Sunrise Service

"But, I want to wear my new dress. Why can't I wear my new dress", I was in tears. When you are 7 years old; it's Easter and you can't wear your new dress to the sunrise service, you just know it's the end of the world.

"Because, like I told you, it's cold on Saunders Heights. The wind is blowing up a gale and you'll catch your death of cold.  Now, go get your long pants on; pull that sweater over your head and get your coat, hat and your gloves. I told you that you can wear your new dress to church under your coat because it's warm inside. But, you cannot wear it to the sunrise service, understand?  Now, hurry up because your daddy is in the car warming it up."

Sunrise services atop Saunders Heights was a very special time for the members of First Baptist Church, the big red brick church down the street from the post office in our town.  My cousin led the music at our church so he led the music at the sunrise service. Our pastor read some scripture and preached while we all stood in the early morning air and thought about the sacrifice Jesus had made for our sins many centuries ago.

My family always went to the sunrise service when I was growing up. It didn't matter if it was cold or if the sun was bright and the birds singing in the trees above our heads as we stood on the mountain.  It was a special time even if I didn't get to wear my new Easter dress.

Easter...........that time of year when we remember our Lord and what He did for us. He came to us as that Christmas Child who was laid in a manger.  But, more significant than that day is the day He rose from the dead, having taken on the sins of the whole world, so we didn't have to die.

^"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 NIV