Arlington’s 65th Annual EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE – Recap
When: March 31, 2024 from 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Location: Funeral Home Parking Lawn
On Sunday morning, March 31st, the community gathered at the front lawn of the Arlington Funeral Home to celebrate our 65th Annual Easter Sunrise Service, marking the occasion of Easter with a spirit of renewal and hope. The serene morning began pre-dawn as headlights marked a string of traffic pouring into the funeral home’s parking lot, the passengers hoping to witness a beautiful sunrise during the service. Those hopes, however, were decisively tempered by predictions for cloudy skies and rain.
Despite a light mist, the service began promptly at 7:00 a.m., with Reverend Kristen Ellis from the Calvary Church, Springdale Campus, officiating. The service included the beautiful musical selections “Above All” and “I Surrender All” by the talented Avery Bargasse and Victoria Okafor. Reverend Ellis focused her Easter message on “The Lord is My Shepherd,” encouraging the embracement of the hope that Easter symbolizes.
Unfortunately, some weather forecasts are accurate. Before Reverend Ellis could conclude the service, heavy rain and threatening lightning forced the decision to prematurely halt the service in the interest of everyone’s safety. Even so, the 65th Annual Easter Sunrise Service provided a moment of spiritual enrichment and strengthened the bonds of those who belong to the Arlington community.
We thank everyone for attending the service, especially Reverend Ellis, for taking the time on a very busy day to guide us through another Easter Sunday. Plans for next year’s service are already underway, and we hope to continue building on this cherished tradition. While we’re at it, we’re also going to hope for better weather!
We are delighted to extend an invitation to our 65th Easter Sunrise Service, a deeply significant and cherished tradition in our community. This service, held at the tranquil Arlington Funeral Home’s Front Lawn, is a contemplative way to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the holiest day in Christianity. We are honored to have Pastor Kristin Ellis of The Calvary Church presiding over this momentous occasion.
Please feel free to bring lawn chairs and immerse yourself in the tranquil outdoor ambiance. Alternatively, you can remain in your vehicle and tune in to the service with close-circuit broadcasting over your radio. Considering the possibility of chilly weather, don’t forget to bring a blanket along with your chair for added warmth and comfort.
A Brief History:
Our Sunrise Service has moved from various locations throughout our 165 acres. Initially, the service was held at the Garden of the Old Rugged Cross. As attendance grew, the service was moved to the South Lawn of Arlington Lake in the 1980s to provide additional seating space. In 2020, we moved the service to the Arlington Funeral Home to utilize the parking lot and promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Surprisingly, we found that it was a perfect setting, particularly with the beautiful sunrise over the knoll to the east of the funeral home.
