I remember growing up how Easter Sunday was. It seemed like for that Sunday the church went all out. We had an orchestra, dancers, and big choir anthems. We had a lot of things that only happened on that Sunday. And then the next Sunday was back to “normal.” I have begun to wonder if that is a good thing or not. Is going all out and putting such an emphasis on Easter Sunday theatrics helpful or hurtful for those that come back the next week?
This year in our contemporary service we are not doing any big band numbers. Our stage will not be decorated that much differently than it is normally. Our band and vocals will be the same band and vocals that we have every week. Our worship songs will be ones focused on the resurrection, but the same ones the congregation has been learning and worshiping with for a while. And since we do communion on the 3rd Sunday of every month we are even keeping that the same. Communion on Easter?
So is this a bad thing? Does your church go all out for Easter? Why or Why not?
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Russell,
I completely agree with sticking to a “normal” feel for Easter. I grew up with Easter being a big deal at church and it always seemed that the Sunday after was always a let-down – usually because Easter was such a big deal that all the preparations usually burned out those who were working on it and they all wanted to take the following weekend off, leaving a less than normal crew for the following week. If there were any first-time guests who came back the Sunday after Easter, they were treated to a bare-bones crew. I’ve got nothing against celebrations in the church – Easter is supposed to be a big deal – but I like to work in “special” stuff throughout the rest of the year. Why pull out all the stops just one or two Sunday’s a year?
Definitely.. actually what we have talked about is making a huge effort in welcoming. That’s where more of our emphasis is going to be.
I think pulling out all the stops for Easter caters to the people who only come on Easter. They decide to come that day and get their entertainment bug scratched and leave away with an emotionally moving experience for having been in church on Easter Sunday. Since the church began meeting on Sundays to commemorate the resurrection, in many respects, every Sunday is Easter Sunday. So why not we “do all things as unto the Lord” every Sunday of the year?