Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Rev. Joe Brown, Goodland Baptist Church.
It wasn’t the walk to Emmaus, but people walked and boated in the dark to be part of the Easter Sunrise Service.
Local soloist Ronnie Wooten was part of the audience.
Possibly the largest crowd at a Marco Sunrise service.
The crowd heads home after an inspirational and moving Sunrise service.
Matt Papa, on guitar, was the music leader.
Worship leaders with interim city manager Casey Lucius: Rev. Thomas McCulley, Rev. Joe Brown, Jon Fogarty, Rev. Scott Kerens, Lucius, and Rev. Ed Brandt.
Rev. Scott Kerens addresses the large gathering.
Rev. Thomas McCulley and Rev. Scott Kerens confer.
“As the sun rises, so does our hope—for He is risen indeed.” On Easter Sunday, April 5, thousands descended on Marco Beach for a spirited Sunrise Service officiated by ministers from five area churches. The crowd was arguably the largest ever on Marco Beach.
The weather couldn’t have been better, 70 degrees with a pleasant breeze. Matt Papa and his band performed the prelude, postlude, and all six hymns in between.
Rev. Ed Brandt of United Church of Marco Island opened the service with the call to worship and after two hymns, Rev. Joe Brown of the Goodland Baptist Church delivered the Prayer of Confession and Assurance. Jon Fogarty of Family Church of Marco Island read the scripture, and Scott Kerens of Marco Church followed with the Easter message. Rev. Thomas McCulley of New Life Community Church had the crowd enrapt as he shared his personal struggle with cancer in the closing prayer, citing the verse "For to me, to live as Christ and to die is gain."
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