The message for this year’s 7 a.m. beach-front service, hosted at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort is: “All I Need is a Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and will be given by Marco Presbyterian (PCA) Church’s Senior Pastor the Rev. William “Bill” Lyle.

“May there be a shout of glory across the Island as we share the true good news of Jesus’ love.” That is the prayer of Easter Sunrise Service committee member, Blaine Fluth.

The 23rd annual Easter Sunrise Service will be held next Sunday, the 24th. The message for this year’s 7 a.m. beach-front service, hosted at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort is: “All I Need is a Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and will be given by Marco Presbyterian Church’s Senior Pastor the Rev. William “Bill” Lyle.

“Quite simply, all I want people to take away from the service is a personal knowledge of who Jesus Christ is,” said Lyle, of the service.

Other participating clergy are the Rev. Dr. Roger Felipe, First Baptist Family Church, and the Rev. Thomas McCulley, New Life Community Church of God.

“I hope that once again everyone who participates in the Easter Service will be reminded of the significance of the Resurrection of Christ for the future of our world and our planet,” said Felipe, who will give the opening moments in prayer.

“God will forgive and bring us into a beautiful future when we place our trust in Christ for our salvation. Until then, may we be stirred with joy and compassion as we continue to share the love and hope of God with others.”

“People will trade warm beds for cold darkness, and be glad for the transaction knowing that they came in the night but left in the light,” said McCulley, who will give the closing moments in prayer. “I’ll be grateful for every soul that comes, but I’ll be especially grateful for the folks who make this discovery for the first time, recognizing the spiritual reality of it all.”

Craig Greusel, director of music at Marco Lutheran Church, is this year’s featured soloist. He is known for his rich baritone voice and has played a variety of lead roles in community musicals from Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” to Arthur in “Camelot.” He is also a music specialist with Collier County Public Schools.

Not only is this the first time for him to sing at the Sunrise Service, but it is also the first time Greusel has ever attended, as duties at Marco Lutheran kept him there. He hopes that attendees will take away the message that Easter morning is a time to share the joy of the reality of the risen Christ.

The messages from the songs he will sing are close to his heart. In “You Raised Me Up,” “not only is Christ raised, but all of us are lifted in the celebration of new life,” he said. In “Every Road,” “every day and every situation, be it calm or storm, is an opportunity for each of us to experience the presence and power of God.”

“The salient part of Easter is bringing the realization that Jesus was man and also God,” said master of ceremonies and event co-chair, Alan Sandlin. “He had a plan for us. As people leave the service we hope they will realize that’s God’s plan for salvation was fulfilled because of Easter.”

“Marco’s Easter Sunrise Service on the beach is the largest service of its kind in Southwest Florida,” said Sandlin. Planning for the service begins within weeks of the previous years’ event. Staging and amplification take into account the thousands of people who will be spread out on the beach.

“The sound system is computer designed for the space,” said committee member John Golec. There will be 53,200 watts of power amplification, 43 speaker cabinets, two 20 foot motorized towers and over 90 decibels of sound throughout the audience area. New this year will be the simulcast of the service by Praise FM, 89.5.

Marco Police and volunteers will be on hand to direct traffic and assist with parking. Double parking will also be allowed on Collier Boulevard for the event. Be sure to look for the volunteers in their bright red or yellow vests. Residents’ Beach will open at 6 a.m. for members’ parking. Attendees may access the beach via the walkway north of the Marriott Spa or at the public beach access, north of the Madeira Condominium. Four golf carts will be available at the Spa to transport the handicapped to the beach. Dress is casual and organizers urge attendees to bring their own blanket or chair.