Easter sunrise service set for City of Palms Park
Congregations from throughout Southwest Florida will gather at City of Palms Park in downtown Fort Myers Easter Sunday, April 24, to worship and to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Doors open at 5:30 a.m. for the Easter Sunrise service, which begins at 6:30 a.m. There is no admission for the service or for parking at City of Palms Park (Red Sox stadium). Free coffee and pastries also will be served both before and after the service.
The Rev. John Q. Daugherty, pastor of First Baptist Church of Fort Myers, will deliver the inspirational message.
Ministers from a dozen area churches participated in the planning of this year’s annual Easter Sunrise service, which has become a tradition in Fort Myers.
Supporting the program will be Pastor Chuck Smith of Broadway Community Church, Rev. David Pleasant of Elevation Ministries, Rev. Gary E. Cox of First Christian Church, Rev. Paul deJong of First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers, Rev. Lia Icaza Willetts of First United Methodist Church, Rev. Arlene Jackson of Grace United Methodist Church – Fort Myers Central Campus, Rev. Philip D. Read, II, SSC, of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Rev. Jon Zehnder of St. Michael Lutheran Church, Rev. Dr. Israel Suarez of Templo Cristiano El Buen Samaritano, and Rev. Dr. Douglas Kelchner of Thomas A. Edison Congregational Church.
Additional churches are encouraged to bring their congregations to the service as well, according to organizers.
The Community Easter Sunrise Service has been a tradition since the 1950s and has moved over the years from the Fort Myers High School Stadium to Centennial Park to City of Palms Park. This is the 16th year that the service has been conducted at City of Palms Park. Last year, more than 4,500 people attended the service.
Music will be provided by the Southwest Florida Symphony Chorus and Brass Quintet along with the praise team “Scripture.” The service will be inter-denominational.
For more information about the Community Easter Sunrise Service, call 334-7747.