In the early hours of Easter morning, beneath a thick veil of fog that softened the skyline and muted the sunrise, the 113th Easter Dawn Service unfolded atop Mount Penn at the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower. Though the rising sun remained hidden, its presence was unmistakable—felt in the glow behind the mist and echoed in the central message of the morning: even when unseen, the light remains.
Broadcast live across Berks County on WEEU 830 AM, the service reached both those gathered on the mountain and countless listeners at home, continuing a tradition that has endured for well over a century.
A Welcome Through the Fog
The service opened with a warm radio welcome, introducing listeners to a program of prayer, music, scripture, and message. Leading the morning was Mike Reinert—pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, longtime participant in the Dawn Service planning team, and a familiar voice in Berks County broadcasting.
Reinert greeted those who had “braved the fog” to climb Skyline Drive, noting that while he had experienced many different weather conditions over the years, this morning’s dense fog was unlike any other. Yet it was precisely in that moment—when he saw the illuminated cross atop the tower cutting through the mist—that he knew he had arrived at the right place.
“The light of Jesus’ cross shines in our lives and shows us the way,” he told the gathered crowd—an observation that would frame the entire service.
Music That Opened the Morning
The service began with music that set a tone of reverence and celebration.
- Andrew Angstadt of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church (St. John’s Elizabethtown/LaSalle tradition) provided opening musical leadership and later led congregational singing, including “In Christ Alone.”
- Benjamin Reber of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church sounded the shofar, a powerful and ancient call that echoed across the mountain and symbolically announced the resurrection.
The congregation joined in the classic Easter hymn:
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”—voices rising into the fog, affirming a truth older than the mountain itself.
Invocation and the Passing of the Torch
The invocation was delivered by Reverend Jose Pagan of Jesucristo Es El Rey Church, the sponsoring church for this year’s service.
His prayer drew imagery from the natural world surrounding the gathering—the breaking dawn, the rising sun, the falling dew—connecting creation itself to the resurrection message. He emphasized unity in Christ and the sustaining presence of God in all circumstances.
Following the prayer, a significant moment of transition was acknowledged:
the leadership of the Easter Dawn Service passing from First Baptist Church of Reading to Jesucristo Es El Rey Church. This “passing of the torch” was framed not merely as organizational change, but as a continuation of spiritual stewardship—rooted in biblical examples of leadership succession.
Worship Through Movement and Youth Participation
One of the most visually striking elements of the service came from a youth dance group from Jesucristo Es El Rey Church. Through interpretive dance, they retold the story of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection—bringing movement, emotion, and a powerful sense of generational continuity to the mountaintop worship experience.
Their performance emphasized a recurring theme of the morning: the importance of youth in carrying forward the message of faith.
Community Voices in Prayer
The service continued with a pastoral prayer led by Craig Caltagirone of Calvary United Methodist Church in Mohnton.
Caltagiron—known locally for his involvement in business, theater, and ministry—guided the congregation in reflection and unity. He invited all present to join together in the Lord’s Prayer, acknowledging the need for spiritual unity in a divided world.
His prayer extended beyond the mountaintop, asking for guidance and cohesion not only for those gathered, but for the city of Reading, Berks County, the state, and the nation.
Scripture: The Empty Tomb
The scripture reading was delivered by Gretchen Manmiller, a member of the planning team. She read from Matthew 28:1–10, recounting:
- The earthquake
- The angel rolling away the stone
- The proclamation: “He is not here; He has risen”
Her reading set the theological foundation for the morning, grounding the service firmly in the resurrection narrative.
The Sermon: “Jesus Delivers!”
Pastor Mike Reinert then delivered the central message of the service: “Jesus Delivers!”
Blending humor, storytelling, and theological clarity, Reinert unpacked the idea of “delivery” in three profound ways:
Deliverance from Sin and Death
He emphasized that Jesus’ resurrection breaks the ultimate chain—death itself—offering freedom from sin and fear.
Deliverance to Eternal Life
Easter is not only about what believers are saved from, but what they are brought into: eternal life with God.
Deliverance on Promises
In a world filled with broken commitments, Reinert stressed that Jesus is completely reliable:
“Jesus promised—and Jesus delivered.”
He highlighted the phrase:
“He has risen, just as He said.”
Those final words—just as He said—served as the anchor of his message.
Evidence of the Resurrection Today
Reinert extended the message beyond biblical history, pointing to modern-day “proof” of the resurrection through:
- Changed lives
- Freedom from addiction
- Peace in hardship
- Spiritual transformation
He argued that the same power that raised Christ from the dead continues to operate in believers today—a living, ongoing testimony to the resurrection.
Music, Offering, and Fellowship
Following the sermon:
- Andrew Angstadt returned to lead “In Christ Alone”, reinforcing the themes of victory, redemption, and hope.
- An offering was collected by youth volunteers from Jesucristo Es El Rey Church to support the continuation of the service.
- A prayer team was made available for personal prayer and spiritual support.
Reinert also acknowledged numerous contributors, including:
- Craig Dodge and Virginia Frederick-Dodge of VA Productions for sound
- Volunteers from Pagoda Skyline Incorporated
- The City of Reading for logistical support
Benediction and Final Blessing
The benediction was delivered by Jackson Garcia, youth pastor at Jesucristo Es El Rey Church. His closing prayer called on attendees to carry the resurrection message into their daily lives:
- To live in unity
- To reflect Christ’s light
- To serve as witnesses in their communities
He concluded with a traditional blessing invoking the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
A Joyful Conclusion—and a Personal Touch
In a moment that captured the warmth of the community, the congregation paused to celebrate Pastor Reinert’s 70th birthday, singing “Happy Birthday” as the service drew to a close.
Before departing, the crowd joined once more in the proclamation that defines Easter morning on Mount Penn:
“Christ is risen!”
“He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”
The sounding of the shofar by Benjamin Reber marked the official close of the service—its echo fading into the fog as attendees began their descent down Skyline Drive.
A Tradition That Continues
As plans were announced for the 114th Easter Dawn Service in 2027, the enduring significance of the tradition was clear. For over a century, this mountaintop gathering has brought together generations of Berks Countians—uniting denominations, cultures, and communities in a shared declaration of hope.
And on this fog-covered Easter morning, one truth rose clearly above all else:
Even when the sun cannot be seen, the light still shines.
And as Pastor Reinert reminded all who listened—
Jesus delivers.
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