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The faithful gather at Riverfront Park in Palatka to celebrate Easter Sunday. The event was well-attended, despite a chill in the air and clouds in the sky. (Shalisha Bynoe/Special to the Daily News)
By Shalisha Bynoe
Special to the Daily News
Heartfelt hymns filled the Palatka Amphitheater stage as worshipers gathered at a community Easter sunrise service. The sky was slightly overcast, and a sizable crowd of believers huddled together across Riverfront Park to celebrate the Easter story of Christ’s journey to the cross and his ascension to heaven.
The annual non-denominational event was organized by the Heart of Putnam Christian Service Center and the Central Putnam Ministerial Association. Congregants and leaders of several area churches were urged to remember Jesus' sacrifice for humanity.
"It is an opportunity for believers in Jesus to come together and worship no matter where their home church is," said Bishop Steven C. Burkowske, the lead pastor at Open Door Church of God.
For many Christians in Putnam County and across the world, Holy Week is the most sacred time of year. The week, which began April 2 with Palm Sunday and continued with Holy Thursday and Good Friday, culminates with the Easter Sunday celebration.
Here in Putnam, Sunday was a day to come together in prayer. Senior Pastor Ron Smith, of First Baptist Church of Palatka, reminded the crowd that Jesus' death was a part of his plan.
"It was the third hour when they crucified him,” Smith said. "The first part of the resurrection should bring us humility to what our savior submitted himself to. His life was not taken from him. Jesus’ zealous love for us made him willingly submit himself to what you and I deserve so that we might be saved and reconciled with the Father."
Smith quoted a famous Bible verse that encapsulates the Easter story.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," Smith said of the New Testament’s John 3:16.
Smith told the crowd that the resurrection changed the scope of faith and helped to shape the world.
"Since the resurrection, the educational system, healthcare, and many other systems have changed so that we can enjoy it," Smith states. "Jesus provided a new hope and a new future.”
The service closed with a prayer for peace, forgiveness, and unconditional love.
St. Augustine local Brian Reeves said despite the overcast day, the event was beautiful.
"I thought it was nice for the pastors to come out in the inclement weather and for everyone to gather and celebrate Easter," Reeves said. "I would encourage others to attend this event because watching the sunrise is beautiful. It was a beautiful morning."
Smith said the area benefits when it comes together.
"It is a great opportunity for the community to come together," Smith states. "When we go to the addresses where our churches are, we segregate ourselves to some degree. Here, there are no walls. It is a church without walls."