Joint Protestant Easter Sunrise Service at Doughboy Field

Published April 13, 2012
By 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Service members and community members came to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to celebrate Easter Sunday April 8.

Air Force and Army chaplains worked together to create a joint Protestant Easter Sunrise Worship Service at Doughboy Field here. The event was led by Army Support Activity, Religious Support Office, Deputy Command Chaplain Lt. Col. Andrew R. Harewood.

Harewood, who hails from Springfield, Pa., gave the event's Easter message titled "Who Shall Roll the Stone Away."

"The sunrise service really signifies of the risen lord," Harewood said. "The passion weekend begins with Good Friday when the lord is crucified and ends on Sunday morning when he is resurrected. I think the significance for Christians is the poignant focus Easter puts on the idea that this is why he came and this is why he died."

Music for the event was provided by The Anointed Sons. The band, which is based out of the shore area of New Jersey, is made up of Jesse Moorer, organist, Stacy Lawrence, back-up vocals, and Antonio Lawrence, lead singer.

The music and vocals from the band were meant to put participants in a celebratory mood because the event celebrates the resurrection of Christ, said Harewood.

The event also included prayers, a scripture reading and communion, among others activities, and was followed by an Easter breakfast at Dix Chapel.