Easter
Showing 101–134 of 134 results
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Cry From The Cross
$8.95Add to cartChristianity is a faith centered around an instrument of suffering and death — a cross. The hope of every believer is rooted in it. Over the centuries, the cross has become a universal symbol of both suffering and redemption.
On Good Friday, the cross takes center stage in our worship. Passages from the gospels retelling the agonizing tale of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and death are recited to the point where the words may become commonplace for some Christians. We may know the words, but have we explored their meaning?
A Cry from the Cross, a series of seven sermons, explores each of the last seven statements given by Jesus as recorded in the gospels of Mark, Luke, and John. As each statement is explored — statements like “Father, Forgive Them” or “Woman, Here Is Your Son” — Robert Cornwall offers deeper insights into the meaning and significance of the cross as it relates to the Christian faith.
This is a useful resource for pastors and lay ministers, one that can be used as an inspiration for Good Friday sermons, a Lenten study series, or simply a window to greater personal insight into that day on a hill outside Jerusalem so many years ago — a day that shaped the future of the entire world.
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Easter Services Sermons And Prayers
$14.99Add to cartProvides help in planning for Easter, which includes inviting the public, understanding those who will attend, including children in the services, and suggestions for using visuals.
Creative liturgies, sermon helps, and prayers for Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, and the 50 days of Easter -
True Story About The Sign Of Jonah
$21.99Add to cartThis book shows that the traditional view of Easter (Palm Sunday, Friday crucifixion, and Sunday morning resurrection) is not scriptural. To grasp what really happened to Jesus requires an understanding of the Hebrew calendar, derived from the book of Exodus. Jesus was crucified on the Preparation Day and was entombed during the Passover, on the spices and perfume Preparation Day and during the regular Jewish Sabbath. This is three days and three nights just as Jesus prophesied numerous times. The Easter festival was established with a Greek calendar much later and can never explain the sign of Jonah.
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True Story About The Sign Of Jonah
$13.49Add to cartThis book shows that the traditional view of Easter (Palm Sunday, Friday crucifixion, and Sunday morning resurrection) is not scriptural. To grasp what really happened to Jesus requires an understanding of the Hebrew calendar, derived from the book of Exodus. Jesus was crucified on the Preparation Day and was entombed during the Passover, on the spices and perfume Preparation Day and during the regular Jewish Sabbath. This is three days and three nights just as Jesus prophesied numerous times. The Easter festival was established with a Greek calendar much later and can never explain the sign of Jonah.
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Thank God Its Friday
$18.99Add to cartChrist’s seven last words from the cross have long been a source of reflection, challenge, and soul-searching. These simple phrases contain the full range of human emotions and divine self-revelation – grief, compassion, despair, forgiveness, physical need, the promise of redemption. Written with the clarity, depth, and insight that are Willimon’s trademark, this book offers readers a chance to encounter, in compelling new ways, the words that contain the core of the gospel.
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My Happy Easter Book
$5.00Add to cartThe Arch Book series tells popular Bible stories through fun-to-read rhymes and bright illustrations. This well-loved series captures the attention of children, telling scripturally sound stories that are enjoyable and easy to remember.
This book retells the story of Jesus’ burial through the encounter with Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Jesus after his resurrection (Matthew 27:5728:10). It is written at a Grade 3 reading level and is appropriate for children aged 5-9. -
Why Did Jesus Die
$8.95Add to cartWhat really motivated the main characters in the events surrounding Jesus’ death? Was Judas merely a pragmatic man dealing with the unpleasant realities of everyday life in an occupied land? Was Herod an honorable leader of the Hebrew people who was concerned with saving lives? Was Pontius Pilate a talented and efficient representative of Rome who was simply trying to keep the peace? Or did they all intentionally participate in the wrongful execution of an innocent man?
Written in an easy-to-present format, this fascinating drama series will have your congregation pondering how they would answer these and many other questions. Six biblical characters come to life in new and revealing ways as they take the witness stand in a contemporary grand jury inquiry into the meaning of Jesus’ death. While attempting to explain their thoughts and actions, Judas, Caiaphas, Herod, Pilate, Mary Magdalene, and Peter face intense questioning by a state’s attorney. The innovative grand jury approach makes audiences active participants in the drama, as they are challenged to determine the true significance of the crucifixion.
Why Did Jesus Die? is an enlightening six-part resource that’s perfect for weekly Lenten worship, but it can also be easily used as a single dramatic production. Several thought-provoking questions relating to each witness’s testimony are provided to spark follow-up discussion, and a closing argument by the state’s attorney summarizes the evidence pointing to Jesus’ innocence ? and our sinful guilt.
