Easter Call to Worship
Like the Christmas church service, the Easter church service is where all the unique elements come out (cue flying little drummer boys). We do these to create engaging experiences for the 20-25% of non-regular church attendees coming to our services and to celebrate the risen King. Outside of the unique things you have planned throughout your service, how are you starting your Easter church service? Insert the Easter Call to Worship.
What is an Easter Call to Worship?
Overall, the call to worship is all about grabbing the attention of everyone in the room at the beginning of our service and redirecting it to the heart of God. As we all know, everyone comes into our church services with a list of things on their minds. So the purpose of the call to worship is to help the congregation transition from the distractions of everyday life into a sacred space of worship; where they can encounter God meaningfully.
In addition to setting the tone for the service, the call to worship can also help create a sense of unity and community among the congregation. The typical call to worship lasts only 1-2 minutes. You should not make calls to worship lengthy. The purpose is to start your easter church service with a quick unifying moment.
Basically, a call to worship can take many different forms. Still, it typically includes an introduction or announcement from the worship leader, followed by a reading or recitation of a scripture passage, a hymn or song, or a prayer that helps to emphasize a particular aspect of God’s character, such as his holiness, love, or power.
In light of our specific topic today, the easter call to worship is a way to quickly center the attention of everyone in attendance on the incredible reality that Jesus has Risen!
Easter Call to Worship Ideas
Again, the call to worship is about quickly grabbing the congregation’s attention and directing it toward the Lord. To make the most of your easter call to worship, it’s essential to choose the correct elements and format that will resonate with your congregation. Here are a few ideas you can combine to craft a powerful easter call to worship.
Easter Call to Worship Idea 1: Opening Prayer
A prayer that both invites the Lord into the service & focuses the congregation’s attention on the reality of who God is. Have the prayer displayed and ask them to read along as you proclaim it.
Opening Prayer 1
Loving, Powerful God, joy floods over our souls on this day! Christ is risen! Fear is conquered! Open our hearts and our spirits to receive fully the joy given for us! Let us celebrate the victory of Christ and hope for the future! Amen.
– Nancy C. Townley
Opening Prayer 2:
Jesus, today we celebrate your resurrection. You conquered death and defeated the grave; because of it, we are free! Thank you, Jesus, for your victory! Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life so I could be free. O praise the name of the risen King, who found me worthy of His suffering. Who willingly chose to give His life so I might walk in freedom. Praise the one who set me free! He is alive! He is risen!
Easter Call to Worship Idea 2: Call & Response
The worship leader or a designated speaker calls out a phrase or line, and the congregation responds with a pre-determined reply. The easiest way to do this is by placing the call and response on the screen and quickly explaining it.
Call & Response 1:
Worship Leader: The tomb is empty & darkness has lost!
Congregation: We dance in the light of His resurrection!
Worship Leader: No more do we have to fear!
Congregation: No more does worry reign!
Worship Leader: He is victorious & so are we!
Congregation: Because of His victory, we are free!
Worship Leader: Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
Everyone: Praise the Risen Lord! Hallelujah!
Call & Response 2:
Worship Leader: Christ is Risen
Congregation: The angels of God are rejoicing
Worship Leader: Christ is Risen
Congregation: The spirits of evil have fallen
Worship Leader: Christ is Risen
Congregation: The tomb is empty!
Everyone: Glory and power are Jesus’s forever and ever. Amen!
– adapted from St. Hippolytus of Rome
Imagine starting your Easter church service with your church declaring from their mouths these powerful truths! Have the band playing behind the Easter call to worship! Make it loud and victorious.
Easter Call to Worship Idea 3: Scripture Reading
What better way to begin an Easter church service centered on declaring the truth of His resurrection and your Easter call to worship than by reading scripture!
Scripture 1 – Mark 16:1-7
“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb, and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'”
Scripture 2 – 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last, of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”
Scripture 3 – John 20
Easter Call to Worship Idea 4: Poetry
Poetry can engage emotions and imagination in a way that other forms of language can not. An Easter church service that starts in these depths is compelling! Start your Easter call to worship by immersing your congregation in the vivid imagery that only poetry can paint.
Poem 1
He is risen–
After darkness had its say,
on the third day, the tomb’s stone door
rolled away.
Again Jesus walked, talked, touched, and ate.
In awe, witnesses testified,
“Death is not his fate!”
– excerpt from Jamie Trunnel’s poem “He is Risen.”
Poem 2
“What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
that makes me white as snow;
no other fount I know;
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
– except from “Nothing But the Blood” by Robert Lowry
Easter Call to Worship Idea 5: Spoken Word
Spoken word has a unique rhythm, flow, and energy that captivates people and draws them into the moment. It grabs people’s attention and creates a sense of anticipation for what’s to come. For example, below is an incredible example of an ester church service that started with a spoken word call to worship.
Spoken Word
Remember this…
In conclusion, the Easter church service is an opportunity to celebrate the risen King and create engaging experiences for non-regular church attendees. The Easter Call to Worship is an essential element of the service, as it quickly centers the attention of everyone in attendance on the incredible reality that Jesus has risen. This unifying moment can take many forms, including an opening prayer, call & response, or scripture reading. Let’s celebrate our hope and victory in the risen King!
Overall the goal is to grab the congregation’s attention and direct it toward the Lord, helping them transition from everyday life’s distractions into a sacred space of worship where they can encounter God meaningfully. Above all, choose the correct elements and format that will resonate with your congregation to craft a powerful Easter Call to Worship!
