We have just observed the 40 days of Lent, followed by the seven days of Holy Week, culminating with Easter Sunday, what I prefer to call Resurrection Sunday. But, Easter does not end with Sunday, April 20, 2025. We are now in the Christian season of Eastertide.
Eastertide is the entire 50 days leading up to Pentecost (which also means 50). After the resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days on earth before his ascension and an additional 10 days passed before the Holy Spirit descended on the church in power on Pentecost (40+10=50). The giving of the Holy Spirit is connected to the resurrection of Christ.
The Great 50 Days is filled with high praise and celebration. While the church fasts from singing or saying, “Alleluia!” during Lent, the church declares it with passion during The Great 50 Days! The lectionary readings feature the apostles testifying to the resurrection and showcase the power of God through the fruit of the resurrection.
Feature weekly testimony I hope to use the Great 50 Days to feature testimonies in worship from a person or family in our church. God has done amazing things in our congregation and brought new life. Testimony from the family of God is a particular way of unleashing the power of the Holy Spirit and setting people free.
Sing or say, “Alleluia!” While the historic practice of the Church is to fast from speaking or singing, “Alleluia” during Lent, it is a wonderful practice to let the “Alleluias” ring during The Great 50 Days. Let’s use it frequently in calls to worship, songs, and prayers. Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Feature ministries and leaders in the church We will use The Great 50 Days to lift up the various ministries in our church and invite members to serve. Let’s celebrate the new life God has resurrected over the past year. We are normally so forward focused that we rarely take time to remember. We need to focus on what God has done, is doing, and what God wants to do!
Include children and youth in worship The Great 50 Days is the ideal time to remember to ask children and youth to read scripture, collect the offering, pray, and minister to the congregation. Utilize the gifts of your entire church, not just the adults. Kids, be prepared to hear from me!
Use declarative acts of worship We will be using creeds, offering declarations, gospel declarations, and acts of worship that declare our faith.
Stay focused on resurrection While the wider culture observes one day of Easter, the church continues to live into the resurrection. I will be using Easter themes in worship and in my sermons—death is defeated, Christ has overcome the grave, Jesus is Lord, resurrection, new life, high praise, testimony, God’s new thing, etc… We can’t be tempted to move on. It’s a big deal!
If you have ideas we can use during Eastertide, please share them with me. We are all part of the body of Christ and how we praise and worship him on Sunday morning and during the week.
Pastor Nancy