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Season Of Ash And Fire
$20.99Add to cartIn addition to prayers and liturgies for Ash Wednesday through Ascension Day, this book includes suggested themes and symbols for the Sundays of Lent, daily Scripture readings for Lent and the fifty Days of Easter, household prayers for Lent and Easter, and an order for Lenten study groups. A Selected Scripture Index is included. This book has been designed for ease of use in both thematic and lectionary-based worship services.
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At The Foot Of The Cross
$10.95Add to cartSeven figures who were at the foot of the cross (or might have been there) pour their hearts out to Jesus in these dramatic conversations. Judas opens the series, spiritually wrestling with himself at the cross before taking his own life, pondering what he had done to Jesus. Other characters include the Centurion, Simon of Cyrene, the disciples John and Peter, as well as Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus. An additional monologue for Easter sunrise worship dramatizes the angel at the empty tomb waiting for the women to arrive, reflecting on the week’s events.
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Prelude To Black Saturday
$7.95Add to cartThis liturgical drama provides a stark contrast to the joy and celebration of Easter morning. This service captures the reality of that Friday when our Lord was crucified. The cast includes people who were present on that final Friday – each sharing their emotions, from the sneering soldiers, to the heart-wrenching sobs and pleas of his mother, to Christ himself.
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Trials Of Christ
$7.95Add to cartThe Trials Of Christ is a readers’ theater presentation involving six people. It requires little rehearsal and no memorization.
The narrative is biblically based and provides a captivating message for Good Friday or Easter Sunday.
The Trials Of Christ attempts to demand a stand for truth from its audience, whether that stand be a theological position for Christ or a stand for truth in general. It challenges a congregation to consider the difficulty of taking a position that is totally unpopular or detrimental to the person taking that stand. The message helps direct listeners to live for eternal values.
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2 Good Friday Tenebrae Services
$9.95Add to cartThese services can be used by any number of participants, and include an order of service. Paradoxes Of The Passion examines the circumstances leading up to the crucifixion of an itinerant preacher from Galilee. What Shall I Do, Then, With Jesus Who Is Called Christ? brings us face to face with Pilate’s question that has echoed down the centuries.
Each of the Tenebrae services in this booklet can be used by any number of participants. An order of service for your bulletin preparations is also included.
Paradoxes Of The Passion brings to the worshiping congregation the circumstances leading up to the crucifixion of an itinerant preacher from Galilee who was no less than the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. The seven paradoxes are interspersed with hymns and prayers.
What Shall I Do, Then, With Jesus Who Is Called Christ? To Pilate’s surprise the crowd sought freedom for the murderer Barabbas rather than for Jesus. Pilate then asked the question that has echoed down the centuries to every man, woman, and child who has ever heard the Gospel: “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” In this thought-provoking Good Friday Tenebrae service, Douglas Meyer explores how various key characters in the Passion story answered that question. Then he considers how The person in the pew answers that question today.
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2 Tenebrae Readings And Services
$7.95Add to cartTwo Tenebrae Readings And Services provides pastors and congregations with dramatic ways to remember the Passion of the Lord.
Tenebrae I – 9 reading parts
Tenebrae II – 12 reading partsParts are simple enough for both young people and adults. They are creatively drawn from the Bible narratives and present realistic human responses from those who would be his disciples.
These resources require very little preparation. They were conducted in the author’s congregation by calling the readers together an hour before the service.
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Meditations For The Six Days Of Holy Week
$7.95Add to cartThese six meditations offer a time and a place, suggested scripture readings from the Gospel texts, and provocative meditations. Participants will experience and share the commitment of fellowship in the days leading up to the surprise and joy of Easter.
Suggested uses:
Men’s prayer breakfast
Women’s breakfast or luncheon during Holy Week
Youth meetingsEach day offers suggested scripture readings and a provocative meditation that enables the participant to experience the pathos of the days leading up to the surprise and joy of Easter.
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Speaking With Signs
$7.95Add to cartSpeaking With Signs is a unique series of six object lessons for children during the Lenten season … making worship more meaningful for them (and for adults). Each lesson brings them a story from scripture by focusing upon a symbol related to the Easter story. Lessons are based on texts from Matthew and John.
Objects include:
a lantern
a rope
a crown of thorns
dice and a robe
a stepladder and sponge
a spear
a picture of an empty tomb -
3 For The Third Day
$12.95Add to cartBrevity and flexibility are the strengths of this volume. Each of these three drama-based Sunrise services takes only about 30 minutes to perform. The maximum number of participants required is nine and the minimum is four. Ages of the participants can range from adults to older elementary children.
