Here is what I am doing Easter Sunday:
- Welcome
- (interruption of three women in skit who went to the tomb and saw it was empty. they will come in and tell the story based on Mark 16)
- After they leave we sing and greet
- More singing
- Message
At the end of the message I have cross built and on stage (this is not new to you), but we have placed pieces of paper in bulletin for people to list things (from their past, present and future) to be nailed on the cross; i.e., past sins and need for healing and forgiveness; present troubles and future worries, (like my marriage when I get home, or no job or can't pay for the house, etc. or relationship with my kids, whatever.) Just joking on these, Sherry!
While they are thinking on these things, I have a 2 min 22 second video called the “Simple Complexity of Easter”. It is a man who takes all his hate and fears and problems and nails them to the cross. Then he buries them in the ground and then when these things are unburied, they are no longer hate or fears or problems; the resurrection of Christ transformed his fears into faith and hate into love and problems into hope. It is amazing.
My message is called "I believe". It is about Easter power. It is about asking Christ to do a long shot in your life with the same power that raised him from the dead, Romans 8:11.
Then after everyone has taken their cards to the front and have nailed them to the cross, before they go back to their seats they will pick up a candle. The candle will be lit similar to what we do on Christmas Eve. It is a sign of bringing light into our life through the power of Easter Resurrection.
Then we end the service with “Because He Lives” or something that keeps in the ‘I believe’ theme.
That is it! Okay, gotta run; talk to you soon.
Pastor Steve
7 comments:
I have prayed for your ministry today. Having been in the military myself and away from home, I remember how comforting it was to attend church services. Ally and I will spend Palm Sunday with the Robinsons in Sedona. We'll be back for Easter, though, and hope to get our neighbor, David, to attend. God Bless!
It sounds like your planed service will be powerful. I still have a nail that looks like a stake that has been in my wallet. I pray everything will go well.
Tech Julie
What a wonderful Easter service you have planned. I pray it leads many to Christ and confirms the faith of those already in the Book of Life.
I am looking forward to the great things you have in store for those of us here at home. God is sure working in your "stateside home" as well as your "home away from home" Have a safe and blessed week!
Great stuff P/Steve. God is doing amazing things. I hope your people there realize how blessed they are to have you. Stay safe. P/Chris
Thanks for sharing what your Easter service will be like! It sounds perfect! I pray God will bless you and those who will be there by His presence and power! May this Easter be the best ever --
we are praying for you!
He is Risen ... He is Risen Indeed! PK
Hey Steve,
I just found your blog and like your ideas for Easter! Way to go on the creativity.
I used to attend El Cajon Wesleyan (actually I was an intern in 1999). I'm now a pastor in Lansing, Michigan.
Later on,
Brandon
Hey Pastor Steve-
I loved reading about your plans for nailing your sins to the cross. It brought back alot of memories when we did this at ECWC-very powerful
God bless
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