Sunrise at Chimney Rock overlooking Lake Lure
WHERE I WENT AND WHY
2021 found us still attending Virtual Church after 13 months of semi-quarantine during the Covid pandemic. With everyone in our family having been vaccinated, we were able to gather at Park's Peak, though all of our church services are still virtual and we are still wearing masks in public. In researching outdoor activities for my granddaughters I came across a Sunrise Service on Chimney Rock. Because of the pandemic, it was virtual this year, being broadcast on Facebook.
WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
The Sunrise Service is a tradition on Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. It is non-denominational (though of course Christian) and is at 7:30 am. The past two years have been virtual, but hopefully we will be able to attend in person next year. Chimney Rock is 20 minutes from Park's Peak and between Lake Lure and Bat Cave on NC Highway 9. Past services have been posted on YOUTUBE and I'm sure this one will be soon. It only lasted 18 minutes.
MOOD
The mood was one of celebration of New Life. The bagpipers playing Amazing Grace on the Rock overlooking Lake Lure as the sun came up was very moving. On Facebook they began broadcasting before the actual service started and had to adjust the camera several times during the service which was a little distracting. This showed that the service was actually live, but it would have been better if they had missed the piper taking his own pictures.
MUSIC
Three bagpipers provided the music. Amazing Grace greeted the sun and a happier tune ended the service (I'm sure if I was Scotch Irish I would have recognized it). The mountains are dominated by Scotch Irish immigrants who, though they have been here for generations, are proud of their heritage. The plaintive sound of the pipers seemed very appropriate and a wonderful way to greet Easter Morning in the mountains.
MESSAGE
The Easter message was presented simply with a reading from Luke and a very short message by a local minister. I found it interesting (and appropriate) that he recognized the politics of the time in the miracle. He said, "The most powerful force the world could provide could not hold Jesus in the grave." We are to celebrate our new life in Christ. It was all done off camera, while we watched the sun rise over the lake.
OBSERVATIONS AND OUTREACH
This is a tradition in this area that I was unaware of until this year. I hope I can attend in person one year soon. The setting is majestic and the message was clear and uplifting. We are all clinging to the message of New Life during the pandemic. Hopefully as more folks get vaccinated, it will fade and we can all celebrate New Life.
