For years I have have wanted to go to the Easter Sunrise Service at the cross in the Sutter Buttes that is put on by local churches in the town of Sutter. I've been up to the cross on many occasions, but never at sunrise on Easter morning. This is mostly because I'm usually too lazy to get up that early, or have had Church meetings that take precedence. But today was different. The gate opened at 5am and my two friends and I arrived just after 6:00. They squeeze the cars in up there bumper to bumper, so you're there for the whole program, whether you like it or or not. I saw several of my students, a couple of less active members who live in Sutter, and a really lovely sunrise, which I've tried to share in the 5 photos below.
Now, I'm not crazy about rock-n-roll music at worship services - especially when played in the background while someone prays, as happened his morning. But the scripture recitation was quite good (Mark 15-16, from the KJV no less, uncommon among Christian churches now days). And the "spoken word" if you will, was similar to what we might hear or give at a ward youth fireside.
I took pictures of the lighted cross, but don't include them here. One of my friends pondered what people might wear as a symbol of Christ if he had been executed by say, the "rack" from medieval times, or a modern firearm. Hmm, I can't quite picture people wearing a miniature uzi or even little rack around their neck - but it does make one think about what we are really focused on.
As for me, I only know that Christ lived on earth and was the only begotten son of our Heavenly Father in the flesh. I know that he suffered the atonement in Gethsemane and completed it at Golgotha. I know that he rose again on the third day, quite literally with "healing in his wings" and that because of his incomparable gift, all of us will rise after death also. Then we will happily receive the glory we have chosen to receive (because we have proven ourselves worthy of it) and live forever. This Easter reaffirms these truths in my heart and in my mind.
I took pictures of the lighted cross, but don't include them here. One of my friends pondered what people might wear as a symbol of Christ if he had been executed by say, the "rack" from medieval times, or a modern firearm. Hmm, I can't quite picture people wearing a miniature uzi or even little rack around their neck - but it does make one think about what we are really focused on.
As for me, I only know that Christ lived on earth and was the only begotten son of our Heavenly Father in the flesh. I know that he suffered the atonement in Gethsemane and completed it at Golgotha. I know that he rose again on the third day, quite literally with "healing in his wings" and that because of his incomparable gift, all of us will rise after death also. Then we will happily receive the glory we have chosen to receive (because we have proven ourselves worthy of it) and live forever. This Easter reaffirms these truths in my heart and in my mind.
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