The first service is titled We Were There and features an all female cast. It is the story of the women who were waiting for the sunrise trip to the tomb. The second is titled A Night Of Memories. It has Mary, the mother of Jesus, remembering the life of her son. As she recalls highlights of his life, corresponding scenes from the past become visible. The third service is called The Dream. It is the story of two young friends — a believer and a non-believer. One appears in the other’s dream as an angel and leads him through the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Hymn, costume and scenery suggestions are included with each service. Scriptural references are also cited.
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Access To High Hope Cycle A
$15.95Add to cartHarry Huxhold’s excellent sermons build on the epistle texts from the lectionary to express and explain the meaning of the Lord’s passion and resurrection. His messages interpret the events of Jesus’ life in the light of God’s revelation to us through the scriptures. By sharpening our focus on the access we have to hope through the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, he helps readers find the true significance in the events of his earthly life. Harry Huxhold currently serves as pastoral associate at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Carmel Indiana.
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Tears Of Sadness Tears Of Gladness Cycle A
$13.95Add to cartAlbert Butzer believes that “sermons should speak to the real and immediate lives of the listeners and be grounded in the everyday events of their lives.” This collection of sermons for Lent and Easter based on gospel texts definitely achieved that goal: Butzer’s messages consistently and creatively deliver a ringing proclamation of the good news. They are outstanding examples of the homiletical art that bring together several elements of the classic sermon: biblical text, theological tradition, life of the world, life and experience of a particular congregation, and faith and experience of the preacher.
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Last Covenant
$7.95Add to cartThese two dramatic choral readings will place a permanent imprint on the conscience of all who speak and hear them. They won’t be heard as much as they will be felt. The pain and the anguish, the emptiness and hatred of that Friday long ago will fill the senses with such powerful rage that anyone in attendance will be transformed from passive bystanders to active participants in the quest for life as the glorious news of the risen Christ is known on Sunday.
Both choral readings involve five voices, which may be chosen from the congregation or can be performed as a choir litany. The combination of these voices will convey the strong emotions and images of the drama of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Both can be substituted for the sermon. No costumes or props are required.
With an order of worship, Easter Day’s reading includes congregational singing of nine hymns with the choral reading. The Last Covenant is a wonderfully effective way to involve the entire congregation in “”The Greatest Story Ever Told.””
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Kneeling In Jerusalem (Large Type)
$20.00Add to cartIn a powerful and creative way, renowned author and speaker Ann Weems brings new insights into the Lenten season by providing seventy-one poems of inspiration. With her intutive and heartening poems, Weems takes the reader on a pensive journey through Lent and Easter.
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This Is The King
$7.95Add to cartPilate: Are you the king of the Jews?
Jesus: Do you say this on your own or did others tell you this about me?
Narrator: Pilate was startled to hear the authority and depth of the man’s voice.
— from “This Is the King! “dramatic reading
“This Is the King!” is a complete resource for congregations wanting a special Palm/Passion Sunday celebration.
Worshipers will find:
– An order of service with a blessing of the palms
– Scriptures for the day
– A children’s sermon
– Hymn selections
– A dramatic reading
– A service of communion
The children’s sermon title is “Churning Up the Waves.” The dramatic reading, “This Is the King!” is offered in place of a sermon. It uses a narrator, Pilate, and Jesus. -
Vine And The Branches
$12.95Add to cartI am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. — John 15:5
Schmalenberger takes Easter season texts from Mark, Luke and John and weaves them into eight sermons with applications for today’s Christian. Sermons cover Easter through Ascension Of Our Lord.
In the chapter for Easter 5, the author speaks of Christ as the vine. He states that the vine and the branches’ relationship teaches us something of what our relationship to Christ is like. Whenever we forget that Christ is the heart of everything, everything goes crooked. This is true of preaching, teaching; family life, vocation — everything.
Sermon titles include:
* When Thomas Doubted
* One Flock, One Shepherd
* Chosen For Good News
* A Prayer For Disciples -
Joyful Noise
$7.95Add to cartOrgans, choirs, hand bells, trumpets — even a brass quartet — are all possibilities with this versatile service for Easter morning.
Appropriate for use as a sunrise service or regular Sunday worship, this celebration of Easter joy will leave you and your congregation exulting in the full meaning and significance of Christ’s triumph over death.
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Ashes And Tears
$12.95Add to cartAsh Wednesday and Holy Week are special days indeed on the Christian calendar. Pastors and worship leaders need to approach these days with special care so that their significance is not lost on the gathered congregation. How does one mark familiar days such as Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday in such a way that a deadening sameness does not overtake the planning and the execution of the worship services for these days?
