BELLE FOURCHE, SOUTH DAKOTA  -- Traditionally, Belle Fourche United Methodist Church  sunrise service was held in the sanctuary, but this year it was held outside.  After some discussion about where to have it, members of the church decided to erect the three crosses on the lawn and have services there.

Building the crosses

Members of The Pickers, a music group, approached Reverend Bob Duemig with the idea of erecting three crosses on the church lawn in preparation for Sonrise Service on Easter morning.  The Pickers are a group of adults who play a mixture of gospel and bluegrass music.  They play at Belle Fourche Unite Methodist Church once a month. 

Pastor Bob said, “ A few of us were in my office talking about the music, and I shared of a few times when I made three crosses for a couple of churches to have a place for sunrise services. After some discussion about where to have it, we decided to erect the crosses on the lawn and have services there.”

Raising the crosses

The Pickers donated the material.  A local building supply, The Round-Up Building Center of Belle Fourche manufactured the crosses for the church.  When the crosses were delivered up, the builder said that it gave him a new perspective of what Christ went through on our behalf.

The area was prepared and the crosses were raised on Palm Sunday.  On Friday, April 10, members of the trustees worked to prepare the ground and install sleeves to receive the crosses.  On Saturday, other members of the church worked on landscaping the area. 

After the closing hymn on Palm Sunday worship, the congregation filed out to the area and the crosses were secured in the sleeves.  Reverend Duemig prayed that the crosses would give believers a new understanding of Christ’s sacrifice as well as others who may not realize what Christ did for them and closed worship with the Benediction.

Crosses become permanent

It was decided to leave the crosses up year round.  The crosses will serve as a reminder of Christ’s love and the free gift of grace he offered to all.

There is a school on the other side of the parking lot by Belle Fourche UMC.  Parents park in the church parking lot waiting to pick up their children.  In October, the church formed a group called "The Javateers".  Once a month, "The Javateers" give coffee and cookies to parents waiting for their kids. The Javateers take time to talk with the parents about their day and take prayer requests if needed. 

“Yesterday, quite a few commented on the crosses and it started quite a bit of conversation about faith between the Javateers and the parents,” stated Deumig.