Worshipers gathered before the sun peeked over the horizon for the annual Easter sunrise service and baptisms at Will Rogers State Beach. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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)
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)
Bruce Mitchell joins in the prayer. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Adam Baldwin and son Devlin bow their heads in prayer at the beach service. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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)
It’s a bracing baptism ritual for pastor Jim Leonard, left, Cloë Lane and pastor Bredberg. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Charlie Xu, 19, of Westchester, cheers after being baptized by pastor Darren Mariott. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Randy Fox, minister at Fellowship Baptist Church, baptizes Lisa Danielle Mendez during an Easter Sunday service in the alley of L.A.’s Emmanuel Baptist Rescue Mission. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Sammy Butler, with Fox, emerges from his baptism Sunday. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
