A Guide to Easter

This article is a work in progress and may be edited at any time.

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.

See also:

• “Resources for Celebrating Ascension Day“
• “Resources for Celebrating Pentecost and Ordinary Time“

Color and Decorations

The color of Easter is white and sometimes gold (Revelation 1:14). Red is used on Pentecost Sunday as a reminder of the Spirit’s fiery descent (Acts 2:3).

White overlay for communion table:

• White Trinity Cross Overlay Cloth (overlay only)

White banners:

• All Seasons Series Banner – Lamb of God

The Paschal Candle

Many are now familiar with the Advent Candlestick. Even more significant historically is the Paschal Candle, 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.

• 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)

Prayers and Readings

• Collects and Readings for Easter

Songs

• Recommended hymns, contemporary songs, gospel choruses, and metrical psalms coming soon
• “An Easter Playlist from Holy Joys”

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.

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

1. Icon of the Resurrection from Uncut Mountain Supply.
2. Harrowing of Hades (Chora) Resurrection Icon from Legacy Icons.

Articles and Books for Easter

1. [Book] Alister McGrath, Resurrection. 87 pages. Poetry, prayer, and theological reflection.
2. [Book] N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope. 352 pages. Treats the resurrection as the beginning of new creation.
3. [Book] N. T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God. 848 pages.
4. [Book] Eugene Peterson, Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life (NavPress, 2006).
5. Robert B. Stewart (ed.), The Resurrection of Jesus: John David Crossan and N.T. Wright in Dialogue (Fortress Press, 2006).
6. [Sermon] John Chrysostom, “The Paschal Homily.”
7. [Sermon] Gregory of Nazianzus, “Oration 45: On Holy Pascha.”
8. [Sermon] Gregory of Nazianzus, “Oration 1: On Pascha and on His Slowness.”