James M. Bloom provides in this helpful resource eleven separate services or worship ideas. Liturgies and meditations are included. In most cases more than one worship alternative is provided.
Use this volume to enrich your observance of the special season of Lent. Share its ideas with others on your worship planning team. Help the members of your parish to experience a blessed Lent.
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Passion Paths : Worthip Services For Ash Wednesday And Holy Week
$12.95Add to cartHere are five creative worship services for five special days on the Christian worship calendar. Each service involves the congregation in responsive readings, participation in contemporary prayers, and appropriate hymnody, psalmody, and scripture. Each service is accompanied with a highly creative sermon dialog to be shared by 3, 4, 5, or 7 readers.
The service and dialogs lead worshipers down familiar and appropriate paths to confrontation with the Living Christ and the God of Grace, whom we meet in the Lenten season in a special way.
The Path of Maturity — Ash Wednesday
The Path of Quality — Palm Sunday
The Path of Integrity — Maundy Thursday
The Path of Dignity — Good Friday
The Path of Creativity — Easter Day -
He Is Risen Indeed
$7.95Add to cartEach of these sermon — length dramas celebrates the resurrection from an unusual perspective. Suitable for use at Easter Sunrise, Easter Festival worship, or on a series of Sundays during the Easter Season, Gurden Henley’s dramas involve 5-8 characters each.
Sunrise Surprise tells the traditional Easter morning story through the eyes and mouths of Mary Magdalene, John, Peter, and Jesus.
A Zealot’s Greatest Battle deals With the resurrection from the perspective of a Jewish freedom- fighter of Jesus’ generation who saw his hopes for freedom going down the drain on Good Friday.
When Old Nick Met Nicodemus tells the resurrection story from the perspective of contemporary American society. An unchurched outsider is profoundly moved by the rehearsal of an Easter drama and is caught in the story.
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Darkest Day
$7.95Add to cartThe centerpiece of this Good Friday worship service is the monologue, The Ghost of Judas. Designed to be presented by the pastor or any lay-person who can speak with a sense of drama, the monologue places Judas Iscariot at center stage on the day Christ died. His reflections on his own behavior, his remorse, and his deep sense of regret and self-examination lead the worshiping congregation to search their own souls, an appropriate activity on this most profound of all Christian days.
The monologue is sermon length. If not available in local hymnals, suggested hymns may be replaced by others more appropriate.
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Power Of Darkness Series C
$14.95Add to cartThis preaching resource for Lent and Easter, Cycle C, provides model sermons based on nine texts from Luke and nine from John. In addition to the Sundays in these liturgical seasons, messages are also provided for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Ascension Day (or Ascension Sunday). Included in these pericopes are familiar texts including Jesus’ wilderness temptation; the lament over Jerusalem; parables of the unproductive fig tree, the lost son, and the rebellious stewards; Luke’s narratives of the Passion of Our Lord, the Upper Room, and Jesus’ Ascension; John’s Resurrection account; Thomas’ shaky faith; and Jesus’ prayer of Christian unity.
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Hear The Good News
$7.95Add to cartHear the Good News is a fine volume of worship services for this important week within the church year. The services are particularly significant because they are based on the premise that God’s word, scripture, is dynamic and lively. Therefore, the author has provided dramatic readings of the narratives as found in the synoptic gospels. In addition, other portions of scripture are used as antiphonal hymns and liturgies. Brief introductions to the scripture passages are presented, either for oral sharing or for use in the bulletin; the congregation is also given opportunity to participate in the proclamation of the scripture texts. This is a creative and prayerful worship series for Holy Week.
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New Covenants Power
$7.95Add to cartThe New Covenant’s Power presents worship services and other resources for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunrise. Maundy Thursday – “Christ’s Power for New Community” – focuses on the Lord’s Supper and the command to love one another; Good Friday “Christ’s Power for New Covenant Compassion” – emphasizes the actual events of the crucifixion; Easter Sunrise – “Christ’s Power for New Celebration” – rejoices in Christ’s triumph over sin and death. Each of these powerful themes is carried out through the use of symbols, hymns, scripture, and communal prayers. This little volume will give liturgy planners and ministers all the tools they need for Holy Week worship services that are unified in structure, in theme, and in sensitivity to the events being commemorated and celebrated.
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Reflections On The Crucifixion
$7.95Add to cartReflections On The Crucifixion is a Service of Tenebrae, written for either one hour or three hours, reflecting the thoughts and feelings of Jesus’ disciples on that original Good Friday.
Reflections On The Crucifixion is taken from Dr. Orso’s successful book, As We Love and Forgive. The tenebrae provides a lot of congregational participation and is a moving worship experience for every congregation.
