The sun was rising and the sound of glorious singing filled the air. The Italy Ministerial Alliance hosted the Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday at Dripping Springs, a local ranch. Many of the churches in town came together as one heart, one voice to celebrate the holy day.

Pastor Todd Gray of Central Baptist Church welcomed the diverse group to worship on Easter. “We are represented by many churches and is an honor and a privilege to gather together.”

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:1-6

Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist choir blessed the crowd with song, Like the Dew in the Morning, I Give Myself Away and Here I Am to Worship.

Pastor Krista Ingram from First United Methodist Church, Pastor Preston Dixon from Mt. Gilead, Pastor Rodney Dabney from First Baptist Church, Pastor Algua Isaac from Union Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Bill Morgan from Family Fellowship Church formed a united front with the peoples of each congregation and worshipped together.

Pastor Morgan gave the sermon at the service. He spoke of the “Evidence of the Resurrection”, quoting 2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.

“We walk in the newness of life,” Morgan said. From Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

“We walk straight and by faith, not by sight. We walk in the newness of life and we are to give grace-not disgrace. We are to know Him through the power of His Resurrection and we do not preach ourselves for God shines light in our hearts.” Acts 1:8 is the power to speak and understand the Word of God.

Pastor Isaac led the closing prayer. The service was dismissed for each to go to his own church and worship with their own congregation.