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Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter!

Drama

Maundy Thursday - C
Pamela Urfer
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
excerpted from SUNDAY MORNING READERS' THEATER :
Good Friday - C
Pamela Urfer
John 19:1-30
excerpted from SUNDAY MORNING READERS' THEATER :
Easter Day - C
Pamela Urfer
John 20:1-18
excerpted from SUNDAY MORNING READERS' THEATER :

Prayer

Maundy Thursday - C
Dennis Koch
Luke 22:7-20
excerpted from Contemporary Lectionary Prayers : Based Upon Cycle C Lectionary Gospels
Good Friday - C
Dennis Koch
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Contemporary Lectionary Prayers : Based Upon Cycle C Lectionary Gospels
Easter Day - C
Dennis Koch
John 20:1-18
excerpted from Contemporary Lectionary Prayers : Based Upon Cycle C Lectionary Gospels
Easter Day - C
B. David Hostetter
Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:14-24, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18
excerpted from Psalms And Prayers For Congregational Participation :

Preaching

Maundy Thursday - C
E. Carver Mcgriff
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook: Series VI, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
James Evans
Stan Purdum
Carlos Wilton
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
excerpted from Hear My Voice: Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Maundy Thursday - C
Carlos Wilton
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook : Series VII, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook : Series VII Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Elizabeth Achtemeier
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
excerpted from Preaching and Reading the Old Testament Lessons: : With an Eye to the New
Maundy Thursday - C
George M. Bass
Exodus 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Mark 14:12-26
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook : Series III, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
E. Carver Mcgriff
Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook: Series VI, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Stan Purdum
Psalm 22
excerpted from Hear My Voice: Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Good Friday - C
Carlos Wilton
Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook : Series VII, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook : Series VII Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Elizabeth Achtemeier
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
excerpted from Preaching and Reading the Old Testament Lessons: : With an Eye to the New
Good Friday - C
George M. Bass
Luke 23:1-49
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook : Series III, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
E. Carver Mcgriff
Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook: Series VI, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
James Evans
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
excerpted from Hear My Voice: Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Easter Day - C
Carlos Wilton
Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook : Series VII, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook : Series VII Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Elizabeth Achtemeier
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from Preaching and Reading the Old Testament Lessons: : With an Eye to the New
Easter Day - C
Perry H. Biddle, Jr.
Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook, SERIES II : for use with Common, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic Lectionaries
Easter Day - C
George M. Bass
Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18
excerpted from Lectionary Preaching Workbook : Series III, Cycle C

