Resources for Celebrating Easter

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

The Season

Easter is a 50-day season of celebration that begins on Easter Sunday, runs through Ascension Day (the 40th day) and ends with Pentecost (the 50th day). It is a time of feasting and celebration over Christ’s resurrection from the dead. See also:

• “Introduction to the Church’s Liturgical Calendar.” Article by Johnathan Arnold with a visual illustration of the church year.
• “Resources for Celebrating Ascension Day“
• “Resources for Celebrating Pentecost and Ordinary Time“

Color and Decorations

White is the color of Easter.

White overlay for communion table:

• White Trinity Cross Overlay Cloth (overlay only)

White banners:

• All Seasons Series Banner – Lamb of God

Prayers and Readings

For the traditional prayers and readings used during Easter, see “Collect Prayers and Readings for Each Sunday of the Church Year.” See also the Revised Common Lectionary for a first reading, Psalm reading, second reading, and Gospel reading for each Sunday of Easter.

Hymns

Recommended hymns include:

• Christ the Lord is Risen Today (251)
• This is My Father’s World (19)
• I Sing the Almighty Power of God (4)

Hymns numbers are from “Our Great Redeemer’s Praise: A Hymnal for All God’s People” (Seedbed, 2022). Check your church’s hymnal for “Easter” or “Resurrection” sections.

Music (e.g., for Prelude or Devotional Use)

• “An Easter Playlist from Holy Joys”

Preaching

• Preach from one of the texts in the Lectionary.
• Preach on new creation, new birth, justification, peace, the general resurrection, and other fitting 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.”