THOUSANDS ATTEND SUNRISE SERVICES MANY SEEK THE SPIRIT OF EASTER.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Staff Writer

While 1,000 people celebrated Easter at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Sunday morning, the service celebrating the resurrection of Christ held a special meaning for Ricky and Beverly Carr.

As the sun rose, the Los Angeles couple said their thoughts were focused on their 6-year-old daughter who was buried there last month after she died of brain cancer.

``She was such a beautiful little baby. She just got tired and she wanted to go home,'' said Beverly Carr. ``She's in heaven now.''

``We never in our wildest dreams thought we'd be here like this. This is beautiful. We know our baby and Jesus are up there together. It's comforting and it's beautiful,'' the mother said.

Bundled up in blankets, hats and coats on an overcast Easter morning, thousands of worshippers attended Easter services throughout the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles.

The sunrise services this year returned to the Hollywood Bowl, where dancers from the Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan-Liturgical Ballet performed.

It was one of many Southern California sunrise services, including the giant Hollywood Bowl extravaganza that returned after a five-year absence due to renovations during the bowl's down seasons. Bowl services date back to 1921.

Special services were held at the Union Rescue Mission downtown and five Forest Lawn parks in Southern California, including in Glendale and Hollywood Hills.

The cold air didn't bother the Harring family members who have faithfully attended the service at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills for 12 years. They came prepared with thick blankets.

``It's a family tradition each year. We like being outdoors. It's a nice way to start your day,'' said Patti Harring, a resident of Burbank.

Seated in the forecourt of the Birth of Liberty mosaic on a hilltop at the cemetery, children and adults sang hymns along with the 40-member New San Fernando Valley Master Chorale.

``This is my favorite time - when they sing ``Hallelujah.'' This is one of the few places where you really hear it,'' said 70-year-old Burbank resident Margaret Shaner, who wore a pink hat and held a freshly picked rose from her garden.

``The chorus is really wonderful this morning - and that trumpet!'' Shaner said, humming in beat to the choir before taking off for a ham sandwich picnic with her husband in Tujunga Canyon.

Bob Robblee of Glendale scanned the newspapers all week to find an Easter service that would make him feel at home - with his family thousands of miles away in Massachusetts.

``This is my first time at Forest Lawn. It's very majestic. I thought there would be a couple people hanging around a tree. I didn't expect something this grandiose,'' Robblee said.

``I wanted something that made me feel the spirit of Easter with the sun just coming up,'' he said.

The sun was shrouded with clouds during the service, but Robblee took joy in its reminding him of his childhood days.

``It reminds me of standing next to your sisters and brothers and you're wearing your soft felt Easter hat,'' he said. ``And by 7 a.m., we're done - and it's time for the buffets - at Marie Callender's or something like that.''

The Rev. Vahe Simonian of the Presbyterian Ministry gave the principal address for the service, which dates back more than 40 years at the memorial park.

For Richard Phipps, 68, of Burbank the message was very clear.

``There is life. I see it everytime I trim a rose or pick flowers. We have gardens and trees coming back to life. We see it in plants, animals and nature . . . It's the renewal of life.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Beverly and Ricky Carr find comfort in Easter Sunrise Service at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, where last month they had buried their 6-year-old daughter, Ricci, who died of brain cancer.

(2) Approximately 1,000 worshipers attend the Waster Sunrise Service early Sunday at forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Hollywood Hills.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer