SERVICE

bers’ daughters joined on stage: Conifer High School freshmen Mattie Brown and Lily Harwood, and West Je erson Middle School eighthgrader Megan Swearengin. Megan explained that the three got to perform thanks to a pinky promise. Dad Lance promised the girls could sing with Blood Brothers if they played the Sunrise Service a second time.

While attending Sunrise Service is pretty special, performing at Red Rocks is even more special, according to the girls.

“You can see the sun rise every day, but performing at Red Rocks is amazing,” Lily said.

e band got its name when Harwood sent Swearengin a song called “Blood Brothers,” and Swearengin thought it would be a great name for a band. In 2022, when the Colorado Council of Churches asked for videos of bands interested in providing music for Sunrise Service, Swearengin took a chance and sent one in. e band was selected and has returned for its encore performance.

The attendees

Young and old attended Sunrise Service, all agreeing that Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a special place with beautiful views. Couple that with the picture-perfect sunrise and the 40-degree weather, and the service was a superb event.

Kevin and Rebecca Moots traveled from Parker to Morrison to attend the service with their children for the rst time.

“We are very blessed to be here,” Rebecca said. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Kristen and Matt Maloney of Idaho Springs brought their sons Luke, 7, and Gram, 3, who were wide awake as they waited for the service to begin. is was also their rst time attending the service.

Don and Sarah, who live in Morrison, attend Sunrise Service occasionally, and this year the early service close to home was helping since they were hosting Easter dinner for family.

“ is is unique,” Don said. “ is is a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Sarah added: “We are celebrating

Meet Mona!

Mona (275431) is a 7-year-old female cat. She is shy, but given a chance to warm up, she requests pets with adorable head-butts. Mona can also be lured with treats! Mona and her sister Biscuit (275430) may be adopted together for a

FoothillsAnimalShelter.org info@fas4pets.org the resurrection of Jesus and the joy of the day.”

Hugh Morgan of Windsor and Stacey Banks of Golden also attended for the rst time.

“ is is a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather and celebrate Christ’s resurrection,” Banks said.

Morgan added that the turnout was impressive.

Regis Jesuit High School students Rosary Tambunan and Katie Nelson brought exchange student Ruby Hascka of Switzerland to see the sun rise at Red Rocks, not realizing that thousands would be joining them to witness the sight at the service.

“ is is a gift from God,” Tambunan said. “It’s a blessing in disguise.” e Colorado Council of Churches, which sponsors the service, is comprised of 13 Christian denominations representing 800 churches. e Rev. Tamara Boynton said she had a beautiful view from the stage as she looked at all the faces in the crowd.

Jessica Gray of Littleton stopped on a stairway to admire the view, noting that the last time she went to Sunrise Service was about 25 years ago.

“It’s great to be here with the community and take in the beauty of God’s creation,” Gray said.

Easter is one of Gray’s favorite holidays because it’s about love and forgiveness, noting that the high attendance at the service showed people’s belief in God and the meaning of Easter.

The service Adrian Miller, who welcomed attendees to the service, told the crowd that it was easy to see that they loved the Lord because they came out even with a chill in the air. He was impressed that by applause, many said this was their rst time at Sunrise Service.

“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here,” she told them, calling Red Rocks Amphitheatre an apt location for the service. She told them to breathe in the area’s beauty and breathe out the distractions in their hearts; to breathe in unconditional love and breathe out others who sway them from that love; to breathe in the wonders of the risen Christ and breathe out the darkness of the tomb.

Blood Brothers sang an original song, which Swearengin told the crowd talked about the tension between the trouble in people’s lives and the celebration of Easter.

“We need to embrace (both) the hurt and the hope from our faith in Christ’s resurrection,” he said.