EASTER 1998; AREA CHRISTIANS RISE BEFORE DAWN TO CELEBRATE DAY.

Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer

Under a full moon that gave way to a glowing sunrise, thousands of Christians rose early Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Christ with prayers and hymns at Easter services throughout the region.

From the release of white doves at a 6 a.m. sunrise service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills to biblical re-enactments in Agua Dulce, it was a time for many to reaffirm their belief in the resurrection of Jesus.

Saturday's showers gave way to a crisp, clear Easter Sunday, but some sunrise services reported a lower than usual turnout due to the earlier rains.

The Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service reported 167 attendees at the Women's Club of Hollywood, where the services were held while construction is under way at the bowl.

``I think the weather certainly affected attendance,'' said organizer Norma Foster, who was expecting about 200 people. ``It seems like this cold weather and last night's rain put a damper on it.''

Likewise at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, where attendance fell below the projected 2,200, with about 1,500 attendees, while Forest Lawn-Glendale had 1,000 attendees for the sunrise services, said spokesman Dick Fisher.

``Attendance was a little down I think because of the rain yesterday,'' Fisher said.

Sunday's services are the culmination of Holy Week, which recalls the events leading to Jesus' death and resurrection. They include Palm Sunday, when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem; Maundy Thursday, which recalls Jesus' last meal; and Good Friday, which observes the death of Jesus on the cross.

Light or rising sun

Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is observed by many churches and communities with outdoor services at sunrise. The light of the rising sun symbolizes the light that came back to the world with the resurrection of Jesus.

Before sunrise at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village, small candles in paper bags lined the drive into the park, while hundreds of other candles formed a giant, glowing cross on the hillside.

The bright full moon illuminated the path for hundreds of Christians from a variety of denominations who gathered at the park, where a small flock of sheep grazed around the cross under the watchful eyes of their canine guard.

``It's so pretty when you come at 6 o'clock and it's still dark,'' said Bleahu, who admitted that the sunrise service is not the easiest tradition to keep.

``It's a challenge, I've got to say,'' said Bleahu, who managed to rouse six of her nine grandchildren to join her at the service.

In Agua Dulce, Larry and Peggy Meyer huddled together in blankets and sleeping bags for the Easter sunrise service at Vasquez Rocks, in what has become a tradition for them.

Braving the chill

Braving the early-morning chill and pre-dawn darkness, the Lancaster residents said they find their Easter morning camp-out symbolic and spiritual.

``We've been coming here for 18 years,'' said Larry Meyer, who attended the event with his wife, two daughters and a daughter's friend. ``It gets better every year.''

Sunday's program, organized by the Agua Dulce Christian Church, Agua Dulce Foursquare Church and the Family Community Church of Agua Dulce, re-enacted the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ through musical presentation and pageantry.

The production is timed so that Jesus arises from his tomb as the sun peaks over the horizon, lighting up his face. Doves are then released and Jesus again appears on top of the rocks with angels beside him.

This year's service was the first for Agua Dulce resident Kathy Law, who enjoyed watching the doves. ``It's cold but it's great,'' she said. ``It's something that holds a family together.''

Throughout the world, Easter services also were used to make a plea for peace. In Rome, Pope John Paul II continued his Easter custom by appealing for reconciliation in the world's trouble spots, especially the Middle East.

Thousands of people crowded into Jerusalem's ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where many believe Jesus was resurrected, to hear Michel Sabbah, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, proclaim the Easter message.

Sabbah wished believers in all faiths ``feasts full of joy and abundant life.'' He noted, however, that the Holy Land was ``tired from the absence of peace.''

In Los Angeles, the spirit of giving was seen throughout the region with such events as the Union Rescue Mission's Easter feast for 3,000 needy men, women and children in downtown Los Angeles.

Last year, Autumn Sartain, a junior at Chatsworth High School, spent the holidays with cousins and aunts in Fresno. ``I usually go with family Easter-egg hunting,'' she said.

This Easter, Sartain, who is also part of her school's community service club, opted to volunteer with a friend as a food server for the day's festivities at the Union Rescue Mission.

For former mission resident Nancy Branch, the day was of giving thanks.

Living at the temporary shelter ``let me know that there are a lot of people who need help,'' said Branch, who resided at the mission shortly after losing her house to a fire.

Branch, who now lives at a nearby hotel, makes occasional visits to staff members and residents. ``I am thankful that I'm alive and that my family is alive! I'm thankful that I have my health,'' she said.

Daily News Staff Writers Bhavna Mistry, Kevin F. Sherry, Leilani Albano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

PHOTO (1) Rachel Moyal, left, Ashley Short and Megan Shannon of Valencia watch an Easter sunrise service at Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce.

Terri Thuente/Daily News

(2) Visitors to downtown's Union Rescue Mission dine on an Easter meal Sunday. Volunteers served as many as 3,000 people.

David Sprague/Daily News

(3) Brian and Cindy Alonge sing by candlelight at the Easter sunrise service at Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village.

Tina Gerson/Daily News