Celebrating Easter in the Southland
![Worshipers gathered before the sun peeked over the horizon for the annual Easter sunrise service and baptisms at Will Rogers State Beach.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e8c3f5e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x362+0+0/resize/586x362!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fea%2Fc6%2F730e841269fcc7021a755590a04f%2Fla-me-easterservices1.jpg)
Worshipers gathered before the sun peeked over the horizon for the annual
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Members of the crowd huddle in the early-morning chill. The service was led by the Rev. Will Bredberg, who told worshipers: The thing that brings us out at this crazy time of the morning is the absolute conviction that Jesus Christ, a carpenter from Nazareth, died on a cross 2,000 years ago, Bredberg said, proclaiming, He is risen. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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Tyler Racek, 3 1/2, is yawning -- or singing along to the band Risen, which played during the nondenominational service. Mom Lisa holds sister Katie, 6, a little sleepier than her brother. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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Bruce Mitchell joins in the prayer. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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Adam Baldwin and son Devlin bow their heads in prayer at the beach service. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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Cloë Lane, 15, is bracketed by her grandfather, pastor Will Bredberg, and her mom, Tracey Lane, Bredberg’s daughter, for a prayer before Chloe takes the plunge for her baptism at sea. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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It’s a bracing baptism ritual for pastor Jim Leonard, left, Cloë Lane and pastor Bredberg. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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Charlie Xu, 19, of Westchester, cheers after being baptized by pastor Darren Mariott. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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Randy Fox, minister at Fellowship Baptist Church, baptizes Lisa Danielle Mendez during an
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Sammy Butler, with Fox, emerges from his baptism Sunday. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)