Easter Sunrise Service Atop the Rock

One of the most meaningful Stone Mountain Park events, the 67th Annual Easter Sunrise Service, will be held this Sunday, April 24,  at 7 a.m.

I recently heard someone say that this service was on their bucket list. I asked her why she hadn’t been yet, and she answered that it was so early, and she would have to force the kids to get up and get out the door, too. It made me remember my mom getting us up for an Easter Sunrise Service when I was about 7 years old. It was a brisk morning in my Easter dress, and I had to quickly see what the Easter bunny had left me, so I was not a happy camper. But once we got to the service though, even as a kid, I thought what a peaceful time it was to be with my family. I will always remember that Easter.

Cars will come pouring into Stone Mountain Park in the early hours of Sunday morning. Whether the worshippers are hiking up the mountain or taking the cable cars, all are in search of being closer to God. For those who don’t want to go to the top of the mountain, a service is also available at the base of Stone Mountain on the Memorial Lawn.

It all began back in 1944, before the land around Stone Mountain was officially owned by the State of Georgia. Lucille A. Lanford, from Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church, had the idea to take her youth group to the top of Stone Mountain on Easter morning to watch the sunrise. The rest, as they say, is history. The event grew from that one youth group to thousands ascending the mountain every Easter since.

Today several churches come together to organize the annual event: Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church, Stone Mountain First Baptist Church, Smoke Rise Baptist Church and support from Stone Mountain Ministries. Rev. Larry T. Burgess, retired minister of Lucerne Baptist Church, will preside over the service at the top of Stone Mountain, and Rev. Lynn Holleman, of Annistown Road Baptist Church, will preside over the Memorial Lawn service.

Services start at 7 a.m. Make sure to allow an extra hour or more for large crowds. If you are hiking, you may want an even earlier start since it will still be dark. Stone Mountain Park will open its gates and the Summit Skyride extra early at 4 a.m. Continental breakfast items and coffee are available at the Summit Snack concession stand on top of the mountain.

Having attended at least eight services in my 12 years at the park, the routine is the same: my alarm goes off at 2 a.m. to get to the park by 4 a.m. I have to admit that it is always difficult to motivate myself to get up and get going at that hour. But I am always awe-struck and thankful when the sun rises and there is an orange glow around the wooden cross on top of the mountain. There is something so special about standing atop an 825 foot rock and hearing the words of the Gospel. I feel reborn -- ready to face what the year has in store for me.

So if you still haven’t crossed the Stone Mountain Easter Sunrise Service off of your bucket list, don’t hit your snooze button this Sunday morning. 

*Jeanine Jones is the Public Relations Manager at Stone Mountain Park.