The Rotary Club of Marietta joined with the Marietta Kiwanis Club again this year to host the Community Sunrise Service at Kennesaw Mountain at 6:45 o’clock on April 1. Dr. Jeffrey Meeks from First Presbyterian Church of Marietta played prelude music as some 750 people with flashlights beaming found places for their lawn chairs and blankets on the grassy esplanade in front of the headquarters building of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.

Rev. Dr. Mark Barbour and Kiwanis President Gail Downing extended warm welcomes and greetings to everyone. Dr. Joe Evans, the lead pastor of First Presbyterian, gave the Invocation followed later by scripture readings from Isaiah, Chapter 25, and John, Chapter 20. Andy Tatnall, a former Rotarian and this day’s song leader, encouraged all to join in singing Easter hymns. Andy did a solo before Dr. Evans’ joyful message of affirmation and hope. Along with Past President Mark, other Marietta Rotarians were present including Past President Jim Kellogg, Dr. John Knox, Don Barbour, Past President Doug Haynie, Walt Walker, Police Chief Dan Flynn and Dale Covington. These individuals provided parking and traffic control assistance before the service and spotless clean-up of the grounds following the service’s conclusion when everyone stood to sing “Because He Lives.”