Sermon

Maundy Thursday - C
Bonnie Bates
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
excerpted from Living In Hope: Cycle C Sermons for Lent and Easter Based on the Second Lessons
Maundy Thursday - C
Wayne Brouwer
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from From Upside Down To Rightside Up: Cycle C Sermons for Lent and Easter Based on the Gospel Lessons
Maundy Thursday - C
Frank Ramirez
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Sermons on the Gospel Readings : Series III, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Steven E. Albertin
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
excerpted from Sermons on the Second Readings : Series III, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
David Kalas
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
excerpted from Sermons on the First Readings : Series III, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Henry F. Woodruff
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
excerpted from Hope For The Weary Heart : Second Lesson Sermons For Lent/Easter Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
John N. Brittain
John 13:1-15
excerpted from Living Vertically : Gospel Sermons For Lent/Easter Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
excerpted from Deformed, Disfigured, And Despised : First Lesson Sermons For Lent/Easter Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Barbara Brokhoff
Jeremiah 31:31-34
excerpted from A 'NEW AND IMPROVED' JESUS?: Sermons For Lent And Easter
Maundy Thursday - C
John M. Braaten
John 13:1-15
excerpted from THE GREATEST WONDER OF ALL : Sermons for Lent and Easter
Maundy Thursday - C
Carl L. Jech
Luke 22:7-20, John 13:1-15
excerpted from CHANNELING GRACE : SERMONS FOR LENT AND EASTER
Maundy Thursday - C
John R. Brokhoff
Luke 22:7-20, 24-27
excerpted from Cross Purposes: Sermons for Lent and Holy Week
Maundy Thursday - C
Durwood L. Buchheim
Luke 22:7-20
excerpted from THE POWER OF DARKNESS : SERMONS FOR LENT AND EASTER (SUNDAYS IN ORDINARY TIME)
Good Friday - C
Bonnie Bates
Hebrews 10:16-25
excerpted from Living In Hope: Cycle C Sermons for Lent and Easter Based on the Second Lessons
Good Friday - C
Wayne Brouwer
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from From Upside Down To Rightside Up: Cycle C Sermons for Lent and Easter Based on the Gospel Lessons
Good Friday - C
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
excerpted from Sermons on the First Readings : Series II, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Hebrews 10:16-25
excerpted from Sermons on the Second Readings : Series II, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Donald Charles Lacy
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Sermons on the Gospel Readings : Series II, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Frank Ramirez
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Sermons on the Gospel Readings : Series III, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Steven E. Albertin
Hebrews 10:16-25
excerpted from Sermons on the Second Readings : Series III, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
David Kalas
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
excerpted from Sermons on the First Readings : Series III, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Henry F. Woodruff
Hebrews 10:16-25
excerpted from Hope For The Weary Heart : Second Lesson Sermons For Lent/Easter Cycle C
Good Friday - C
John N. Brittain
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Living Vertically : Gospel Sermons For Lent/Easter Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
excerpted from Deformed, Disfigured, And Despised : First Lesson Sermons For Lent/Easter Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Dallas A. Brauninger
Hebrews 10:16-25
excerpted from Sermons On The Second Readings : Series I, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Frank G. Honeycutt
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Sermons On The Gospel Readings : Series I, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Barbara Brokhoff
Isaiah 52:13-53:1-12
excerpted from A 'NEW AND IMPROVED' JESUS?: Sermons For Lent And Easter
Good Friday - C
John M. Braaten
John 19:l6b-22
excerpted from THE GREATEST WONDER OF ALL : Sermons for Lent and Easter
Good Friday - C
Charles D. Reeb
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
excerpted from Sermons On The First Readings : Series I, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
John R. Brokhoff
John 19:17-18
excerpted from Cross Purposes: Sermons for Lent and Holy Week
Good Friday - C
Durwood L. Buchheim
John 19:17-30
excerpted from THE POWER OF DARKNESS : SERMONS FOR LENT AND EASTER (SUNDAYS IN ORDINARY TIME)
Easter Day - C
Bonnie Bates
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Living In Hope: Cycle C Sermons for Lent and Easter Based on the Second Lessons
Easter Day - C
Wayne Brouwer
John 20:1-18
excerpted from From Upside Down To Rightside Up: Cycle C Sermons for Lent and Easter Based on the Gospel Lessons
Easter Day - C
Gregory L. Tolle
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Experiencing Easter: The Lenten Journey of Death to Life
Easter Day - C
Frank Ramirez
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from Sermons on the First Readings : Series II, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Sermons on the Second Readings : Series II, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Donald Charles Lacy
John 20:1-18
excerpted from Sermons on the Gospel Readings : Series II, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Frank Ramirez
John 20:1-18
excerpted from Sermons on the Gospel Readings : Series III, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Steven E. Albertin
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Sermons on the Second Readings : Series III, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
David Kalas
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from Sermons on the First Readings : Series III, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Henry F. Woodruff
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Hope For The Weary Heart : Second Lesson Sermons For Lent/Easter Cycle C
Easter Day - C
John N. Brittain
John 20:1-18
excerpted from Living Vertically : Gospel Sermons For Lent/Easter Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from Deformed, Disfigured, And Despised : First Lesson Sermons For Lent/Easter Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Dallas A. Brauninger
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Sermons On The Second Readings : Series I, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Frank G. Honeycutt
Luke 24:1-12
excerpted from Sermons On The Gospel Readings : Series I, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Barbara Brokhoff
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from A 'NEW AND IMPROVED' JESUS?: Sermons For Lent And Easter
Easter Day - C
John M. Braaten
John 20:1-18
excerpted from THE GREATEST WONDER OF ALL : Sermons for Lent and Easter
Easter Day - C
Richard Carl Hoefler
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from Mysterious Joy : Sermons for Lent and Easter
Easter Day - C
Charles D. Reeb
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from Sermons On The First Readings : Series I, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Durwood L. Buchheim
John 20:1-18
excerpted from THE POWER OF DARKNESS : SERMONS FOR LENT AND EASTER (SUNDAYS IN ORDINARY TIME)

Stories

Maundy Thursday - C
Gregory L. Tolle
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit: Series V, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
David E. Leininger
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit : Series VI, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Constance Berg
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit : Series III, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
John E. Sumwalt
Lisa Lancaster
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Sharing Visions : Divine Revelations, Angels, And Holy Coincidences
Maundy Thursday - C
Timothy F. Merrill
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
excerpted from Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit : Series IV Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Gregory L. Tolle
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
excerpted from Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit: Series V, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
David E. Leininger
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit : Series VI, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Constance Berg
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit : Series III, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
John E. Sumwalt
Aba Gayle
Luke 23:32-49
excerpted from Sharing Visions : Divine Revelations, Angels, And Holy Coincidences
Good Friday - C
Timothy F. Merrill
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit : Series IV Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Gregory L. Tolle
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit: Series V, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
David E. Leininger
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit : Series VI, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Constance Berg
John 20:1-18, Luke 24:1-12
excerpted from Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit : Series III, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
John Steward
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit : Series II, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Richard A. Jensen
Luke 24:1-12
excerpted from Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit : 57 Stories For Cycle C
Easter Day - C
John E. Sumwalt
Theonia Amenda
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from Sharing Visions : Divine Revelations, Angels, And Holy Coincidences
Easter Day - C
Timothy F. Merrill
Luke 24:1-12
excerpted from Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit : Series IV Cycle C

