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)
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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)
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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)