96TH ANNUAL SUNRISE SERVICE ON MT. HELIX EASTER MORNING

March 30, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- For nearly a century, Easter sunrise service has been an annual tradition atop Mt. Helix. 

This year's service will be held at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 31 and will be hosted by Christ Luthern Church of La Mesa. Free shuttle service will be provided starting at 5:30 a.m. from three locations:  the Brigantine Restaurant on Fuerte, the San Miguel Fire Station on Vivera, and the Grossmont Center parking lot near Walmart. 

Now in its 96th year, the ceremony draws some 1,000 participants.  Past servcies have been hosted by other local churches and before that, by the La Mesa Rotary Club for many years.

The setting, an east-facing ampitheater crowned by a large cross atop Mount Helix, is perhaps the most inspirational location in San Diego County to celebrate Easter while watching the sun rise on the horizon. For additional details on this year's services and other Easter events offered by this year's host church, see www.ChristLaMesa.org.