As the sun rose over Atmore Easter morning, silhouettes making up crowds gathered outside churches all over town came into focus as a number of congregations celebrated the Christian faith’s most sacred holiday with sunrise services marking the time of day the body of Jesus Christ was found missing from his tomb some 2,000 years ago.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead,” Presley Street Baptist Church pastor Mike Grindle asked his congregation, quoting the book of Luke. “He is not here. He has risen.”

That question was echoed by ministers all over Atmore Sunday morning, from First Presbyterian Church to Atmore’s First Baptist Church as residents got up early to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Easter Sunday was busy throughout town, but celebrations began even earlier as a crowd gathered Saturday for the fourth annual Easter in the Park. Coordinated by the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, Easter in the Park combined fun family activities with a chance to meet the mammal of the hour – the Easter Bunny.

With sidewalk chalk, bubbles, an egg walk, train rides and plenty of refreshments to keep those waiting to have their picture made with the Easter Bunny busy, Heritage Park stayed packed all morning Saturday.

Saturday also marked the beginning of the chamber’s annual walking tours, which will continue every Saturday throughout the month of April. Saturday’s tour featured area churches and the tours will continue Saturday, April 14, at 10 a.m. with a tour of some of Atmore’s most historic buildings. Each tour lasts approximately one hour.