How to Hold an Easter Sunrise Service for Your Family

By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

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What better way to welcome Easter and remember and celebrate Christ's rising from the grave than having a private sunrise service with your family?

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Umbrellas
Hymnals Or Printed Hymns
Fresh Flowers
Breakfast Bars
Folding Chairs

Step1

Decide where you want to hold your service a few days before Easter. If you're going to hold it in your backyard, set up chairs for your family (facing East) the night before. If you're going to hold it in a park, get everything packed and ready to go the night before.

Step2

Check the paper to see what time the sun is going to rise on Easter. Set your alarms so that you have enough time to get everyone outside and dressed before the sun rises.

Step3

Make sure everyone gets to bed early so it won't be a war getting the kids out of bed before sunup.

Step4

Feed the family something simple and quick - such as a breakfast bar - before you begin your service; they'll be energized and won't complain of starving to death halfway through the service.

Step5

Give each family member a role in the service. A parent or older child can read the Easter story from the Bible (Matthew 28:1-10, John 3:16). Another child can read the 23rd psalm. A grandparent can lead the family in prayer. Little ones can hold bouquets of fresh flowers, or pass out a single Easter lily to each family member.

Step6

After the sun rises sing an Easter hymn of praise together, such as "Christ the Lord is Risen Today."

Step7

Close your service by joining hands and saying the Lord's Prayer together out loud.

Step8

Head back inside (or back home) and have a hearty breakfast together, and then get dressed in your Easter finery and go to church.

Tips & Warnings

Have everyone lay out warm, comfortable clothes the night before.
The forecast may be clear, but bring an umbrella or two with you just in case.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 We live in the mountains of Colorado, with many trees on 40 acres. To the east of our property is a nice clearing. The view of the sunrise is beautiful, as is Pikes Peak to the south. We hold an Easter sunrise service every year for friends and relatives. People we don't know have heard by word of mouth, and come also. The first year we did this, my husband, and the youth pastor of our church, built a large cross and erected it over on The Point (as we call it). Each year, my husband runs about 400 feet of cord, and has a spotlight shining on the cross. People see it as they approach. Music is also playing from a CD. Amazing Grace, played by bagpipes, is always played. Last year we had live bagpipes players. During the service, each person releases a helium balloon, to represent the resurrection of Christ. Sometimes we put wildflower seeds in the balloons, or our name. One year, we had a smaller cross, and we had each person put a nail in it, representing their sins, and then carried it over to The Point and set it under the big cross.

We always sing songs and have communion each year. After the service is over, everyone comes back to our house for a potluck breakfast. We always have a big crowd of 50 or more people.
Two years ago, the youth pastor, who always does the service, met a nice young woman at our Easter service. When they decided to get married, they wanted to do it on The Point, where they had met. My husband built permanent benches at The Point, and we lined the pathway with rocks. Now, at Easter, people have something to sit on. My husband and I, after 25 years of marriage, just renewed our vows over at The Point, too. We have also had a funeral service there. It is a beautiful place, with a wonderful view of God's creation, and everyone loves to come here for Easter. I hope our ideas can be of use to someone else.

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