ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 31, 1997 TAG: 9703310103
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF THE ROANOKE TIMES
In his sermon, evangelist Pat Robertson referred to Easter as ``the ultimate hope, the ultimate triumph, the ultimate victory.''
A blending of reverence and curiosity brought Tammy and Brian Nolff of Stuarts Draft to the sunrise service at Natural Bridge on Easter Sunday.
The Nolffs, who carried their 5-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, said they had lived in Virginia for two years without having visited Natural Bridge. It had been years since they had attended an Easter sunrise service. And they had never heard evangelist Pat Robertson preach except on television.
They said curiosity about the television minister and the bridge prompted them to rise before dawn to reach the 7 a.m. service. Natural Bridge, they discovered, was "a pretty place" for it.
Fred and Thelma Damewood of Roanoke County, on the other hand, are veterans of the annual event.
The Damewoods, parishioners of Mountain View Christian Church, said they "come just about every year." Sunday was the 51st consecutive service at the site beyond the bridge itself.
Five Liberty College students left Lynchburg at 5:15 a.m. to reach the service.
Keith Savoie and Dan Lundt learned of the Easter service during an earlier visit to the bridge. When they called and discovered that Robertson was preaching, they said, it was no trouble to persuade Abby Burdick, Michelle Emery and David Davis to accompany them. Robertson, they said, was a real attraction for their trip.
Sarah Sebastian of Lexington, a student at Radford University, was handing out programs. Sebastian, who works at Natural Bridge weekends and summers, said 3,500 people were expected.
There were about half that number present.
Some women came with corsages, light Easter dresses and high heels, ill-equipped for a long walk over gravel and the early morning chill. Others, who were obviously regulars at the event, arrived with heavy jackets and folding chairs. They got to sit through the service, while most people had to stand.
Robertson, chairman of Christian Broadcasting Network at Virginia Beach and chancellor of Regent University, preached a traditional Easter sermon. He was assisted by the brass ensemble and singers from James Madison University.
Robertson said the resurrection of Jesus was "so powerful that it changed the course of history." People came to the sunrise service, Robertson said, "because he lives."
"Because he lives, I can face tomorrow," Robertson said. "Because he lives, all fear is gone." Christians know they do not face annihilation at death: "There is no bondage for fear of death."
Christians know they will see Christ, Robertson said, instead of seeking a "funny-looking" alien spaceship as did the 39 cultists in California who committed mass suicide.
Robertson said Christ lived as a man in fulfillment of the Scriptures and died for our sins. "He took upon himself the penalty of death, sin and separation from God."
"He will come back again," Robertson told the crowd.
Easter has two messages, according to Robertson. Easter, he said, is "the ultimate hope, the ultimate triumph, the ultimate victory."
The second, he said is that "God is a God of the second chance. ... There is always a second chance with the Lord" regardless of failure in sports, business or romance. "Easter Sunday says there's a second chance."
"We've got the answer, and it's Jesus Christ," Robertson said. "Because he lives, all fear is gone."
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY THE ROANOKE TIMES. 1. Worshipers participateby CNBin the Easter sunrise service held Sunday at Natural Bridge. The
service, which has been held for 51 years at the site, is
nondenominational. 2. Pat Robertson, who delivered the sermon, was a
major draw for some in attendance. color.