GENOA -- Though there was no sunrise on Easter morning, that did not stop residents of here from making their annual trip to the Osterhoudt Farm to celebrate the true meaning behind the holiday.

"The sun rising is a nice representation for the rising of the son (Jesus)," said United Church of Genoa pastor, Larry Bell. "Dawn break is a way to remember the women who came to his tomb to find it empty."

The brisk wind and the early hour was a sacrifice to these women as well, Bell said. Sunrise came at 6:23 a.m.

Lights from the open door of the barn helped guests to see while they sang hymns and offered up affirmations from different faiths such as Hebrew, Pawnee Indian, and St. Francis waiting for the day to break.

"This isn't for any one church," said Virginia Conner, United Church of Genoa member. "This is a community event."

For more, see Monday's edition of The Citizen.