How to go
What: Easter Sunday Sunrise Service
Where: Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton
When: 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 5
More info: 937-222-4322 or www.christianconnections.org
It’s always a beautiful sight to watch the sun come up over the horizon. Include a worship service, and it’s even more glorious.
Greater Dayton Christian Connections and Dayton History will host the 74th annual Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. this Sunday at Carillon Historical Park.
“Easter Sunrise Service has a rich tradition in the Dayton area. It is a beautiful and meaningful service in the Christian faith tradition,” says the Rev. Crystal Walker, executive director of Greater Christian Connections.
The 57 bells encased in the 151-foot tower rang at Deeds Carillon Park during the very first Easter Sunday celebration in 1942. The largest carillon in Ohio was built at the request of Col. Edward Deeds and funded by his wife, Edith Walton Deeds. As a musician, she was inspired by the carillons she had seen in Europe and wanted to present a carillon to the people of Dayton as a gift.
“This Easter Sunrise Service is a tradition, more than anything else. It really is more about carrying on the tradition and providing this opportunity to the community,” said Carillon Historical Park’s director of development Lauren Bayliff. “Greater Dayton Christian Connections helps with the service, and we typically have an organization share their mission with the audience. This year it’s Bikers for Christ Ohio.”
This event is an ecumenical gathering, and all are welcome to participate. Church members from a variety of denominations will mingle with the general public to celebrate the Easter season. Attendees may wish to bring lawn chairs or blankets for this free worship service.
This year’s message will be delivered by the Rev. Rodney Kennedy, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, on West Monument Avenue in Dayton, and board member of Rebuilding Together Dayton. Diann Barlow of Sulphur Grove United Methodist Church will provide the ministry of music, accompanied by Timothy Green of Summit Christian Church. The Silent Praise Mime Team from SCC will also perform during the service.
The program includes a prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication by Mary Sue Gmeiner of Creation Connections and Ohio Interfaith Power and Light. The Lord’s Prayer will be part of the service, as well as the Alfred Ackley hymn “He Lives.” Alex Heckman will be in charge of a blessing and dismissal. Music by carillon player Larry Weinstein will conclude the service.
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