On Sunday, April 16, 2017, more than 12,000 people gathered at Highland Park United Methodist Church to celebrate Easter at one of 11 different worship services, with 1,200 of those worshiping with HPUMC Online.

The day began with powerful worship and a stirring message from Rev. Matt Tuggle at the Sunrise service in Arden Forest. He challenged the more than 2,400 people in attendance to remember that, “God wants to do things in your life that are utterly unbelievable and undeniable, not just for you, but through you.”

In the traditional Sanctuary and contemporary Cornerstone services, Rev. Paul Rasmussen called people to view the Easter story from a new perspective, looking at the empty tomb rather than the cross.

“Easter is about a new way of life,” he says, “A life that truly believes that mercies are born every single day. A resurrection perspective is one that believes all things are possible.”

This was the seventh Easter celebration for HPUMC’s East Dallas Campus, Munger Place Church. While more than 3,800 people attended worship across four services, the day was extra special for one lucky couple who got engaged in front of Munger’s big white tent on Sunday morning.

At the center of HPUMC’s mission is fighting poverty in Dallas and around the world. That’s why 100-percent of the offering collected on Easter Sunday will be given to help do just that. And thanks to you, as of Easter Sunday, $200,000 was raised to help accomplish this mission.

What better way to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and the new life he gives us than to bring new life to our neighbors!