The Big Idea
This is an Easter Sunday service, however we begin at Christmas Day! At Christmas we celebrate the birth of hope, joy and peace when Christ came, But none of this made sense until the first Easter Sunday when all of these things were fulfilled in his resurrection.
For this service you will need a cross that can be dressed with flowers and a holly wreath on the cross at the start of the service. You will want to ask your congregation to bring their own flowers to dress the cross for the response.
Music
Songs at the start:
- He has risen – Noel Richards
- Thine be the glory – Traditional
- O come let us adore him (chorus) – Traditional
Song in the middle:
- Led like a lamb to the slaughter – Grham Kendrick
Song at the end:
- From the squalor of a borrowed stable – Stuart Townsend
- In Christ alone – Stuart Townsend
Other songs you could consider:
- Glorious Day – Casting Crowns
- King of Kings – Hillsong
- Jesus Christ is risen today – traditional
- What a beautiful name – Hillsong
- Tell me the story of Jesus – Fanny Crosby
- See what a morning – Townsend and Getty
Activity
Prepare a game of pass the parcel with a treat in the middle that can be shared with the whole congregation. Between the layers, include the words of Isaiah 9:7, split into small sections. Be careful to insert the segments in order so that the passage comes together as the layers are unwrapped.
- For a child is born to us,
- a son is given to us.
- The government will rest on his shoulders.
- And he will be called:
- Wonderful Counsellor,
- Mighty God,
- Everlasting Father,
- Prince of Peace.
- The passionate commitment of the Lord will make this happen!
During the service, play a whole-church game of pass the parcel, and share both the reading and the contents of the final layer.
Readings
As well as the Isaiah passage uncovered through the Activity, read Luke 24:1-12, which tells how the women went to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty on the first Easter morning.
Talk
The talk discusses the link between Christmas, when love, joy, peace and hope were born, and Easter, when these things were fulfilled.
A full talk is available to download with thanks to Peter Vince.
Response
We had 3 different responses for this service.
- Invite people to come and “dress” the cross with flowers, leaving the holly wreath in the centre. You may either provide the flowers or tell people in advance to bring their own.
- Provide materials to make Easter cards. Invite people to take one away and deliver it to a friend or family member as they share God’s love.
- Have a prayer space available.