trustees annual meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. This annual meeting will include elections and a budget vote. It is an open meeting, and the public is welcome. 
• The Friends of the Library annual meeting will also be held Tuesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m., It is also an open meeting to which the public is invited.

Spaghetti supper

Groton City Church, 47 Groton City Rd. will hold one of its famous spaghetti suppers on Saturday, April 26 from 4 p.m. until gone. The supper includes great spaghetti, tossed salad, bread, beverage and dessert. Cost is a free-will offering and will benefit the fuel fund. The church is handicapped-accessible, and all are welcome.