God is alive, and he loves us. That was the message the Rev. Curtis Moffat shared with more than 70 people who took part in an Easter sunrise service on the grounds of the antebellum house Rosalie. &uot;God loves us,&uot;&160;Moffat told the crowd. &uot;That’s what sunrise on Easter Sunday really means.&uot;

The 30-minute service, which began at 7 a.m. was open to the public and was sponsored by Jefferson Street United Methodist Church, where Moffat is pastor. Both Miss-Lou residents and out-of-town visitors, dressed in suits and windsuits alike, attended the service.

Accompanied by a keyboardist, they sang the hymns &uot;Christ Arose&uot;&160;and &uot;He Lives&uot; and read responsive readings that spoke of the joy and victory of Christ’s resurrection.

In his message, Moffat pointed out that when Jesus’ friends came to his tomb that first Easter morning, the angel told them to tell the disciples – but especially Peter – that Jesus is alive.

That simple sentence was Jesus’ way of telling Peter three things, said Moffat: that he was forgiven for his earlier denial of Jesus, that he was needed to do God’s work and that he should spread the news of Jesus throughout the world.

That forgiveness and mission applies to everyone, &uot;to me and certainly to you,&uot;&160;Moffat said.

The joy of Easter should not be limited to one day a year, Bryant Reed pointed out in a prayer earlier in the service.

&uot;Each day, let Christ rise in our hearts,&uot;&160;Reed said.

Despite clouds and cool winds, there was no sign of rain, and Kay Jones Cole, a member of First Baptist Church of Natchez, said she found the outdoor setting very inspiring.

In the springtime, she said, &uot;There’s new birth all around us. … When you’re out here, you know that there’s a God.&uot;

Another community service was held at 6 a.m. Sunday at the Vidalia Recreation Center.