Celebrating Together

Our Vision

A community coming together in unity to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ surrounded by the beauty and majesty of God’s creation. 

The vision in organizing this worship service is to bring together a wide variety of local evangelical churches to experience the unity of the body of Christ as we worship, and to demonstrate that unity to the local community. What better time and place than sunrise on Easter morning to experience Christ’s life as His church, gathered in worship, and displaying our marvelous diversity.

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What is Sunrise Service?

A time of early morning (before church) worship, celebration, teaching, baptism, and fellowship with local area churches on Easter Sunday morning.

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Our History

How it all got started:

Easter morning 1978, a handful of Westside churches decided to meet at sunrise on Will Rogers State Beach to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ together in unity. In the earliest days, the churches involved were The Beach Fellowship (later known as Westside Christian Fellowship, now Risen Church Westside), Calvary Church of Pacific Palisades, Westside Vineyard, and Metro Calvary Chapel. Starting with that first gathering, we have met every Easter since, and those who attend now represent over 20 different Westside congregations.

 

Please join us and become a part of this wonderful legacy.

Fun Facts

  • Commonly known as “Sunrise Service” (Yeah, it’s early— but it’s totally worth it!) 
  • The first Westside Sunrise Service was in 1978
  • This service is not intended to replace your church’s Sunday morning Easter service— it’s meant to get you ready for it!
  • Each year, a different pastor from participating churches teaches, and a different worship team leads the musical celebration
  • Due to COVID, 2020 was the first time Sunrise Service was live-streamed from an outdoor deck of a home
  • Almost every year a pod of dolphins shows up for the celebrations
  • Rain or shine, Sunrise Service has never been canceled due to weather. So check the forecast and bundle up accordingly! (And don’t forget to bring a blanket, beach chair, or towel to sit on.)
  • After the service, there’s a time of ocean baptisms and fellowship. Over the years, dozens of people have chosen to be baptized on this sacred day and emerge from the ocean to new life, cheers, and celebration!

Statement of Faith

About the Bible
We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and that men were moved by the Spirit of God to write the very words of Scripture. Therefore, we believe the Bible to be authoritative and without error.

 

About God
We believe in one personal God who exists eternally in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in power, authority, and glory.

 

About Jesus
We believe Jesus Christ to be the virgin born Son of God who lived in flesh, died for the sins of the world, was buried, rose again bodily, and ascended to the Father.

 

About the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who regenerates and indwells every believer in Jesus, assures us of our salvation, guides us into all truth, glorifies Jesus and convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and empowers us for service. The Holy Spirit, who indwells the Christian believer, is continually in the process of transforming that person into the glorious image of Jesus Christ.

 

About Mankind
We believe that all people were created in the image of God to have fellowship with him but became alienated in that relationship through mistrust, sinful disobedience, and rebellion. As a result, people are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through their own efforts.

 

About Salvation
We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way for the forgiveness of sin. God freely offers salvation to those who place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation cannot be earned; it is a gift from God.

 

About the Church
We believe in the universal church, the body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the head. The members of the church are those who have trusted by faith in the finished work of Christ. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by loving him, obeying Him and bringing the gospel to the world.

 

About Eternity
We believe in the personal, visible return of Christ to the earth and the establishing of His Kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, and the final judgment. We believe that our eternal destination of either heaven or hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ.

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