EASTER SERVICE WILL BE HELD OUTDOORS.

Byline: Karen Thacker Community Columnist

As the sun rises Sunday over Juniper Hills, worshippers from local congregations will gather on a natural amphitheater for the 10th annual Easter Sunrise Service.

Arriving in darkness, the worshippers will sit on a hillside facing east while the sun comes up as the service unfolds.

``It's based on the tradition that since Christ rose on the third day and according to Scripture, he rose early in the morning . . . we celebrate at that time,'' said the Rev. Bob Frisbee of Littlerock Presbyterian Church, the organizer. ``It's really inspirational to be there early in the morning. It's really cold, and it's neat to see how it really would have been for Jesus all those years ago.''

The hourlong multidenominational service begins at 6 a.m. at the Juniper Hills Bowl, on 106th Street East south of Fort Tejon Road. It is open to the general public.

Sunday-best clothing is not the appropriate dress: The bowl sits at 5,000-foot elevation, and the area received more than a foot of snow last week. Coats, hats, chairs, mats and blankets are advisable.

``Their hearts get warmed up so that's good, but it's nice to not be chilly,'' Frisbee said.

The annual event is organized by the Foothill Pastors Ministerial Association, made up of eight churches in the Littlerock and Pearblossom areas. The Juniper Hills Association allows free use of the outdoor bowl, which seats about 200. The clubhouse could be used if the weather is bad.

The Rev. Randy Statler of South Antelope Valley Church of the Nazarene will be the key speaker, with other ministers reading Scripture passages or giving prayers.

There will be several choirs singing and congregational hymns as well.