Communication is a wonderful gift, isn’t it? The ability to speak, write, and dialogue to share ideas, influence, and problem solve bridges solitary gaps and connects us to one another. Inflection and tone emphasize spoken word and punctuation does the same for written communication. And while most would never speak to a baby the same as you would with an adult, so it is true for addressing the church on Easter Sunday. It’s actually quite complex when you ponder exactly how to communicate differently on Easter. You want to welcome visitors and those new to your church, while nurturing current congregants.
Easter guests aren’t all the same, so don’t treat them the same. Give them all your best, which means thinking about and planning for them ahead of time. You are sharing the story of the Gospel and most of us in America are familiar with or have heard some of this message before. This isn’t just historical or logical…it’s personal. Underscore the why of the Good News and people will connect better. Some Easter communication ideas for church service messages include:
Why love?
Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:35
How do you make a church Easter special? Speak about God’s love for us that willingly went to the cross — and survives beyond it. It’s overwhelming and never ending. We didn’t do anything to deserve it, and there’s no way we could earn it. It’s really about the essence of God. Talk on a level that creates understanding for everyone. Christianity.com articulates it this way:
See, Christ’s love for you has very little to do with you and everything to do with Him. His is not simply some cosmic feeling of kindness, but an eternal truth about who He is and who you are as you are His. Likewise, God’s eternal truth about you is not simply an emotionless fact but is an eternal passion based on who He is and what He’s doing with you as His.
Put simply, God loves because He alone knows — and rejoices in — the full truth about Himself and what He’s doing in us. He loves us not because he must choose to do so or because he feels obligated to constantly manufacture an emotion akin to compassion. He loves us because that’s the truth of who He is — our joyful, eternal truth.
Why pray?
“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7
Prayer is a conversation with God and the way to develop a personal, meaningful relationship with the God of the universe who loves you. Prayer shouldn’t be an afterthought, it’s a privilege to be able to speak to Him. When you desire a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God, you nurture it through prayer. Say the corporate prayers if that resonates with you, the main thing is that you mean what you say. God knows the inner workings of our hearts, and nothing is hidden from Him. Remember, He made us and loves us, and wants to have a relationship with us.
Easter ideas for church service prayers might include this one which summarizes the Salvation message and our acknowledgement of being a disciple:
Merciful God, today I begin by thanking you for your amazing grace, for coming in Christ to save the world, including me. Thank you, Lord, for the way your grace has filled, shaped, and guided my life. Thank you for the privilege of living in your grace each day.
May I seek to obey you in all that I do, Lord, not in order to earn your favor, but so that I might respond appropriately to your favor already given to me. As I receive your mercies, which are new every morning, may they motivate me to offer myself to you, all that I am, all that I do. May my obedience to you be an act of thanksgiving, a demonstration of my love for you. All praise be to you, O God, because you have rescued me from sin and death and because your grace fills my life each day. Amen.
Why assemble?
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” – Acts 2:42
The Lord wants us to gather together and worship Him as a congregation. Ever since Jesus’ resurrection, the body of believers started to meet together. If a disciple is a follower, he or she needs something to follow. For Christians, that means Christ. Within the walls of the church we should be educating, motivating, and empowering people to take their next steps. By the comparison of Scripture we can let the Word of God show us the model of ideal behavior. We also gain insights from others whose lives have experienced transformation through encountering Christ.
Craig Groeschel shared, “There is something better. To worship God together and be committed to worship Him together, to hear His Word together. Do not reduce Church to listening to a podcast. It’s so much more than that. It’s community. Wworshiping with others, praying for others, hurting with others, serving others, being involved in the lives of others.”
Conclusion
God’s infinite love for mankind is the true message of Easter, a love that will continue into eternity. Easter Sunday celebrates the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The events that occurred approximately 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem permanently changed the world. Every time we write a date, we are using the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the focal point. Lives are continually being changed and empowered through the retelling of the Gospel story: Christ defeated the enemy, atoned for our sins, and opened the door for us to talk personally to God. The story that should not leave us personally unchanged.
As the Vice President of Marketing for ACS Technologies, John is responsible for Marketing’s overall corporate strategy and direction. Storyteller, promoter, and problem solver to churches of all sizes and shapes. John has traveled the world working with prominent non-profit ministries. He also serves on the board of directors for Dayspring International.