Worship

Maundy Thursday - C
Frank Ramirez
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids: Series VII, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Frank Ramirez
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids: Series VII, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Frank Ramirez
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids: Series VII, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Julia Ross Strope
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Workbook, Series IV, Cycle C : Soul Motion
Maundy Thursday - C
Wayne H. Keller
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Workbook : Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Maundy Thursday - C
Dallas A. Brauninger
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids : Series V, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
James R. Wilson
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids : Cycle C, Series IV
Maundy Thursday - C
H. Burnham Kirkland
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids : Series VI, Cycle C
Maundy Thursday - C
Hugh H. Drennan
Psalm 116:12-19
excerpted from Aids To The Psalms :
Maundy Thursday - C
Heth H. Corl
Jeremiah 31:31-34
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids -- Series C :
Good Friday - C
Frank Ramirez
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids: Series VII, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Frank Ramirez
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids: Series VII, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids: Series VII, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Julia Ross Strope
Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Workbook, Series IV, Cycle C : Soul Motion
Good Friday - C
Wayne H. Keller
John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Workbook : Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Good Friday - C
Dallas A. Brauninger
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids : Series V, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
James R. Wilson
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids : Cycle C, Series IV
Good Friday - C
H. Burnham Kirkland
Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids : Series VI, Cycle C
Good Friday - C
Hugh H. Drennan
Psalm 22:1-18
excerpted from Aids To The Psalms :
Good Friday - C
Heth H. Corl
Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids -- Series C :
Easter Day - C
Frank Ramirez
John 20:1-18
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids: Series VII, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Frank Ramirez
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids: Series VII, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Frank Ramirez
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids: Series VII, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Julia Ross Strope
Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Workbook, Series IV, Cycle C : Soul Motion
Easter Day - C
Wayne H. Keller
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Workbook : Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Easter Day - C
Wayne H. Keller
Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Workbook : Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Easter Day - C
Dallas A. Brauninger
Isaiah 65:17-25
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids : Series V, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
James R. Wilson
Acts 10:34-43
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids : Cycle C, Series IV
Easter Day - C
H. Burnham Kirkland
Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids : Series VI, Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Hugh H. Drennan
Psalm 118:14-24
excerpted from Aids To The Psalms :
Easter Day - C
Heth H. Corl
Exodus 15:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18
excerpted from Lectionary Worship Aids -- Series C :

Devotional

Easter Day - C
Stephen P. McCutchan
John 20:1-18
excerpted from Water From the Rock : Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Stephen P. McCutchan
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
excerpted from Water From the Rock : Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Stephen P. McCutchan
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
excerpted from Water From the Rock : Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C
Easter Day - C
Stephen P. McCutchan
Isaiah 65:17-25
excerpted from Water From the Rock : Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C

Related to 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

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Related to 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

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Related to Acts 10:34-43

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Related to Exodus 12:1-14

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Related to Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14

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Related to Hebrews 10:16-25

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Related to Isaiah 65:17-25

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Related to Isaiah 52:13--53:12

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Related to John 13:1-17, 31b-35

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Related to John 20:1-18

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Related to Luke 24:1-12

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Related to Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

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Related to Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

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Related to Psalm 22

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Maundy Thursday
15 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
11 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Good Friday
20 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter!
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
For April 20, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A bowl and a towel.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent

Have you ever gotten in trouble for not doing what you were supposed to do? (Let them respond.) Maybe it was something you were supposed to do at home, or maybe it was something you were supposed to do for someone else. Well, our story today is about the time Jesus’ friends didn’t do what Jesus told them they were supposed to do.
John Jamison
Activity: The Easter Game. See the note. 
John Jamison
Object: A box of Kleenex?

