It’s OKAY, last minute HAPPENS and for that reason, we’ve got you covered! Here are a few resources to help you put together services, activities and events for Holy Week and Easter.

Zeteo: Preaching + Worship

Zeteo is a resource for preachers, worship planners, and others who study the Bible. Their mission is to provide access to a thought-provoking mosaic of content from over 100 online resources through a search engine and to let your wisdom and creativity do the rest.

With over 1297 resources available, it’s impossible to highlight all of them, but here are a few creative ideas:

• Easter with the Senses - this Holy Week resource ecourages exploration of the Easter story through activities engaging all five senses. Download it here.

• Impressions on Our Hearts - How the music of Holy Week gives us a voice to respond to God’s love in sending the Son by the power of the Spirit to reconcile all of creation. Download it here.

  A Geek’s Guide to Holy Week - Reimagining Holy Week with a Geek Culture twist, exploring the themes of hope, peace, joy and love thorugh the lens of popular narratives. Read it here.

• Why Holy Week? - Emphasizing that Holy Week is not merely a moment in history. Rather, “it is the center of Christian identity, articulating hat a Christian life looks like beyond Easter Sunday. Read it Here.

• Coming to the City Nearest You - Carol Penner’s poem imagines the events of Jesus’ journey to the cross (Matthew 21:6-14, 26:26-29. 36-46, Mark 15:16; John 2:1-12, 4:1-45, 5:2-9, 13:1-15) as happening in our own contexts, in “the city nearest you”. Read the Poem Here.

Reformed Worship

Reformed Worship is a collection of resources available through social media, monthly enewsletters, a website, and a growing digital library, all based on a quarterly print magazine that provides practical help and support to worship planners. It has a global and ecumenical audience and welcomes articles and resources from a variety of contexts.

There’s some good ideas in Reformed Worship - even if you don’t have a subscription - to consider.

Plan An Easter Vigil

In a couple of different settings I’ve been in recently, people have talked about the very meaningful experience they have had attending Easter Saturday Vigil services often offered by Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican traditions.

Perhaps you’d like to consider this as a part of your own experience of Holy Week this year. Alternatively, for next week or next year, perhaps consider planning your own in your ministry context. Here are couple of resources that might help you plan it.

• Reformed Worship Easter Vigil - Resurrecting a Service from the Early Church - Read it Here

• Presbyterian Mission (PC USA) Intergeneration Easter Vigil - Read it Here

Ideas from Across the Presbyterian Church in Canada

One of the members of our Ministry Forum community, sent us a compilation of “Good News”(Best Ideas) from congregations in the Atlantic Synod from a while ago. There are ideas for all sort of ministry contexts and season, but here are a few for Easter (submissions have been edited for length and clarity, please read the full document here)

Maundy Thursday Service and Meal

St. Andrew’s and First Presbyterian Churches in Pictou, NS, led by Rev. Shelly Chandler, transformed the traditional worship service into a powerful communal experience. This event can serve as a blueprint for other congregations seeking to deepen community ties and an opportunity to grow deeper in relationship with Christ.

Overview:

• Joint Worship and Fellowship: Considering inviting other churches from within the denomination or outside to take part collectively in the event.

• Venue: Opt for a church hall rather than a traditional sanctuary to create a more intimate and welcoming environment.

• Seating Arrangement: Arrange tables in a horseshoe configuration to encourage attendees to mix and sit with members from other congregations, breaking down social barriers and fostering new connections.

The Service:

• Worship Structure: Follow traditional elements like a call to worship, hymn, and prayers, seamlessly integrating them with the meal and fellowship.

• Potluck Meal: organize a communal potluck meal to share food.

• Communion by Intinction: Have participants pass the elements to one another around the table, symbolizing the sharing of Christ’s meal and removing barriers between individuals.

This approach not only brings congregations together but also deepens the spiritual experience of Maundy Thursday. It has the potential to transform how congregations interact, creating a strong, unified community in Christ.

Credit: Rev. Shelly Chandler
Contact: revshellychandler@gmail.com

Soup Sundays

Iona Presbyterian Church, under the initiative of the Congregational Life committee and Irene C. Rose, has been hosting Soup Sundays, for over a decade during the challenging winter months.

Overview:

• Frequency and Timing: Held on select Sundays throughout the winter, with dates chosen based on the church calendar to minimize volunteer strain. Events are typically scheduled for October, December, February, March (depending on Easter), April, and May.

• Volunteer Engagement: Members are encouraged to contribute by bringing pots of soup, with a sign-up sheet provided in advance. An average of six pots are needed to serve 40+ attendees, accompanied by rolls and cookies.

• Support Missions: Consider a free-will offering to support organizations like PWS&D relief campaigns, the Canadian Food Grains Bank, Presbyterian Sharing, and others.

• Keep the Leftovers: Leftover soup is packaged for take-home by attendees or delivered to housebound members.

Credit: Irene C. Rose
Contact: Ireneandtomrose@eastlink.ca