‘He is risen.’

A bird’s eye view of sunrise at the Manatee Public Beach on Easter morning. Can you find your family among the congregation of 1,500-2,000 people? This photo and others can be found online at islander.org and on The Islander Facebook page. Islander Photo: Jacob Merrifield

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island, worshippers gathered for the 60th annual Easter Sunrise Service at the start of a beautiful day on the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. The service included a welcome from Kiwanis representative Sandy Haas-Martens, a military prayer by Darrel Shinn, an invocation by Belinda Strickland of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation and Scripture reading by the Rev. Stephen King of Harvey Memorial Church. The service also included a sermon by the Rev. Phillip Schweda of St. Bernard Catholic Church, as well as a prayer and benediction by the Rev. Dr. Dirk Rodgers of Roser Memorial Church and music by Morgan Bryant. Islander Photos: Bonner Joy

The pastors and others on the Kiwanis stage at the Easter Sunrise Service rise for the closing hymn, “Jesus Christ is Risen Today.”

Holmes Beach Chief of Police Bill Tokajer estimates the congregation for the 2025 Easter Sunrise Service topped 1,500.