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

Today is the day we call Good Friday, and it is the day that Jesus died. What happened on Good Friday is the story I want to tell you about. It is a short story, but it is also a very sad story. (Show the Kleenex.) It is so sad that I brought a box of Kleenex with me in case we need it. Let’s hear our story together.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Acts 10:34-43
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 65:17-25
The vision of Isaiah, the new heaven and new earth, a world we cannot begin to imagine, moves us from the sorrow of Good Friday and the waiting of Saturday, into the joy of the resurrection. Isaiah proclaims from God, “no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it or the cry of distress.” What a moment, what a time that will be. What hope there is in this prophecy? God’s promises are laid out before us. God’s promises are proclaimed to us.
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
It’s unclear whether the original prophet is speaking about his own sufferings as a prophet bringing an unwanted word to people who want to believe all is well (and which could have led to severe physical punishment on the part of the authorities), or to the nation as the suffering servant who have suffered under the lash of a foreign oppressor, much as God’s people suffered under the Egyptians. These are legitimate interpretations, and perhaps there’s a bit of truth in all viewpoints.
Wayne Brouwer
When Canadian missionaries Don and Carol Richardson entered the world of the Sawi people in Irian Jaya in 1962, they were aware that culture shock awaited them. But the full impact of the tensions they faced didn’t become apparent until one challenging day.
David Kalas
What do you do on the night before God saves you? 

The children of Israel had been languishing in hopeless bondage for centuries. How many of them had lived and died under the taskmaster’s whip? How many of them had cried out to the Lord for help without seeing their prayers answered?  And so, as surely as their bodies were weighed down under the weight of their physical burdens, their spirits must also have been weighed down under years of bondage and despair.
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
It is perhaps not widely known, but the Community Blood Center has a website that contains stories of blood recipients.  I spent some time on that website as I thought about this passage. One of the stories that struck me was Kristen’s. Kristen’s time of need came during the birth of her first child. After a smooth pregnancy, she experienced serious problems during delivery, which led to a massive hemorrhage. She needed transfusions immediately, and ended up receiving 28 units of platelets, plasma, and whole blood.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. (v. 14)

Mary weeps as she comes to the tomb that first Easter morning. She weeps because her dearest friend is dead. When this friend comes up behind her she turns around and sees him, but she doesn't really see him. Do you know what I mean?

Mary thought Jesus was the gardener. She implores him, "Sir, if you have taken him away tell me where you have laid him…"  She sees him but she doesn't see him.
Peter Andrew Smith
I’m sorry but I have some bad news. John heard the words of the doctor again as he sat in the pew waiting for the service to start on Good Friday. He was at church because he was a regular and he hoped, he prayed that he could escape the rising fear and dread that had come from the medical appointment yesterday. The doctor had been sure there was no problem when John had told him the symptoms he was experiencing a couple of weeks ago. The doctor even told him to just ignore them as they were a sign of getting older.
John E. Sumwalt
In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ (v. 25)

I was seven years old, the same age as my grandson, Leonard, when I asked the big communion question in the barn while helping Dad, the first Leonard Sumwalt, milk cows in 1958.

SermonStudio

Bonnie Bates
All my life I have struggled with the concept of calling this day of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion as “good.” What could possibly be good about Jesus being arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified? How can we call this feast day “good”?
Wayne Brouwer
When I was a pastor in rural southern Alberta, we held our Easter Sunrise worship services in a cemetery. It was difficult to gather in the dark, since neither mountains nor forests hid the spring-time sun, and the high desert plains lay open to almost ceaselessly unclouded skies. Still, we mumbled in hushed whispers as we acknowledged one another, and saved our booming tones for the final rousing chorus of “Up from the grave he arose…!” We did not shake the earth as much as we hoped.
Dennis Koch
Gospel Theme:

Different paces and paths to resurrection faith

Gospel Note:
John here obviously mingles at least two Easter morning traditions, the one featuring Mary Magdalene and the other starring Peter and the beloved disciple. The overall effect, however, is to show three different paths and paces to resurrection faith: the unnamed disciple rushes to the empty tomb and comes to faith simply upon viewing it; Mary slowly but finally recognizes the risen Christ and believes; Peter, however, simply goes home, perhaps to await further evidence.
Pamela Urfer
Cast: Two Roman soldiers, FLAVIUS and LUCIUS, and an ANGEL

Length:
15 minutes

FLAVIUS and LUCIUS are seated on their stools, center stage.

FLAVIUS: (Complaining) What was all the hurry about for this burial? I don't understand why we had to rush.

LUCIUS:
(Distracted but agreeable) Hmmmm.

FLAVIUS: I don't know why I even ask. It's so typical of the military: Hurry up and wait.

LUCIUS:
True.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The liturgy can start with a procession in which a child carries the Easter candle from the West end of the church to the altar at the East end, stopping at intervals to raise the candle high and cry, "Christ our Light". The people respond with "Alleluia!" All the candles in church are then lit from the Easter candle.

Call to worship:

The Lord is risen, he is risen indeed! Let us rejoice and be glad in him!

Invitation to confession:

Jesus, we turn to you.

Lord, have mercy.

Special Occasion

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