Sunday, March 31, 2013
I woke up super early to photograph the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain on Sunday. As I packed up the car with my gear at a little before 5 a.m. it was still drizzling outside. Thankfully as I neared Stone Mountain Park it subsided. Riding the skylift to the top of the mountain, the car was packed with early morning worshipers not yet fully awake. We poured out of the car and onto the mountain to be met with clouds, fog and wind. As the program started and a few thousand people found their seats, the sky slowly started to change colors. Pastors and reverends from different churches spoke and sang during the service but the clouds unfortunately never quite made room for the sun.
Akilah Callahan (center) rides the skylift to the top of Stone Mountain for the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Justin Lockaby (left), his brother Jamie and Cathy Malone reach the top of Stone Mountain as they ride the skylift before the start of the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Worshipers exit the skylift before the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Nancy Botts (left) and Shirley and John McGraw sit on top of Stone Mountain before the start of the69th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
A spotlight illuminates a wooden cross as it stands shrouded in clouds on top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Vick Leonard (bottom left) and his wife Dawn use a flashlight to look at the program for the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Alan McKinney (left) finds an open spot to sit with his family before the start of the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Anna Wing (right) waits for the start of the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Shelby Miles (left), Danny Williford and Kristie Miles walk towards the wooden cross on top of Stone Mountain before dawn breaks for the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Reflected in a pool of rain water, Madeline Rosa poses for a photo next to the wooden cross on top of Stone Mountain before the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Thousands of worshipers gather on top of Stone Mountain for the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Bill Green (right) of New Covenant Christian Ministries reads the call to worship and prayer as an interpreter signs during the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Thomas Barber (right) stands next to Allison Morgan during the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Deb Cole (left) and her husband Ron sing a hymn during the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Lisa D. Lewis (left) holds her bible as she sits next to Beverly Jackson during the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Thousands of worshipers gather on top of Stone Mountain for the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Mel Buck of Annistown Road Baptist Church reads a passage of scripture during the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Andrea Pullen (left) reads the program for the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service on top of Stone Mountain as she sits with her mother Elise at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Dr. Paul Ballard (center) speaks to worshipers on top of Stone Mountain during the 69th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday, March 31, 2013.
These all turned out great! Loved the ones they chose for the Metro section Monday! Thanks for getting up early!