Sunrise Service at Garden Tomb Easter Sunday

My morning started at 4:30 am. We were up early, to be ready to leave the JC by 5:10am, so we could attend the Easter Sunrise Service at the Garden Tomb. The Sunrise service was from 6:30am to 7:30am and they were expecting over 1,000 people so we needed to be there early. This was an optional activity for the JC students, but I think they were all there this morning. It was a great experience to be here with other Christians who had also traveled far to be here for Easter Sunday. I don't think Derek or Daniel will ever forget this Easter Service. They also attended the Midnight Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with about 40 students.

The service was more Evangelical & Anglican. There was a musical performing group of 14 Christians who sang and played musical instruments. We were all given programs for the service that had the words to the music so we could join in. The CEO of the Garden Tomb welcomed us and then we sang ten songs. In-between the songs we heard from the Minister, Preacher, a reading from Matthew about Resurrection Morning and a closing prayer from the Chaplain at the Garden Tomb. There were some traditional songs and some that we have in our hymn book like Jesus Christ is Risen Today (the words were a bit different-tune was the same). The liveliest song was, “O Happy Day”. The whole congregation really got into that song with the hands waving and bodies swaying. It was a good experience to participate in, although a bit different from our sacrament meetings.

It was a Beautiful Easter Morning with a clear blue sky, sunrays coming through the trees, birds singing, trees in blossom and beautiful flowers planted throughout the garden. The garden tomb is cared for by a Christian group who take extra care of the gardens and grounds, I think this is the most peaceful site to visit here. What a glorious message we ponder this Easter Sunday..."He is not here-For He is Risen!" Happy Easter!

PS We returned to the JC after the service and left at 9am to travel to Galilee. We will be here at the Ein Gev Kibbutz for 11days studying the New Testament and the life of the Savior.