Ways to Celebrate a Meaningful Easter

Published April 6, 2017

We’re just a few days away from celebrating Resurrection Sunday! Praise God for His loving sacrifice and resurrection! Some members of CSU’s staff and faculty share a few ways to intentionally turn your focus to the true meaning of this holiday.

1. Fast and Remember

“Our church is calling all of us to fast on something over the next two weeks. Every time we feel the desire for this item, we’re challenged to stop and reflect on what Christ’s death and resurrection means to us.”
Dr. Dwight Peterson, Assistant Professor, Discipleship and Youth Ministry

2. Study Daily

“Last year I used the resources from She Reads Truth. They also have an app with the daily readings.”
Susan Cagley, Associate Professor and Social Studies Education Social Studies Advisor

3. Bring Meaning to an Easter Egg Hunt

Instead of having a “typical” Easter egg hunt, and filling the eggs with candy, consider creating Resurrection Eggs. “They make a nice addition to the Easter egg hunt,” says Cagley. “Each egg houses a token to represent some part of the story of Easter.” This includes a branch to bring to mind Palm Sunday and a stone to represent the stone rolled away from the tomb. Invite neighborhood children to participate, and share the message with them as you open each egg in order.

4. Read Scripture

“We encouraged our church people to read and meditate on readings for Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday and going through Easter Sunday. These readings focus the events of Christ’s last week leading to His death and resurrection.”
Dr. Ken Pyne, Associate Professor, Seminary Chaplain and Director of Internships and M.Div. Adviser

“Use a day-to-day reading of Jesus’ last days as it is recorded in the Gospel of Mark. The readings go from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. It would be a great way to meditate upon the resurrection throughout the week. It also would be a great family devotion time. We have done this a number of times as a family.”
Dr. Wayne Slusser, Assistant Seminary Dean 
and Associate Professor of New Testament

Access the two Bible reading plans mentioned above, so you could read Scripture daily from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday.

5. Bake Up an Object Lesson

“When our son got married, his wife, Danielle, brought a very meaningful tradition to our family that we have now been doing for 10 years. It was resurrection cookie that we made together as a family on Easter Eve. The part that makes it meaningful is the way and cookies are made and the ingredients. We read Scripture about each of the ingredients.”
Sharon Wilson, Assistant Registrar

Another option is to make resurrection rolls and talk through the resurrection story as you make the unique rolls with children.

6. Talk About It

“On Easter, I greet everyone in person, online or on the phone with ‘He is risen!’ The response should be ‘He is risen, indeed!’ If they don’t know the response, we share the history and the Bible verse where it comes from (Luke 24:34).”
Diane Lytle, M.Ed., Adjunct Professor
 and LYFE Women’s Conference Director

7. Attend a Unique Service

“Attend a Passover service, or have a Passover meal. Go to a true sunrise service.”
Geoff Ellsworth, Church Relations Representative and RiSE Ministry Team Director

8. Teach an Interactive Children’s Class

“Our Palm Sunday lesson for Sunday School is one of the most fun classes of the year. We act out the story, and everyone is involved. We bring in a donkey toy, clothes for ‘Jesus’ and extra jackets. My husband Roger and I made palm branches. The whole class can line the room and throw their own jackets or extra jackets we brought in and shout ‘hosanna!’ as Jesus rides the donkey. Different kids take turns getting a chance to be on the donkey and play the role of ‘Jesus.’ What better story is there to be able to act out and help the kids remember?”
Dawn Jacobs, Senior Graphic Designer

9. Invite Someone to Church

“Invite people to attend church with you. They seem more likely to accept the invitation at this time of year. Then, you could invite them to your personal Easter celebration after the service. Keep the conversation going; the gospel is usually presented in church, so bring it up and encourage them to keep thinking about what was said. Also, be intentional about connecting with the new people visiting your church just because it’s Easter. Be friendly, and try to build a relationship with them.”
Nathan Miller, Coordinator of Mail Services and Marketing Assistant

10. Journal

“For me, Easter is a time to stop and reflect on our risen and glorious Savior. I typically take extra time to journal and reflect on His goodness. He lived on earth and died for me; now my response needs to be to share that truth with others and love others the way Christ loved us.”
Charity Smith, Admissions Counselor