PROSPERITY — The annual Easter morning sunrise service of the Macedonia Evangelical Lutheran Church at Lake Murray is set for 7 a.m. March 31.

The service will be held on the lakeshore of Macedonia Lutheran Church located immediately across the bay from Billy Dreher Island State Park of Prosperity. Directions to the church are posted along the route to Billy Dreher Island State Park.

The first such Easter sunrise worship service was held Easter Sunday morning March 29, 1959, and conducted by the Rev. John D. Zeigler, pastor of the neighboring St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Chapin and the Rev. John H. Koch Jr., pastor of Macedonia Lutheran Church of Prosperity.

The site for the service is a point on the shore of Lake Murray and identified by a large wooden cross which looks eastward across the lake toward the rising sun. For many years worshippers from near and far have come to experience the early morning beauty of the sunrise and to worship.

Many of those who attend come by way of water and remain in their boats during the service while others remain in their cars or bring their own lawn chairs. Warm clothing is strongly suggested. Easter lilies adorn the cross and the Macedonia senior choir presents Easter anthems and hymns.

Following the service, breakfast will be served in the fellowship hall. The Rev. Randall S. Derrick is the current pastor of Macedonia and has served since 1978.

For more information, call the church at 364-3786 or visit the website at www.macedonialutheran.net.