Thousands of Presbyterians all around Ireland will be up early this coming Sunday, 11 April, Easter Sunday, to celebrate Christ's Resurrection at a series of dawn (or close!) services being held at a variety of outdoor venues including seaside and hill top locations.
Originally these services began as an initiative of the Presbyterian Church's Youth Board but are now attended by people of all ages and denominations as an act of public witness to the Risen Lord.
The short acts of worship usually consist of appropriate Bible readings, praise and prayer led by local ministers and musicians. Some are followed by breakfast in nearby church halls.
'An early start to Easter follows the biblical example of the disciples who, we read, went early to the tomb and learnt of Christ's resurrection," says Rev John Peacock, associate minister in Newtownbreda and one of the organisers of the Belfast service. "Being involved in worship as the sun dawns adds to the excitement and anticipation on such a significant day in the Christian year."
Some of the services taking places are listed below in their Presbytery areas:
| East Belfast | 6.00am | Henry Jones Playing Fields off Church Road, Castlereagh |
| Down | 6.30am | Rowallen Gardens, Saintfield |
| Newry | 6.00am | Cloughmore Stone, Rostrevor |
| Omagh | 6.00am | Knockmany, nr Augher |
| Dromore | 7.00am | The Large Park, Hillsborough |
| Dromore | 7.00am | The Mound, Dromore |
| Route | 7.00am | Giants Causeway. |
| Route | 6.00am | Ballintoy |
| Carrickfergus | 7.00am | Ballygally Slipway |
| Carrickfergus | 7.00am | Carrickfergus Harbour Carpark |
| Tyrone | 6.30am | Slieve Gallion |
| Templepatrick | 6.30am | Dunamuggy - 2nd Donegore Presbyterian Church, Connor Road, Parkgate |
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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