SAN FRANCISCO- Despite gloomy and rainy weather, Chinese Christians in San Francisco have gathered early on Easter Sunday to celebrate the great hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Sponsored by the Chinese Christian Union (CCU) of San Francisco, some 50 Christians from 13 Chinese churches joined the ecumenical bilingual Easter Sunrise Service held at the Chinese Congregational Church in Chinatown at 7: 00 a.m. The theme this year is "Live in Risen Hope" with the keynote sermon delivered in both English and Cantonese by Rev. David Kao, interim pastor of the hosting church.

Through the scripture of Mark 16: 1-8, which Rev. Kao described as a rare passage used for Easter sermon, Christians are challenged to live in the hope of resurrection even in the midst of uncertainty and adversity in life.

Rev. Kao said there is nothing extraordinary in the bible passage except one thing – Jesus Christ has risen from death and emptied the tomb. This one single historical fact from 2000 years has become the strongest evidence of how Christians should live today.

"By human nature, it is true that we all live in the shadow of death. All of us fear to die," Rev. Kao said. "Yet since we believe Christ Jesus has risen from death, there is no option for us but to live in the hope of resurrection."

Rev. Kao went on illustrating the hope of resurrection, which has the power to overcome all the hatred and differences among people.

Christians are also urged to receive the hope of resurrection with a grateful and joyful heart. They have sung some traditional Easter hymns. The one-hour worship service is closed with a prayer of benediction by Rev. Thomas Mui, chairman of the Chinese Christian Union (CCU) of San Francisco.