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This list of Eastertide resources—including art, music, drama, devotions, liturgies, books, and sermons for the "Great Fifty Days" from Easter Sunday to Pentecost—will help you plan worship to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
All the hopes of Christians are realized in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, making Easter the most celebrative day of the church year. Some traditions begin their Easter celebration with an Easter Vigil, using biblical readings to help worshipers see the powerful sweep of God’s actions throughout history and providing the entrance into Easter. Baptism of persons instructed in the faith often takes place as part of this vigil.
The Easter morning service is a time of joy, celebration, and renewal. In contrast to the somber starkness of Holy Week, on Easter the worship space should be bright and celebratory, including the liturgical colors white and gold. Music and songs reflect the full joy of the victorious Christian faith because of Christ’s resurrection.
Since the good news of Easter can hardly be contained in a single day’s celebration, Easter is the first of fifty days of Eastertide, the “Great Fifty Days” that lead to Pentecost. This season is designed for extended celebration, for exploring the ramifications of Easter for the redemption of all creation, and for joyful Christian living.
Find more in The Worship Sourcebook.
At Your Baptism, Carrie Steenwyk and John D. Witvliet (Eerdmans Publishing)
Water, Come Down! Walter Wangerin, Jr. (Augsburg Fortress)
Jubilee, Ellen Yeomans (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Browse resources related to Easter from our ministry partner, Center for Excellence in Preaching.
