The Rev. Chris Brathwaite, rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City, holds a baby at a recent service.

Studies show that more people go to church for Easter services than on any other day of the year, even Christmas.

Those studies, which can be referenced in the Christian Standard and Christian Post websites, among others, will likely hold true again—at least in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.

At St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City, the Rev. Chris Brathwaite said he has seen a marked improvement in attendance for Sunday and Wednesday worship services this Lenten season.

For St. Mark’s, though, the power and appeal of how Jesus died for man’s sins and was then resurrected have proven to be catalysts, moving people toward an increased interest in the Bible and Christianity.

“Prior to Ash Wednesday (on March 1), we announced a Lenten discipline delving into the book of Isaiah,” Brathwaite said. “Since we began, it has been encouraging to see the interests and the attentiveness to this prophet’s role in the life of Israel.

“Because of the excitement the discussion has generated, attendees at the group study have extended their start time by commencing 30 minutes earlier,” Brathwaite said. “We now meet Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., rather than 11 a.m.”

Brathwaite said the pews began filling more in the weeks leading up to Easter, something that excites him for the future.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City has seen an uptick in attendance this Lenten season.

“Easter Sunday always shows a bump in attendance, and the Sunday following shows a marked drop,” Brathwaite said. “This year will be different because since Ash Wednesday I have seen a gradual increase in new people showing up at worship each Sunday.”

Brathwaite also said that this year he helped spark interest in church attendance by trying something new. “We have called the church to a holy Lent,” he said. “That is the standard call as prescribed in our collect and prayers at Ash Wednesday, and so we have scheduled open prayer meeting times for members to come together for prayer and reflection.

“This open format offers people opportunities to testify to God’s goodness as they offer their prayers aloud,” he said. “These extemporaneous utterances inspire and embolden others to do the same when the words are heard and the visual emotions are observed. The setting is inspiring, uplifting, contagious and sets the tone for a happy day.”

Brathwaite also said that Easter and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice seem to have more meaning these days.

“At best, people are seeking clarity and meaning about these troubling times,” he said. “People are unhappy but cannot clearly understand or articulate the unhappiness. Some people are frightened, but are not clear about why or what to fear. Others sincerely believe the old spiritual that says, ‘In times like these, we need a Savior.’

“That Savior is Jesus, and he can be found in worship and at prayer meetings,” he said. “Despite our nationality, ethnicity, spirituality or political persuasions, each human being needs something to hope for. When hope is removed and uncertainty and fear permeate the lives of people, they need to seek the hope found in Jesus.”