STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — Sunrise services resumed this morning at Stone Mountain after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Services began in 1944 and became an annual tradition spanning 78 years.
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The inspiration?
Lucille A. Lanford was a faithful member of the Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church and thought it would be a good idea for the church’s youth group to climb atop the mountain on Easter morning to watch the sunrise.
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This year, Pastors Bryant Wright and Crawford Loritts delivered the Easter messages to those in attendance.
“I am just filled with joy in getting to share the sunrise service with so many,” said Wright, “and, as I shared in the service, to be able to preach on Easter Sunday as a retired pastor, that’s a wonderful joy to share the good news of Jesus.”
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An estimated 1,000 people were in attendance for the service.
“It was just an extraordinary experience, especially coming after the pandemic to see so many people who have shown up,” Loritts said. “The enthusiasm here and the beautiful weather that God gave us, and just the response of the people that they were riveted and engaged. It was just a wonderful, wonderful time.”
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