Story Category: Worship »

There are Easter Sunrise Services all over Southern Maryland this year at some spectacular settings. The services carry on a tradition started in 1732 in a Moravian congregation at Hernhut in the Upper Lusatian hills of Saxony, according to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia.

Easter Sunrise Services are largely practiced by Protestant churches and replace the traditional Easter Vigil in Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran traditions, although some churches of those denominations have embraced the sunrise service locally.

According to Wikipedia, many American churches in the South have Easter Sunrise Services in cemeteries as a recognition that Jesus had risen from the dead and was no longer in the tomb. One of the longest running Easter Sunrise Services in the South is also Moravian, at the historic Salem Congregation in what is now Winston-Salem. The Salem Congregation’s services go back to 1772 and feature thousands of worshipers gathering in front of the church and marching to the graveyard. The brass choir at the service numbers 500 pieces.

The following is a list of sunrise services on Easter Sunday in Southern Maryland as compiled by the Bay Net:

Anne Arundel County

Herrington Harbor South, Rose Haven -- Friendship United Methodist Church will hold a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. They also will hold services in the church at 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Friendship United Methodist Church- West Friendship Road, Friendship, Easter Sunrise Service starting at 7 a.m. at the church

St. James Parish- Route 2, Lothian. Outdoor Worship Service starts at 6:30 a.m.

Calvert County

Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons – Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church is holding a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., rain or shine. Dress warmly and casually. Breakfast and Easter egg hunt will follow the service. There also will be an indoor service at 10:30 a.m.at the church in Lusby.

 Randle Cliff Community Church -- A sunrise service will be held, weather permitting, at the non-denominational church overlooking the Chesapeake Bay in at 6:30 a.m. This is a free event.

Grace Brethren Church of Calvert County- Old Solomons Island Road, Owings Service begins at 7 a.m.

The Covenant Community of Jesus the Good Shepherd- West Mount Harmony Road, Owings, 6 a.m. Sunrise Mass in the outdoor pavilion

Calvary Bible Church- Lusby will hold Sunrise Service at the Drum Point Clubhouse starting at 6:30 a.m.

Dunkirk Baptist Church- Route 4 North, Dunkirk, Easter Sunrise at 6:30 a.m. outside the church

Charles County

LaPlata United Methodist Church- Sunrise Service at Gilbert Run Park at 6:45a.m.

St. Mary’s County

Point Lookout State Park – Lexington Park United Methodist Church will hold a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. Admission to the park is free. Bring your own chair.

Piney Point Lighthouse – First Saints Community Church is holding a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m.

Joy Chapel, Hollywood – Hollywood United Methodist Church is holding a sunrise service, rain or shine,beginning at 6 a.m. at the chapel on Joy Chapel Road.

Editor’s Note: If any other church is hold a sunrise service please e-mail to editor@thebaynet.com and we will add it to this list