Category Archives: Easter Sunday

Easter or Resurrection Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Easter B

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Day: Easter B

Lectionary Passage: Mark 16:1-8

Scripture Focus: Mark 16:5-7

Object: Real Easter Eggs (if you’re feeling less ambitious, plastic eggs will work)

Preparation: For this lesson, you will need to hallow egg shells and then fill the shells with strips of paper. To hallow eggs: (1) piercing a hole in each end of the egg, (2) reach through one hole with a needle to gently break up the yolk, (3) blowing air into one hole to force the egg contents to flow out the other end, (4) run cold water into the intact eggshell to clean, and finally (5) dry the shells in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. Once the eggs are ready, cover one hole using white tissue paper and a clear glue stick. Then, write phrases such as “Jesus loves you” and “Jesus died for you” and “Jesus lives” on 1/4-inch strips of paper and gently slide the rolled paper strips through the second hole. Finally, cover the second hole.

You know what, There are a lot of things that remind us of Easter.  There are flowers, chocolate bunnies, and pretty baskets. And there are eggs! Just like this one (hold up the egg for the kids to see). But, this isn’t an ordinary egg. This is a REAL (emphasize the word) Easter Egg. Let me show you why: (smash the egg in your hands or on the altar rail)

I bet you were expecting something else! But, this is a Real Easter Egg and inside are special messages about Easter (read the messages).

You see, Easter isn’t really about bunnies and baskets. It’s about Jesus. On Easter, the disciples went to the tomb and discovered that Jesus was alive! Jesus died a few days earlier but because God is more powerful than any of the bad stuff in the world, God raised Jesus from the dead. That’s the real message of Easter. As followers of Jesus, we need to remember to share the real message of Easter: Jesus is alive! And that’s very good news.

Let’s pray: God, we are so excited to celebrate that Jesus is alive! It proves that you are greater than any of the bad stuff in the world. Help us to always remember that Easter is about Jesus.

Easter Sunday A

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Day: Easter Sunday

Lectionary Passage: John 20:1-18

Scripture Focus: John 20:1-10

Object: Cascarone and a raw egg

Preparation: This lesson takes more prep time than most, but it’s worth it! You will need two eggs per worship service and two to practice with and a bowl. You need to make a cascarone, which is a hollow egg filled with confetti. First, you “blow out” raw eggs. This is done by (1) piercing a hole in each end of the egg, (2) reach through one hole with a needle to gently break up the yolk, (3) blow air into one hole to force the egg contents to flow out the other end, (4) run cold water into the intact eggshell to clean, and finally (5) dry the shells in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. Next, cover one hole using white tissue paper and a clear glue stick, gently pour confetti into the shell; then,  cover the second hole.

Special Thanks: I owe a special thanks to a wonderful children’s pastor in Little Rock who taught me how to make cascarones. Thank you Pam!

Today is Easter! It’s when we remember that Jesus is alive! But, you know, that whole thing came as a big surprise, even to Jesus’ closest friends. No one expected Jesus to live again.

It’s like this egg (show the raw egg). When I crack it (crack it in to the bowl) it’s full of yucky slimy stuff. It’s what we expect to find in an egg.

But what if I told you this egg here was different (show the confetti filled egg–be careful to hide the holes!). What if I told you it didn’t have that yucky slimy stuff inside? Would you believe me?

….Well, let’s find out! (quickly, crack the egg over the children or perhaps the senior pastor!) See, I was telling the truth. But it’s not what you expected.

The same thing happened to the disciples. Everyone was totally surprised that Jesus was alive. That had never happened before. It was totally unexpected. But, it was a wonderful surprise!

Jesus is alive! And on Easter we celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead and lives again. And that’s a pretty awesome thing.

Let’s pray: God thank you for sending Jesus who was willing to die for all the bad stuff we have done. But what an amazing thing that he lives again!!! Help us to remember that the real reason for Easter is to celebrate that Jesus is alive. Amen.