SUN TO RISE ON EASTER PAGEANT.

Byline: Charles F. Bostwick Daily News Staff Writer

The story of Jesus Christ's trial, crucifixion and resurrection will be acted out at dawn Sunday across the jagged outcroppings of Vasquez Rocks County Park.

About 40 performers - most from three local churches and the community - will take part in the pageant, portraying Roman soldiers, people of Jerusalem, Jesus and his tormentors in a 75-minute pageant derived from New Testament accounts.

``Scripture really lends itself (to dramatization) because, to me, it kind of comes alive,'' said Jan Hall, wife of Agua Dulce Foursquare Church's pastor and author of the drama. ``When I'm reading it I see it in my mind anyway. Being able to help other people see it is exciting.''

The service, which includes music by local singers and short prayers and a talk by the three local pastors, starts at 5:45 a.m. Sunday at the park, on Escondido Canyon Road east of Agua Dulce Canyon Road, about halfway between Palmdale and Santa Clarita.

If people want a close-up spot, they should plan on arriving around 4:30 a.m., organizers say. People can watch from their cars, but they will be able to see better if they get out and walk up front, Hall said.

Getting up before sunrise will pose an extra challenge Sunday. The night will be an hour shorter thanks to daylight-saving time going into effect at 2 a.m.

The Vasquez Rocks service actually begins well before sunrise, which officially occurs at 6:16 a.m. The sun will rise during the service, but the producers didn't try to time it to a specific part of the drama, Hall said.

The Kiwanis Club hosted the Vasquez Rocks Easter sunrise service for 27 years, drawing some 2,000 people annually with a traditional style of service with music and sermons.

But Agua Dulce's three evangelical churches - Agua Dulce Foursquare, Family Community Church and Agua Dulce Christian Church - created the drama when they took over the observance last year.

The change started inauspiciously. It snowed, and the performance had to be abridged.

This year they hope the drama can play out at its full length, which includes an 18-foot-tall cross rising atop the park's landmark rock, and Jesus appearing from a tomb crafted onto the rock.

Other community sunrise services include:

Rancho Vista's hilltop cross will be the setting for a 6 a.m. service hosted by Bethel Baptist Church of Lancaster and First Missionary Baptist Church of Littlerock.

Worshipers can park at the Rancho Vista Plaza at 30th Street West and Avenue P, and ride free shuttle buses to the service site, which is south of Rancho Vista Boulevard west of 30th Street West. The buses begin running at 5 a.m. The service will include music provided by members of both churches.

The Foothills Pastors Association will host a service beginning at 6 a.m. in the Juniper Hills Bowl amphitheater at 31401 106th St. E., Littlerock. The association includes St. Andrew's Abbey, Littlerock Presbyterian, Pearblossom Methodist, Littlerock Assembly of God, Memorial Church of God in Christ, Littlerock Nazarene, Pearblossom Foursquare, and Littlerock Hispanic Church.

Red Rock Canyon State Park will hold its 89th annual sunrise service starting at 6 a.m. with a backdrop of the rugged cliffs east of Highway 14. The service is put on by the Mojave Ministerial Service. The Rev. Todd Black, his wife, Kim, and Erica Frye of the Mojave Assembly of God will provide the music. Speaking will be the Rev. Kenneth L. Tweedt of the Mojave House of Prayer.

In the Santa Clarita Valley, a 6:30 a.m. sunrise service will be held at Val Verde Park, 30300 Arlington St. The program is sponsored by the Lions Club of Castaic and the Val Verde Civic Association. A pancake breakfast will follow from 7 to 11 a.m.

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Photo: (Color) Josh Sheridan, as Jesus, carries a cross ina rehearsal for services at Vasquez Rocks.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News