FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Army Chaplains from various units hosted an Easter Sunrise Service at the Fort Eustis Regimental Memorial Chapel in the early morning, March 8.
The event celebrated the Easter holiday and the resurrection of Christ. The service was timed so attendees could see the sun rise as the service progressed.
The chaplains began their Easter morning with a welcome from Capt. Lisa Williamson, 53rd Transportation Battalion chaplain.
Staff Sgt. Guillermo Bellver, 733rd Mission Support Group religious support operations NCOIC, read a scripture from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.
Chap. (Col.) Kenneth Bush, 633rd Air Base Wing deputy chaplain, delivered a sermon about the resurrection of Christ.
Bush spoke on the subject of the preachings of Paul, a disciple of Jesus.
"The gospel without resurrection is powerless," he preached. "If Christ didn't rise, the gospel would be invalid, if he had not risen, the gospel would be meaningless."
After the Easter message, the U.S. Army Training Doctrine and Command brass quintet performed while the crowd sang hymns, and the benediction was given.
Military personnel, dependents and civilians who attended the service enjoyed not only the message, but also the atmosphere.
"I enjoyed the service immensely. It was exhilarating to hear the message that can carry you throughout the week," said Thell Jackson-Earls, a RMC chaplain. "The surprise was it was outdoors, and it was such a blessing to see the sun actually rise."
According to Chap. (Lt. Col.) Joseph Ko, 633rd Air Base Wing deputy operations chaplain, the traditional service, dating back to 1732, began when followers of Jesus witnessed the empty tomb and met the risen Lord very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise.
Today, believers continue the tradition worldwide to worship and celebrate the risen Lord Jesus at sunrise services every year on the Resurrection Sunday.