Easter service dawns on Mall

Christians gathered at the Lincoln Memorial before dawn yesterday to celebrate Easter with prayers of thanksgiving and hymns of praise, despite the clouds and rain.

The 26th annual “Sunrise Celebration,” one of the Washington area’s largest Easter sunrise services, attracted people from Maryland, Virginia and the District, who witnessed an obscured sunrise at 6:37 a.m.

“What’s the percentage [chance] of rain this morning?” asked the Rev. Amos Dodge, pastor of Capital Church, when the service began at 6:30. “Let God reign.”

The 150 members of Mr. Dodge’s church in McLean have hosted the interdenominational service since its inception nearly three decades ago.

“About 120 people gathered by the Reflecting Pool for that first service,” Mr. Dodge said.

This year, hundreds of worshippers, including a busload of parishioners from Sudley Springs Worship Center in Gainesville, Va., attended the hourlong service.

James E. Blair, 25, of Springfield, said he has been coming to the sunrise service since he was a youngster.

“My father came here every year, and it became a family tradition,” Mr. Blair said.

He said the 51-degree weather was not as bad as in some years.

“It’s a little cooler this year and less sunny,” Mr. Blair said. “But they’re out here every year, even when it rains. … I think it’s good for a church to get out in the open air like this, rather than stay behind closed doors. Easter is a big time of year on the Christian calendar.”

Sunrise services also were held at Arlington National Cemetery and the Washington National Cathedral.

Anthony A. Jones, 53, a parishioner at Capital Church, said he had been introduced to the Christian church at the sunrise service four years ago. He said he has not missed it since.

“Mother Nature and the Lord above have held off the rain so far, which is a blessing,” said Mr. Jones of Southeast, as he sat on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before the service began. “Given the turmoil we have in the world today, I think this is a good place to start the week.”

After an opening hymn, Mr. Dodge began the service with a petition to God on behalf of President Bush, the American troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the political leadership on Capitol Hill.

“Lord, we’re here on the other side of the cross today, to celebrate the resurrection of the dead,” Mr. Dodge said.

During the service, counselors accepted prayer requests from those who attended.

Music for the service was provided by 35 members of the Capital Church choir, which was accompanied by a small orchestra.

Members of the congregation, clapping along or holding their hands in the air, joined the choir in several hymns, including a fast-paced rendition of “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.”

At about 7:15, a few raindrops began falling, and by 7:30, many worshippers opened up their umbrellas and buttoned their raincoats to keep themselves dry and warm.

Clad in a hooded yellow raincoat, Timothy M. Brown, 28, said the sunrise service is unique because of its size and the prominence of its location.

“I thought the sermon was great,” said Mr. Brown of Reston, who attended the service for the third time. “I think the best part is just being able to get together with so many people to worship on Easter morning.”

Later in the day, Capital Church and hundreds of other area churches held traditional indoor services.

The National Cathedral also held two morning services, and Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Catholic archbishop of Washington, celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle in Northwest and at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast.

Eastern Orthodox Christians, who follow a different church calendar than Western Christians, also celebrated Easter yesterday.

Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians began their Easter celebration with candlelight vigils on Saturday night.