LEWISTOWN - The congregation at Grove Memorial UMC still is celebrating Easter.
The chocolate bunnies have been eaten and the spring lilies have withered, but the Lewistown church has a continuous reminder of Christ's resurrection.
It helps when it's visual.
Article Photos
Sentinel photo by BUFFIE BOYER
Jeannine Brought displays a painting of Christ’s resurrection that she completed during the Easter Sunday service at Grove Memorial UMC in Lewistown.
Jeannine Brought, a locally known artist and painting instructor, brought the Easter story alive on April 8 with a special painted message. Her painting will be hung in the church as a continuous reminder of Christ's love and sacrifice.
In front of the Easter congregation, Brought painted her interpretation of the story on canvas. She put the finishing touches on the large piece as the resurrection story was read from John 20:1-18 and the congregation sang hymns of praise.
Brought said she never has done any kind of painting ministry before, but she agreed to try when Pastor Teresa Fink asked her.
She said she spent many hours working at home on the background and characters in the large painting, and finished some of the colors and details during the service.
The painting looks out of the empty tomb to see Jesus revealing himself to Mary Magdalene as the risen Christ.
The painting will be hung in the church as a treasured piece of its history, Fink said.
"The finished painting is an absolutely beautiful depiction of this scene," Fink said. "The message of Easter is that we do not need to remain in our dark tombs, but have been promised eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
The painting, Brought said, shows this often uncaptured perspective of the story.
"The Lord inspires you to do what ever comes out," Brought said. "I give Him all the credit."
A print reproduction of the painting will be auctioned at Grove's upcoming church auction starting at 9 a.m. July 7 at Steven's Auction Center in Lewistown. All proceeds will benefit the ministries of Grove Memorial, 611 S. Main St., Lewistown.
Prints also may be purchased directly from Jeannine Brought by contacting her at 543-5736.
