Early this morning, before the sun has risen, a darkened Gainesville church represents a dark tomb.

Worshippers gather to listen to the Easter story.

Sparks fly from a flint stick. The flame is blessed and used to light a candle, which represents the light of Christ risen from the dead, and worshipers sing a traditional hymn.

Then the lights come on. Church bells ring. Easter has arrived. Jesus is risen.

At Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville, the sunrise service is the first of three services today.

Across town, Blackshear Place Baptist Church in Flowery Branch is gearing up for its first service of the day at about 8 a.m. Worshippers sing hymns and praise songs, accompanied by a band. The preacher shares a message about Jesus' sacrifice through the eyes of Mary Magdalene.

At Gainesville First United Methodist Church on Thompson Bridge Road, the day begins with a short sunrise service by the lake before three traditional and two contemporary services. At the contemporary service, vocalists in the praise band will be scattered throughout the congregation as they begin singing "Christ the Lord Has Risen Today" before making their way to the front platform.

And countless other churches of every size and denomination join in with their own special traditions.

For the pastors preparing to lead, it's a hectic week leading up to the most important day of the year.

Wendy Cordova, pastor of evangelism and lay ministry at Gainesville First United Methodist, was working on her sermon Friday afternoon. She leads the contemporary services at the church, and normally she finishes her sermon on Wednesdays, she said.

But writing an authentic, heartfelt sermon is not something you can rush.

"I just think you have to sort of spend time in reflection with your own self about what it means for you before you can begin to share it with others," she said.

Leaders at Grace Episcopal and Blackshear Place echoed that sentiment. It takes a lot of prayer and time in the Bible, said Jeff Crook, pastor at Blackshear.

And it takes that personal belief in the new life that Jesus offers, said Doug Dailey, rector at Grace.

For Dailey, though, traditions are liturgical, focusing on the recitation of certain passages. His sermon is short, just 10 minutes or so.

"The starting place for a sermon in our tradition is always the Bible readings, and so ... this year we're reading Matthew's account of the empty tomb and so that will be the basis of my sermon."

The empty tomb is also a symbol for Crook. His sermon is titled "Empty Tomb for an Empty Life," referencing Mary Magdalene.

"We try to paint the picture of Easter on a different canvas and with fresh paint every year," he said. "It is an exciting time and deserves our very best."

Cordova plans to share about transformation: Jesus' transformation from death to life and how that change allows believers to have a transformation as well. She'll also use Mary Magdalene as an example, as she was transformed from distraught at Jesus' death to joyful upon his resurrection.

Each church expects hundreds to attend. There will be baptisms, communion, hymns accompanied by brass instruments and praise songs accompanied by guitar.

"The whole service proclaims why we're there — the liturgy, the words of the service, the music all proclaim that Jesus Christ is risen today," Dailey said.

It's a step away from the normal Sunday teaching. A day to reflect on the uniting belief of Christianity: that Jesus died, was buried and on the third day rose again.

"Because he is alive, we can find salvation, hope and eternal life in him," Crook said.