Easter Sunrise Services Offer Renewal This Sunday

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it.

Each week, we’ll tell you about great ideas to give you a much-deserved break and make your life a little easier—maybe a whole lot easier.

Whatever you may believe about Jesus and His resurrection that is celebrated each Easter, you still may find refreshment and relaxation by attending one of the outdoor sunrise services this Easter Sunday. 

7 a.m. Sunday / Stone Mountain / 67th Annual Easter Sunrise Service 

Two simultaneous, nondenominational Easter worship services will be held on top of the mountain and at the Memorial Hall Terrace.

The services will be presented by the Stone Mountain Ministerial Association.  

Park gates and the Summit Skyride open at 4 a.m. off Stone Mountain Parkway near I-285.

Vehicle parking is $10 for a one-day permit or $35 for an annual permit. 

Round-trip Skyride fees are $9 for adults and $5.50 one-way for those who would like to walk down. 

There are no fees for the walk-up trail near the Confederate museum and train stop. 

Participants are advised to allow at least an extra hour for coming and going due to large crowds.  

7:30 a.m. Sunday / Callaway Gardens / Easter Sunrise Service 

Admission is free before 8 a.m. to the nondenominational worship service that will be held on the Gardens Restaurant Lawn. 

The service will be led by Martha Dye, senior minister of the First United Methodist Church of Pine Mountain. 

Callaway Gardens is a two-hour drive south off I-185 near Pine Mountain. 

Guests should enter through the U.S. 27 gate. 

10:30 a.m. Sunday / Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park off Georgia 400 in Alpharetta  

Passion City Church will host this free nondenominational worship service at the 12,000-seat venue. 

The church also is hosting a Good Friday service and concert ("A Contemplation and Celebration of the Cross") at the same location, but it already is sold out. 

Passion City Church is a ministry founded by Louie and Shelley Giglio, organizers of the Passion Movement and sixstepsrecords.

Over the last 13 years, this ministry has sought "to inspire university-aged people around the world to live for what matters most," said Louie Giglio on his website.  

In early January, Passion 2012 will be held at the Georgia Dome. 

In May, the Giglios and their ministry team plan to open a new church in a former retail space within walking distance of the Lindbergh MARTA station and near I-85 and Ga. 400.  

Except for Easter, the church gathers on Sunday evenings with the next "gathering" planned for 6 p.m. May 1 at the Cobb Energy Centre at I-75 and Akers Mill Road in Marietta.