Easter 2025: Egg giveaway held at South Side church; hundreds gather for sunrise service downtown​on April 21, 2025 at 3:56 am

CHICAGO (WLS) — Easter events were held across Chicago on Sunday.

Hundreds of people gathered at Daley Plaza at the crack of dawn to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ together.

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The Sunrise Worship Service, in its 18th year, began around 6 a.m.

At the center of the service was a 19-foot wooden cross, which had been up since Thursday.

It was all organized by the Thomas More Society, a nonprofit law firm which has fought religious liberty and free speech cases.

Each year, different groups have sponsored what they call Cross on the Plaza in the days leading up to Easter each year.

And there was a resounding message of hope at New Life Covenant Southeast Church on the South Side.

“I need you to see my hanging, because the same you see me hanging is how I’m going to get up,” said New Life Covenant Southeast Pastor John Hannah.

Thousands of faithful members packed the sprawling church’s colossal sanctuary on Sunday.

Hannah says he wants those hearing his message to feel loved and known.

“Regardless of what’s going on on this earth, know that we are supposed to have life on this earth,” Hannah said.

But before people left church, the received one last blessing on their way out: a carton of eggs.

“Families are having a little bit of a hard time. We just realized this was the best way to show our love and acknowledge this day,” said Jessica Nash wutg New Life Covenant Southeast.

The church passed out 40,000 eggs to members and the community alike, with the cost of eggs up.

“This is what we live for. That Jesus died and rose for me and all of us,” said Lori Hardiman, who received eggs.

Hardiman says the simple act of kindness comes as no surprise, especially on Easter.

“This is what it’s all about. It’s not just about coming to church and singing. It’s about serving one another,” Hardiman said.

One blessing after another was passed out, a carton at a time.