Large crowd 'bridges the community' with 20th annual Easter Sunrise Service

Lathrop High School’s Junior ROTC Malemute Battalion began the process with the parading the colors. Within minutes, a pastoral procession led in single file by Pastor Eric Jones sang “See What the Lord Has Done.”

Anthony A.W. Buie and Jeff Howe sounded the Shofar, or ram’s horn trumpet, commencing the opening invocation by Fairbanks Lutheran Church’s Al Holmberg and singing of “Panis Angelicus” by Tom Gross.

Willa Watts with St. John Baptist Church led the gathering song with “Because He Lives.”

The Great Land Sounds barbershop quartet performed “How Can I Keep From Singing” and “Alleluia.”

Howe and Buie, the lead organizers, said the program continues the goal that Chena Pump House owner Helmut “Bill” Bubbel envisioned: “to bridge the community and local churches alike.”

“Bill started it in the parking lot with 20 people,” Buie said. “He looked to the bridge and said, ‘We’ve got to bridge together over troubled waters.’”

Together We Stand Ministries holds the Easter Sunday service. Buie said everyone is invited to the nondenominational service.

“It’s raising up the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Buie said. “At times, it has built up to a thousand people and it’s a blessing to have the community come together.”

Howe said people and pastors from all denominations and backgrounds take part.

He noted the service involves “all churches.”

“To be able to bring the community together has been an exceptional opportunity for volunteers that is bigger than them,” Howe said. “We are here for one reason only, to celebrate the Risen Savior.”

Hope Church Pastor Mahagony Mitchell recited passages from Isaiah 53:41-12, Valley of Blessing Church Pastor Joe Perez reviewed lessons from New Testament passages, Corinthians 15:1-7.

New Birth Christian Church Pastor Eric Jones delivered a special sermon on how a rich man willed everything to his son, and upon his death, an auction was held to sell off all the trinkets and cars. The first item the auctioneer placed on the block was the son’s image, to which a long silence lulled before a man offered a dollar and it was sold. “Auction closed.” A family lawyer got up, read the will, and noted that all of the father’s possessions went to the son or the one who valued the son.

Lighthouse Church Pastor Shane Hopkins recited the Gospel value of Mark 16:1-8. Fairbanks Lutheran Church Pastor Ollie Bergh recited The Lord’s Prayer.