April 5 – “Easter on the Beach”

Once again, this time with bated breath and great excitement, we ventured into the world of Easter Sunrise Service on the Beach.  It is actually a 25-plus year tradition for Seaside, but we were disrupted last Easter when the local authorities closed all the beaches because of the Covid Crisis.  We had no idea how many to expect because of the year off, and because many folks are still a little skittish about the virus and large crowds.  Two years ago we had around a thousand in attendance, so we had no idea how many to prepare for.  We randomly chose the number 500 for printing song booklets and ordering our yearly gifts.  This time we found a really appropriate one, by the way.  We gave everyone a mask imprinted with the words. “Faith over Fear.”  That was our theme for the day.  As it turned out, attendance was down some.  The estimate was closer to 600 this year.  Wow.  Listen to me.  An attendance of 600 is a down year?  Nope.  That was an amazing turnout.  The community responded in force and many of our Houston area regulars made their way down as well. 

 

The setting was beautiful.  The moon was still high in the sky and visible as early risers began to appear.  The praise team and Jim’s crew of set-up workers scurried about like a family of sand crabs.  Amps went up in several key places to extend the reach of the sound.  Plenty of microphones rose on stage to accommodate the full praise team voices.  All seven members were present and accounted for.  Bobby was in from Tennessee.  Dale came back from Houston.  Cory anchored the other end.  In between were the lovely ladies Sonya and Dianne, and Doug was drumming just behind.  Jim of course led the team from front and center.  And the sound was powerful.  We could hear them from the church, a good two blocks away.  I had countless compliments about the music.  It was great, as usual. 

 

Cory and Sara once again provided a police/traffic control presence, and parking, which had been such a nightmare in years past, once again went smoothly.  600 people generate a lot of traffic.  Their newborn baby, Roman, hung out with his Aunt Megan so Mom and Dad could do their police thing. 

 

God sent many of his creatures to add to the ambiance of the moment.  The pelican fly-overs began about the time we started singing Amazing Grace, and they continued through the rest of the service.  Sometimes there were three.  Other times there were seven or eight or ten.  My favorite was the time four or five pelicans soared above, followed by a lone seagull, who appeared to be trying desperately to keep up with the big boys. 

 

It was kind of fun when the sun actually began making its appearance, peeking over the water through the few clouds.  It made for some stunning views.  And not a few attenders wanted to take advantage of the photo-op.  I encouraged then to go ahead and enjoy the moment, and numerous folks joined the ones already capturing Easter memories. 

 

At the end of the service, we did six baptisms of folks ranging in age from around 11 to 60-plus.  I knew about three of them before the service.  The others stopped me before the service as I was walking around through the crowd.  Each asked if they could be baptized as well.  I talked to them a bit about their relationship with Jesus, and they were good to go.  It was a special time for all involved.  Very cold water, but very special moment.  And most exciting for us … Cailyn was among them.  Her Daddy was there beside her all the way, and Mommy was taking pictures from the shore. 

 

As we entered the water, a big, strapping young man approached me.  I had baptized him two years ago at the last sunrise service.  I remembered him well.  He simply asked if he could come out into the water and be there to assist.  He showed me his t-shirt that identified him as a lifeguard, so I said, “Come on in!”  Later, at the church building, he gave me a very nice Easter card that thanked me for being a good role model to him.  Apparently his whole life turned around after his baptism.  He now works with youth in his church in Friendswood.  I’m really proud of you, Sam. 

 

Probably the biggest surprise of the day for everyone (except I guess me) came at the very end.  A little background first … I received a phone call a few days before the service from a guy who lives in Pasadena (I think), and had been to the sunrise service before.  He wanted to invite his neighbors to join him this year, but before he approached them, he had a question.  Seems the neighbor’s high school son was a concert-quality bagpiper.  How did he know?  Because the young man practices outside, and the whole neighborhood gathers outside to listen to him.  I assured him it would be great to have the lad.  The next day the boy’s dad called to make sure it was OK, and to ask if the dress code was casual or if he should “kilt up.”  I assured him casual was fine.  I met the 14-year-old named Canaan just before the service began.  And he had decided to kilt up anyway.  He was dressed in all his regalia, ready to go.  So, as we entered the water for the baptisms, the sound of the bagpipes playing Amazing Grace filled the air.  It was a real surprise for the attenders.  Nice job, Canaan.  You are welcome to play any time.

 

We decided to continue our tradition of inviting everyone who attended the service to join us at the church for breakfast.  Since we were so unsure about numbers, we still had enough food to cover a few hundred people.  Not as many decided to join us as in years past, however.  Maybe a hundred or so.  Still a little Covid-shy, I guess.  The excess food didn’t go to waste, though.  Some went home with Seasiders.  Some went to the Salvation Army with a lady who has been staying there.  A bag full of breakfast burritos went with one guy who planned to take a walk on the seawall and give them away. 

 

Chris once again organized a great Easter egg hunt.  Hundreds of eggs covered the lawn in front of the church, and the ten or so kiddos had a field day with them all.  They were able to make two or three swipes to get them all picked up.  One preschooler and two children won the golden egg gifts this year.  Two received age-appropriate devotional guide books, and one received a copy of the Action Bible.  Not to mention, of course, a big bag full of sweet stuff.

 

The ten o’clock communion service went off without a hitch as well.  Forty-four people joined us in the worship center this time.  Some were carry-overs from sunrise, and I was really proud of them.  Most of them managed to stay awake.  We did have some visitors who had missed the early morning festivities.  Michigan natives, as I recall.  The music was once again powerful - even the warm-up before the service began had people applauding. 

 

After both services everyone pitched in to help clean up and tear down and get somewhat ready for next week.  Of course, we’ll be sweeping sand for weeks, but it will be well worth it …

 

Romans 8:10 says, “But if Crist is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.”

 

Father, you are certainly to be praised for an incredible day yesterday.  After all, it was your resurrection that started this whole Easter thing.  Amen.