(WSBT) Millions of Christians paused to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter Sunday services around the world. Across Michiana, that reflection took many different forms, but the message in many local churches was the same.

Catholics across the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese were called Sunday to renew their faith by continuing to attend mass each week.

"There are a lot of people who come to the church on Easter Sunday to celebrate," said Father Peter Rocca, C.S.C., rector of Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart. "Those are the ones that we encourage to celebrate every week."

A few miles away in Mishawaka, people gathered at Albright United Methodist Church. It's been six months since a lightning bolt sparked the fire that gutted the church's sanctuary. But Sunday, a new sign of hope. A simple painting that was charred beyond recognition by 3,000 degree flames was unveiled good as new.

"It's a resurrection story for our church that out of the ashes, out of the fire, out of the destruction, there's still a future," said Albright pastor Dennis Ingle, "and that God will resurrect us too."

At Andrews University in Berrien Springs, that resurrection came alive, thanks to the work of more than 600 volunteers who helped recreate the last week of Jesus's life.

"We have everything from the last supper on to the actual crucifixion and resurrection of Christ," said volunteer organizer Kimberly Weber.

It's called the "Passion Play". Over the last five years, it's drawn nearly 40,000 people to the campus of the Seventh Day Adventist affiliated university. This year, because of cold temperatures, much of the play was moved indoors. But crowds of more than 6,000 still packed inside to step back in time.

"It brings you back to Jesus's time," said Amarillis Rogers, who brought her two children to see the play.

Many, like Rogers, found what they were searching for this Easter Sunday. For some, it was in a familiar place. For others, a new home. For all, it signified rebirth that's given hope to those who need it most.