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Easter Services In West Mark New Beginning

WEST (CBSDFW.COM) -  The small town of West is proving that rebuilding is possible when hope, and prayer are in abundance.

Earlier this week, residents of West marked the one year anniversary of the explosion that rocked the town and killed 15 people.

Three days later, members of the "First Baptist Church of West" held their Easter worship services outside, at the same location they did the Sunday after last year's blast.

"That Sunday became a huge step forward and a statement of hope and faith. No only for us, but for our community," said Dr. John Crowder, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of West.

More than 500 people attended the service to hear a message about the city's progression since the tragedy.

Pastor Crowder says it's now time to create new traditions and continue to recover emotionally.

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(credit: CBS 11 News)

"Today was extra special. We were able to celebrate what God has done after the explosion but also celebrate the risen Lord on Easter all at once so it really turned out to be a wonderful day for us," said Crowder.

"Every year on the Sunday after April 17th, we're going to be back here, because we want to remember that day. We want to remember what God did for us."

At the end of the service, a private prayer session was provided to survivors and those affected by the blast.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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