NORTH CAROLINA -- In a tradition centuries old, thousands of Christians across North Carolina woke up early Sunday to take part in a sunrise service to observe the Easter holiday.
- In Old Salem, a crowd of thousands met at the Home Moravian Church in the pre-dawn hours and were accompanied by a brass band as they walked up the hill to God's Acre, the Moravian Cemetery
- In Raleigh, six downtown churches got together for their annual "all inclusive sunrise service" on the east lawn of the state capitol
- And on the coast, many came out to Atlantic Beach for their own Easter service
In Old Salem, a crowd of thousands met at the Home Moravian Church in the pre-dawn hours and were accompanied by a brass band as they walked up the hill to God's Acre, the Moravian Cemetery.
This is the longest running Sunrise Easter Service in the U.S., beginning in 1772.
In Raleigh, six downtown churches got together for their annual "all inclusive sunrise service" on the east lawn of the state capitol.
Organizers say there is something about coming together in darkness and leaving in sunshine that creates a lasting bond.
And on the coast, many came out to Atlantic Beach for their own Easter service.
Of course, for some the sunrise service holds extra significance.
Take Gary Wilfong from Matthews, N.C. Him and his family have been coming to the sunrise Easter service at Forest Lawn East cemetery for 26 years, ever since Gary's daughter died suddenly, weeks after graduating High School.
"It's kind of a homecoming to see those other people who have experienced the same things we have in her loss and the loss of other family members," said Wilfong
But it is also the message from the service's pastor that hits close to home for the family.
"I think his message was really good," said Wilfong. "Knowing that one day we will be together with all the family members we have here and with her as well."