Easter
See also Holidays.
This page is for things to do on Easter. It is sufficient for use, but I will improve it.
In 2021, the three readings below worked well. People read them as dessert was served. You can print out the readings from: READING 1: Luke 23-24. The Easter Story and READING 2: Revelation 19. Christ the Victor over Death and READING 3: Revelation 20. The New Jerusalem. You can do it several ways:
- (a) Three people read Readings 1, 2, and 3. (3 people participate)
- (b) Five people read Readings 1a, 1b, 1c, 2, and 3. (5 people participate)
- (c) Four people read Readings 1a, 1b, and 1c and 2. Five people read Reading 3. (9 people participate)
- (d) Three people read Readings 1a, 1b, and 1c. Six people read Reading 2. One person reads Reading 3 (10 people participate)
- (e) Three people read Readings 1a, 1b, and 1c. Then six people read Reading 2 and five people read Reading 3. (14 people participate)
We are having our big dinner at 5pm today. For that, I will try to expand this. I will try to get some hymns printed out, with sheet music, and to get everyone to have an instrument-- grand piano, violin, viola, cello, trombone, ukulele, didgeridoo, kazoo, harmonica, pots-and-pans percussion, recorder, clarinet are possibilities. I will look for an ancient prayer or a Book of Common Prayer one for dinner. Maybe stories of past Easters. Maybe Dante's Paradiso has something good. I'd like to write up something on the theology of Easter to add to the readings. During dinner, maybe as people for names of some dead people we can hope will rise again, with no discussion of the probabilities of happy ending in particular cases. Ideally, we'd do something on the pattern of a seder, though we're a bit wiped out after last night's Christian seder at Bob's House.
Contents
READING 1: Luke 23-24. The Easter Story
This should be read by three people, 1a, 1b, 1c.
Reading 1a.
And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
Reading 1b.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
And they remembered his words,
And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
Reading 1c.
It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
READING 2: Revelation 19. Christ the Victor over Death
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
READING 3: Revelation 20. The New Jerusalem
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Hymns for Easter
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia! Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia! Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail, the resurrection, Thou, Alleluia!— Alleluia!
And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above— So free, so infinite His grace— Humbled Himself, so great His love, And bled for all His chosen race. ’Tis mercy all, immense and free; For, O my God, it found out me! Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray— I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Sing aloud, for the time of rejoicing is near; (women echo) The risen King, our Groom, is soon to appear. (echo) The wedding feast to come is now near at hand; (echo) Lift up your voice, proclaim the coming Lamb. (echo)
Sing a song of celebration, lift up a shout of praise, For the Bridegroom will come, the Glorious One. And, oh,— we will look on His face. We’ll go— to a much better place.
Dance with all your might, lift up your hands and clap for joy, For the time’s drawing near — when He will appear. And, oh,— we will stand by His side, A strong,— pure spotless bride.
We will dance on the streets that are golden, The glorious bride and the great Son of Man. From ev’ry tongue and tribe and nation, We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb.
Sing aloud, for the time of rejoicing is near, (women echo) The risen King, our Groom, is soon to appear. (echo) The wedding feast to come is now near at last, (echo) Lift up your voice, proclaim the coming Lamb. (echo)
Sing a song of celebration, lift up a shout of praise, For the Bridegroom will come, the Glorious One. And, oh,— we will look on His face. We’ll go— to a much better place.
Dance with all your might, lift up your hands and clap for joy, For the time’s drawing near — when He will appear. And, oh,— we will stand by His side, A strong,— pure spotless bride.
We will dance on the streets that are golden, The glorious bride and the great Son of Man. From ev’ry tongue and tribe and nation, We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb, We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb, We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb.
Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come; Henceforth in fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home: Through days of preparation Thy grace has made us strong, And now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.
Lead on, O King eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease, And holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace; For not with swords’ loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums, But deeds of love and mercy, the heav’nly kingdom comes.
Lead on, O King eternal: we follow, not with fears; For gladness breaks like morning where-e’er Thy face appears; Thy cross is lifted o’er us; we journey in its light: The crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.
Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come; Henceforth in fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home: Through days of preparation Thy grace has made us strong, And now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.
Notes for Future Use
MARK
16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
16:7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
16:8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
16:10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
16:11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Easter Vigil
The original twelve Old Testament readings for the Easter Vigil survive in an ancient manuscript belonging to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The Armenian Easter Vigil also preserves what is believed to be the original length of the traditional gospel reading of the Easter Vigil, i.e., from the Last Supper account to the end of the Gospel according to Matthew. In the earliest Jerusalem usage the vigil began with Psalm 117 [118] sung with the response, "This is the day which the Lord has made." Then followed twelve Old Testament readings, all but the last being followed by a prayer with kneeling.
(1) Genesis 1:1--3:24 (the story of creation);
(2) Genesis 22:1-18 (the binding of Isaac);
(3) Exodus 12:1-24 (the Passover charter narrative);
(4) Jonah 1:1--4:11 (the story of Jonah);
(5) Exodus 14:24--15:21 (crossing of the Red Sea);
(6) Isaiah 60:1-13 (the promise to Jerusalem);
(7) Job 38:2-28 (the Lord's answer to Job);
(8) 2 Kings 2:1-22 (the assumption of Elijah);
(9) Jeremiah 31:31-34 (the new covenant);
(10) Joshua 1:1-9 (entry into the Promised Land);
(11) Ezekiel 37:1-14 (the valley of dry bones);
(12) Daniel 3:1-29 (the story of the three youths).
Invitation for Church
Hello, folks.
Easter is this Sunday. If you’d like to go to a church service but don't know where to go, I invite you to come with me, Helen, and the kids. We'll be going to Clearnote Church on the southwest side of town, 10:30-12. I know some of you aren't believers. You're invited too, even if you just want to come and complete your cultural education by watching our peculiar rites.
Please pardon the group email; I don't know who might be interested.
YT, Eric Rasmusen [email protected], cell: 812-345-8573
The Name "Easter"
Not written yet.
The Date of Easter
Not written yet.
The 2021 Easter Dinner
Wellington said a battle is much like a ball. Nobody can be everywhere at once to describe it-- though he himself was amazingly good at being at every crucial point of a battle, e.g. Waterloo. Parties are like that too. We had, after dinner, the little kids upstairs in the office playing Legos and House, the teenagers outside playing badminton with the utility light to illuminate the darkness, the ladies with baby Elizabeth in the dining room, other ladies playing Mozart on the piano, and the men talking politics, strategy, and linear algebra in the kitchen and on the deck.
