MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- More than 90 service members, their families and base personnel showed up for Camp Lejeune’s Easter Resurrection Sunrise Service behind the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Headquarters building aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Sunday.
The service, which started at 6:30 a.m., celebrated Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead and was set up so that when the sun came up over the horizon it would illuminate the area and bathe it in its warm embrace.
The church service started off with a song followed by a prayer from Navy Lt. Scott Cauble, chaplain with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
It was followed by the song, "He Arose."
Throughout the service, the songs focused on the resurrection of Jesus.
After a few songs, Navy Lt. Ray Rivers, chaplain at the Marine Corps Engineer Center and Courthouse Bay Chapel took the pulpit.
He spoke to the crowd that had gathered about the price that was paid when Jesus was crucified on the cross and how he died for everyone’s sins.
"All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," said Rivers. "But he took in all that sin and paid the ultimate price, and on the third day even hell couldn’t hold him back."
As the church service drew to an end, the sun gently came up over the horizon and lit up the river, the pulpit and finally the area where everybody had gathered to participate in this year’s Resurrection Sunrise Service.
After the pastor said the final prayer, people gathered around, some mingling, others walking up to the minister and congratulating him on a good sermon.
"The service went well, the weather we had was truly a blessing," said Rivers. "It was a great day to preach his message and to reach another person’s life."