AHOSKIE – The sun begin to rise over hole number eleven as the clock slowly ticked toward seven a.m. Easter Sunday morning at Beechwood Country Club. Believers had gathered for early morning coffee at the facility’s banquet room and traveled together in Club Cars to the back nine hole that organizer, Nancy Chamblee, had selected after watching the sunrise for days ahead of the event.

A cross was prepared and draped with the traditional royal purple sash. It stood tall on number ten serving as a reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus life on the Cross of Calvary. Just yards away overlooking the waters of number eleven, worshipers gathered and listened as local pastor, Wallace Phillips begin with words of welcome and gratitude to Beechwood for the sponsoring of what has become a popular site for Resurrection Day worship.

“Words could never convey the beauty and authenticity of that morning,” said Phillips. “One would have to had been to experience the converging of sun, Scripture, song, and Spirit that all came together to make one of the most meaningful services I’ve had the joy of being a part of.”

Scripture was taken from the Gospels of Luke and John on the traditional Easter morning narrative of the discovery of the risen Savior. Pastor Phillips called the crowd to the importance of allowing the Savior’s love to be not only experienced, but shared by believers in a society that is in desperate need of the message of Easter today.

Soloist, Brittany Evans shared the popular song Blessed Redeemer by Casting Crowns as believers prepared their hearts for Holy Communion.  Pastor Phillips invited the worshipers to turn toward the left and embrace the view of the cross as they prepared the elements of communion to “show forth the Lord’s death” as recorded in 1 Corinthians 11.

As they partook, the Savior emerged from behind the cross in the person of Scott Lowe, clad with white robe, as he extended his hands toward the crowd. Standing on the hill for a brief moment, he gave the look of compassion as believers were moved to see the Savior depicted, adding a unique touch to the Sunrise event.

Phillips stated, “Organizer Nancy Chamblee did an incredible job in the plans and preparation for this special service. It was well-attended and well-executed and the crowd enjoyed it immensely.”

Beechwood Country Club offers a weekly Bible Study each Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the club’s banquet facility. For information, visit the club’s website at www.beechwoodcc.com.