Easter Sunrise Service at City Of Palms Park

Congregations from throughout Southwest Florida will gather at City of Palms Park in downtown Fort Myers Easter Sunday, April 12, 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. Free coffee and pastries also will be served both before and after the service.

The inspirational message will be by Evangelist Brent Crowe, who is the executive director of conferences under the umbrella of the Student Leadership University in Orlando.

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. Supporting the program will be Pastor Chuck Smith of Broadway Community Church, 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 of Fort Myers, Rev. Jim Mitchell 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 Rev. Dr. Israel Suarez of Templo Cristiano El Buen Samaritano.

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 14th year that the service has been conducted at City of Palms Park. Last year, more than 2,000 people attended the service.

Music will be provided by the Southwest Florida Symphony Chorus and Brass Quintet. The service will be inter-denominational.

For more information about the Community Easter Sunrise Service, call 334- 2261.