Sunrise Easter 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, March 23, to worship and to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Gates open at 5:45 a.m. for the Easter Sunrise service, which begins at 6:45 a.m. There is no admission for the service or for parking at City of Palms Park. Free coffee and pastries also will be served both before and after the service.

Pastors from eight area churches participated in the planning for this year's annual Easter Sunrise service, which has become a tradition in Fort Myers. The inspirational message will be by Pastor Chuck Smith of Broadway Community Church in Fort Myers.

Also supporting the program will be Pastor Gregory Ford of First Assembly Cornerstone, Rev. John Q. Daugherty of First Baptist Church of Fort Myers, Rev. Dr. Gerald Wise of First Presbyterian Church, Rev. James R. Rosenburg of First United Methodist Church, Rev. Philip D. Read, II, SSC, of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Rev. Jon Zehnder of St. Michael Lutheran Church, and Pastor Robert Kasten of Southwest Baptist Church.

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 13th year that the service has been conducted at City of Palms Park. Last year, more than 2,000 people attended the service.

For more information about the Community Easter Sunrise Service, call 332-1152.