The Season
Easter is a 50-day season that begins on Easter Sunday, runs through Ascension Day (on the 40th day) and concludes with Pentecost Sunday (on the 50th day). While some churches now hold an Easter sunrise service, the Church throughout history has begun celebrating even earlier, since Christ rose sometime during the night (John 20:1). The Great Vigil of Easter, held between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise of Easter Sunday, was the climax of the entire Church Year, and a favorite time to administer baptism. Since Easter is the Christian Passover, it is also called “Pascha” or “Great and Holy Pascha.” It is a time to celebrate that Christ, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), is alive from the dead, has ascended to reign as Lord of all, and has poured out the Holy Spirit to empower the Church for mission.
For more information, see Easter: The Season of the Resurrection of Jesus (IVP, 2025) and Pentecost: A Day of Power for All People (IVP, 2023).
Color and Decorations
The color of Easter is white and sometimes gold (Revelation 1:14).
- White Communion Table Overlay — White Trinity Cross Overlay Cloth
- White banners — All Seasons Series Banner – Lamb of God
Red is used on Pentecost Sunday as a reminder of the Spirit’s fiery descent (Acts 2:3).
- Red Banners — Maltese Jacquard (red)
- Banner Poles — Banner Hanger Set 24″ 2 pk
- Red Communion Table Overlay — Trinity Cross (red)
- Red Pulpit Scarf — Maltese Jacquard (red)
- Read Lectern Bible Bookmark — Maltese Jacquard (red)
The Paschal Candle
While the Advent Candlestick has gained popularity in recent years, far more significant historically is the Paschal Candle, which is lit for the first time at the Easter Vigil and then lit every day of Easter through Pentecost. The Paschal Candle is also lit on special days throughout the church year, such as at baptisms, when the newly baptized draw their light from Christ.
Paschal candles feature a cross, the letters alpha (Α) and omega (Ω), and the year, as well as five nails (often covered in red wax) which are inserted into the candle to symbolize the five wounds of Christ (right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot, and side).
- Walnut Paschal Candlestick — with 2″ brass socket
- Paschal Candle — 2″ candle (note: some of the expense is that the candle is half beeswax, which burns longer and cleaner)
Worship Resources
- Sample Liturgies — the Service of the Word and Lord’s Supper adapted with readings, prayers, and songs for Advent
- Collects and Readings for Easter — prayers and Scripture readings (compare multiple lectionaries) for every Sunday in Easter
- Easter Hymns, Songs, and Metrical Psalms — see also our Spotify Easter Playlist (useful for prelude or musical inspiration)
Preaching
- Preach from one of the texts in the Lectionary.
- Preach on the resurrection of Christ, his Lordship, the new creation, new birth, justification, peace, the general resurrection, and other related themes.
- John Chrysostom, Paschal Homily.
- Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 45: On Holy Pascha.
- Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 1: On Pascha and on His Slowness.
- Gregory of Nazianzus, Festal Orations, Oration 41: On Pentecost.
Creeds and Confessions
- Apostles’ Creed — “On the third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.”
- Nicene Creed — “the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.”
Artwork (Resurrection)
- Icon of the Resurrection from Uncut Mountain Supply.
- Harrowing of Hades (Chora) Resurrection Icon from Legacy Icons.
- The Visual Commentary on Scripture, “Exhibition: The Ascension.”
Artwork (Ascension)
- Icon of the Ascension from Uncut Mountain Supply.
- “Painting the Ascension: Rembrandt.” Article from St Albert’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Edinburgh, that features several works of art on the ascension, and highlights Rembrandt’s approach.
Artwork (Pentecost)
- The Visual Commentary on Scripture, “Exhibition: Pentecost.”
Resources on the Resurrection
- [Book] Alister McGrath, Resurrection. 87 pages. Poetry, prayer, and theological reflection.
- [Book] N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope. 352 pages. Treats the resurrection as the beginning of new creation.
- [Book] N. T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God. 848 pages.
- [Book] Eugene Peterson, Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life (NavPress, 2006).
- Robert B. Stewart (ed.), The Resurrection of Jesus: John David Crossan and N.T. Wright in Dialogue (Fortress Press, 2006).
Resources on the Ascension
- “Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday” — podcast
- Larry Smith, “Celebrating Ascension Day.”
- Patrick Schreiner, The Ascension of Christ: Recovering a Neglected Doctrine (Lexham Press, 2020). 120 pages. We purchased these in bulk and passed them out to every family in our church on Easter to read in preparation for Ascension Day.
- William Burt Pope, Compendium of Christian Theology, 2nd edition, “The Ascension and Session.”
- Thomas Summers, Systematic Theology, 3.1.3, “The Ascension and Session of Christ.”
- Peter C. Orr, Exalted Above the Heavens: The Risen and Ascended Christ (IVP Academic, 2019). 252 pages.
Resources on Pentecost
- David Fry, “The Forgotten Holiday of Pentecost and How Churches Can Celebrate It.”
- Emilio Alvarez, Pentecost: A Day of Power for All People (IVP, 2023).
- Fred Sanders, The Holy Spirit: An Introduction (Crossway, 2023).
- BibleProject, Pentecost video.
