Resurrection Sunday Celebrations
Sunrise Services are a traditional way to celebrate Resurrection Sunday and favored by Protestant Christians. Families arise on Easter Sunday while it's still dark, hurriedly wash and dress in their new Easter outfits. It would not be unusual for Mom and perhaps even the young girls to top off their Easter dresses with a flower corsage. It would also not be unusual for the family to cover their new Easter outfits with their old winter coat before heading out the door into the dark morning because the worship service they are preparing to attend will be held outside.
The traditional location for Sunrise Services is in a grave yard to symbolize that Jesus has risen from the dead. In more modern times these outdoor services are often held in parks or on church property or a favorite scenic location within the community. Often an empty cross will be temporarily erected on the sight, again, to symbolize the resurrection of the Christ. Folding chairs may be available but often worshipers will just stand during the service. As the congregates gather in the chill of the early morning darkness the whispered greeting "He is risen!" and the response "He is risen indeed!" can be heard.
The service itself may follow the church's regular worship schedule with opening hymns sung by the congregation, perhaps a solo hymn, an offering collection, a half hour or so of teaching and a final benediction, all centered around the theme of Christ's resurrection from the dead on the third day after His death by Crucifixion, thereby opening the door to eternal life for all believers.
Other congregations will have a shorter and simpler worship service by joining together to sing hymns of Christ's death and miraculous resurrection interspersed with prayers and Scripture reading.
Regardless of the type or length, the service is scheduled so worshipers may experience the rising of the sun as they worship and symbolically welcome the new eternal life provided by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Sunrise Services are usually quite moving for the individual worshipper, providing a special time to focus all of their attention on the promises made by Christ in the Scriptures.
Following the services the participants will gather at their own church or another location where breakfast is cooked and served by volunteers. After breakfast and a time of socializing some congregations will have another full worship service, this time inside the church building while others may have an easter egg roll. egg hunt or other family activity.
It is reasonable to expect that those believers who begin their celebration of Resurrection Sunday before sunrise will require a personal resurrection by afternoon.
