Sunday, April 20, 2014
I was up before the sun on Easter Sunday as I headed to Stone Mountain Park for the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service.I thought I might have beaten the crowds by being early but it seemed as if everyone had the same idea that I did. Thousands of people headed to the top of the mountain as the wind blew and the temperatures stayed low. As the sun rose, the service started as pastors, reverends and preachers from local churches led worshipers through the program that lasted a little less than an hour. It turned out to be a beautiful morning to celebrate Easter!
A line of people wait for the skylift to take them to the top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Destyni Anderson (right) and her brother Tyler board the skylift to the top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Jacqueline White looks out at Stone Mountain as she and her father ride Nicholas ride the skylift to the top before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
The sun rises as people gather on top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
The sun rises as the skylift brings people to the top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Brian Roos sings into the microphone on top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Marlene Martin (right) sits next to David Stewart and her sister Hope Blankenship on top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Karen Nolan (left) sits next to her twin sister Kathy Whitaker on top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Tanisha Turner (right) waits for her turn to take a photo in front of the cross on top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Dave Fernandez has his photo taken by the cross on top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Carrie Bauml (left) snuggles with her husband Mike on top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Florence Welch watches the sun rise from the top of Stone Mountain before the start of the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Juli Clay (left) holds her daughter Weatherly as she sits next to her friend Chevi Ferguson on top of Stone Mountain during the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Maddie Venator (center) lays against her mother Kimmy on top of Stone Mountain during the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
The sun rises on top of Stone Mountain as pastor Lamar Williams from the For Eternity Christian Church gives the call to worship and prayer during the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Trinity Cantrell (center) reaches over to cover her grandmother Patsy Jones with a blanket at the top of Stone Mountain during the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Dr. Larry Burgess (left) reads the gospel at the top of Stone Mountain during the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Rev. M. Deanne Lynch (right) from Mountain Park United Methodist Church delivers the message at the top of Stone Mountain during the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Ronnie Tedford (left) sits on top of Stone Mountain with his mother Ernestine and sister Taylor during the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Rev. M. Deanne Lynch (right) from Mountain Park United Methodist Church delivers the message at the top of Stone Mountain during the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
People crowd around the cross at top of Stone Mountain after the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
Nancy Botts looks out of the window of the skylift as she rides down from the top of Stone Mountain after the 70th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 20, 2014.