Easter Program Ideas For Church + Sermons | Tithe.ly

Given that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central tenet of Christianity, Easter Sunday is one of the most important and meaningful days of the year for Christians worldwide. On this day, believers gather and celebrate Christ rising from the dead, opening the way for humans to reconnect with God (1 Peter 1:3).

If you're looking for creative ideas for an upcoming Easter celebration, look no further. Here are Easter Sunday programs and sermon ideas that you can use to commemorate the hope and new life we all have in God.

Easter Program Ideas for Church

Unlike other events like Christmas or New Year's, Easter is a time for spiritual celebration and worship rather than feel-good festivities. Therefore, your Easter celebratory services and events should be reflective of the meaning of the holiday and how it applies to our lives today: "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God" (Romans 6:8 and 10).

Here are some Easter programs ideas for the church to celebrate this momentous occasion. In all these activities, the main goal should be to focus on the significance of Easter and what it means for our lives today. Doing so will help create a spiritually uplifting and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Have a Traditional Sunrise Service

Easter is about new beginnings, so what could be more inspirational than watching the sunrise? Gather the congregation early in the morning and head to a nearby park or open field. Once everyone has arrived, have someone read Scripture related to the resurrection as everyone enjoys the beauty of nature around them.

Put on an Interactive Easter Play

Kids always love a good play, and adults enjoy watching them just as much. Write a short skit or Easter-themed play, and put on a performance for your church family. You can even invite other local churches to join in on the fun creating an inclusive experience for all.

Have an Easter Egg Hunt

This classic activity is perfect for church members of all ages, creating an engaging event. The idea is to hide eggs around your church property and have the families find as many eggs as possible. You can make it even more fun by filling the eggs with candy, small toys, or gift cards.

Hold an Easter Cantata

Having an Easter cantata is another beautiful way to praise God and celebrate the resurrection. Invite your church's choir and all other musicians in the congregation to participate in an Easter-themed cantata, where they sing songs about Jesus’ resurrection and our new life in Him.

Share the Easter Story Through Contemporary Art

Have your church's artists create paintings, drawings, and sculptures depicting scenes from the Bible about Easter. These can be displayed around the church or in the homes of members of your congregation, where everybody can be reminded of what Jesus has done for us.

Easter Program Ideas for Small Churches

Just because your congregation is smaller doesn't mean there aren't any fun and accessible ideas to celebrate Easter Sunday. You just have to be a little resourceful! In fact, having fewer church members means you can get more creative with your activities, which can even create higher participatory engagement from your congregation. After all, God is present even if only two or three are gathered in His name (Matthew 18:20).

Here are five Easter program ideas for small churches that are sure to make a big impact. These programs are all designed for small churches, requiring fewer resources and people to pull off. Still, these activities can bring people closer to each other and God, building strong relationships within the smallest of church congregations.

Have a Potluck Breakfast

Start the day right by gathering for a delicious potluck breakfast. Make sure to have plenty of Easter-themed foods like eggs, ham, and hot cross buns. This is also an excellent opportunity for everyone to fellowship and get to know each other better.

Decorate Eggs Together

This is a fun activity for kids and adults alike. Get some hard-boiled eggs and let everyone decorate them however they like. You can even have a contest to see who can create the most innovative design!

Give out Easter Baskets

To complement the idea above, give out baskets filled with Easter-themed goodies after worship. You can include things like candy, chocolate bunnies, and other Easter-related devotional materials for families to go through when they get home.

Go on an Easter Hike

Take advantage of any scenic area near your church. Assuming that the congregation is on the active side, plan a hike for everyone to spend time climbing and bonding with each other. Ensure that you pack some snacks and water for the journey as well. Once you reach the top, take a few moments to reflect on the beauty of God's creation and give thanks for His many blessings.

Have an Easter Bonfire

Opt for an Easter bonfire if a hike isn't feasible. This is an excellent way to fellowship with church members and enjoy the outdoors simultaneously. Ensure that you provide enough food and chairs for everyone to get comfortable, and assign a few people to share their testimonies on how God has worked in their lives.

Sermons for Easter Sunday Worship

The miracle of Jesus' resurrection is at the heart of our faith, being a powerful reminder of God's love for us. As such, the Easter Sunday sermon should be centered on this life-changing event and its implications on our lives today. The goal is to encourage church members to testify to Jesus' resurrection and be a witness to God's loving grace and mercy (Acts 4:33).

Moreover, we suggest you use these ideas beyond Sunday worship sermons, integrating them in the kids' Sunday school lessons and interactive Bible studies with the youth.

Easter Sunday is a day to celebrate new life. It's a day to remember that no matter what happens in this world, we have hope in Christ. Use these ideas to make the most of your Easter celebration and remind your church family of our hope in God.

Here are some sermon ideas to consider for Easter Sunday worship:

Focus on the Hope of the Resurrection

When told of the news of Jesus' death, the disciples were devastated. But after hearing that He had risen from the dead, they were filled with hope and joy. You can do the same by reminding your congregation that we have hope in Christ no matter what happens in life.

Emphasize God's Love for Us

The greatest demonstration of love is when someone lays down their life for another. That's exactly what Christ did for us when He died on the cross. Use your Easter sermon to remind your church family just how much God loves them and wants to have a relationship with them.

Urge People to Put Their Faith in Christ

The resurrection of Jesus proves that He is who he said He was – the Son of God and our Savior. Use your Easter sermon to challenge unbelievers to put their faith in Christ and encourage believers to strengthen their faith and recommit their lives to God.

Talk About New Beginnings

Easter is a time of new beginnings for individuals and the church as a whole. Use your Easter sermon to talk about how we can start fresh with God and make the most of this new life in Christ – nobody is too damaged to be saved.

Focus on Joy

The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest news of all time. So much so that we have all the reason to celebrate and be filled with joy. Use your Easter sermon to remind your congregation that, even though this world may be full of sadness and sorrow, we have hope in Christ alone.

Overcome any Doubt in People’s Hearts

This sermon focuses on how Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead until he saw Him with his own eyes (John 20:24-29). It's a powerful reminder that we can overcome our doubts by trusting God.

Celebrating the Hope in Christ's Resurrection

We celebrate the hope that we have in Christ's resurrection. This miracle reminds us of God's love for us and gives us a reason to hold onto hope and joy, even in sadness and sorrow. As we reflect on what Christ has done for us, let us also remember to put our faith in Him, making the most of this new life we have in Christ.

As Scripture tells us, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). There's no better time than Easter Sunday to celebrate and commemorate this new life Christians have in the risen Christ, being a witness to God’s sovereignty and unfailing love for mankind.