Church sunrise services happening at the city on Easter Sunday

By Ruben Lowman

Come this Sunday, worshippers of the Christian faith will gather together beside the ocean at sunrise in North Myrtle Beach, where the vision of the rising sun along the horizon will crystallize the resurrection of Jesus Christ and remind them what the Easter holiday is truly about. 

Last year at this time, churches in the city and throughout Horry County were preparing to resume in-person services for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged and they were classified as “non-essential”. That decision by state leaders meant that all religious services were held virtually up until last Easter Sunday, typically one of the busiest weekends of the year for churches. Many have continued to broadcast online for their patrons who may not feel comfortable to return to the pews just yet. 

Church leaders had a tough decision to make last Easter – should they hold their services for the holiday in-person, outside or completely virtual. This year, with the effects of the pandemic having receded, the city of North Myrtle Beach is home to several churches that will be celebrating Easter Sunday at sunrise on the beach, as well as also holding traditional services and live streams online. 

Here are some of the Easter Sunday services that will be offered by churches in the city of North Myrtle Beach:

Barefoot Church, located at 701 Main Street in Ocean Drive, will be holding Easter Sunrise Beach Baptisms beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the Horseshoe at the end of Main Street. They will start their Easter Sunday Services at 8 a.m. (mask-mandatory), 9:30 a.m. (mask-encouraged) and 11:15 a.m. (mask-encouraged). You can also watch the services online at https://barefootchurch.com/easter/. 

King of Glory Lutheran Church, located at 805 11th Avenue North in Ocean Drive, will begin their Easter Sunrise Beach Service at 6:30 a.m at the 10th Avenue North beach access, with their Easter Sunday Services at 8:30 a.m and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary.

Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, located at 410 6th Avenue South in Ocean Drive, will hold their Easter Sunday Services at 9:15 a.m. contemporary and 11 a.m. traditional services. Watch both services live online at https://oceandrivechurch.org/watch-live/.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, located at 1100 8th Ave North in Ocean Drive, will be holding Easter Sunday Masses throughout the morning and afternoon, with scheduled services at 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 noon.

St. Stephens Episcopal Church, located at 801 11th Avenue North in Ocean Drive, will have their Easter Sunrise Beach Service at 6:30 a.m at the 10th Avenue North beach access. The church will hold Easter Sunday Services at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. There is an overflow in the parking lot and churchgoers can listen in their car on the radio at 89.3 FM.

Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 706 14th Avenue South in Crescent Beach, will have an Oceanfront Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. at 17th Avenue South, with Easter Worship in the sanctuary at 8:30 a.m. and Easter Worship on the lawn at 11 a.m.