The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island will sponsor the 54th annual Easter sunrise service at Manatee County Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, starting at 6:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 1. The six churches on the Island provide the service as the sun rises to the east.
The Kiwanis Club provides the bleachers for those presenting the service and also provides Easter lilies, a sound system and a large lighted cross.
There is ample parking at the beach and the Island trolley starts running at 6 a.m. for those who don’t want to hassle with parking. The Anna Maria Beach Café will also be open at 6 a.m. for those wanting coffee.
Worshippers will need to bring their own chair or a blanket to sit on the beach. They also should be aware of the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Father Matthew Grunfeld, of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, will offer the opening prayer. Rev. Dr. Bob O’Keef, of Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, and Matthew Nowicki, of St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 South Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, will read scriptures. Rev. Stephen King, of Harvey Memorial Church, 300 Church St. N., Bradenton Beach, will deliver the sermon. Rev. Edward Moss, of CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, will deliver the offertory. Rev. Rosemary Backer, of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will give the benediction.
In the past, nearly 2,000 people have attended. The offertory will be split among the churches.
