Bringing down the walls

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Hundreds of residents are expected to flock to the

ocean this weekend for the second annual joint church service at Pier

Plaza.

As the Jewish faithful observe the eight days of Passover, about 15

Christian congregations throughout the area are preparing for the Sonrise

Service, an early morning Easter service to celebrate the resurrection of

Jesus Christ.

“It’s going to be a beautiful day, a beautiful service, and at the

beach, what more can you ask for,” said event coordinator, the Rev. Steve

Purdue of the Coastland Foursquare Church in Huntington Beach. “It’s also

really exciting once we, like the pastors, develop a relationship with

each other that is more important than any differences we might have.”

The Easter event, which brings together congregations from the city’s

Baptist, Presbyterian and other Christian denominations, stemmed from

weekly prayer meetings held by church leaders and drew about 1,000 people

to the pier last year.

“The Bible talks about all the different churches and ministries as

though they were parts of the body,” said the Rev. Derek Anunciation of

the Praise Christian Center. “The hand can’t say it doesn’t need the arm,

for example.” Anunciation will deliver the welcome and invocation at

Sunday’s service.

Last year about nine churches participated in the event. This year

about 15 churches will be represented during the celebration, which also

will feature music sung by those in attendance, and nine pastors of

different denominations will conduct the ceremony.

“As Christians, this event goes beyond doctrine,” Purdue said. “When

the people go to a joint service, their denominational walls begin to

fall down and the overall church is strengthened.”

FYI: The Sonrise Service will start at 6 a.m. at Pier Plaza near

the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, and run about

one hour. Doughnuts and refreshments will be available while supplies

last prior to the ceremony.