EASTERTIDE/EASTER SEASON/PASCHAL TIME

Written by Rev. Dr. Waymon Dixon

Eastertide according to the revised liturgical calendar is the span of time from Easter to Pentecost. The candles which symbolize the humanity and divinity of Christ are lit throughout this season. They should not be higher than the cross. This corresponds to our understanding of the importance of the resurrection to Christian Faith. The lighted candles also symbolize the fire that brought light to the tomb at the very moment of the resurrection of Christ. The Paraments or altar cloths and vestments are white during Eastertide. Gold may also be used. Acts of the Apostles, replacing The Old Testament scripture, should be read each Sunday during this special season. The Gospel of John should accompany the Acts reading. The Seven Sundays of Easter are numbered: Second Sunday of Easter (which is Low Sunday), Third Sunday of Easter, Fourth Sunday of Easter, on until the Day of Pentecost. On Pentecost Sunday, the color is red which symbolizes the fire of the Holy Ghost.

Easter Sunday itself is the central day of the church year. The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, after their theological assertion of Easter faith, examined every aspect of Jesus’ life on earth. Mark began with Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Luke and Matthew reflected upon his birth, but John looked further into the nature of Christ’s divinity in reflecting upon Jesus’ transcendence of the space time continuum itself through Logos Theology: "In the beginning was the word and the word was God and the word was with God" (John 1:1). It is in the imaginative shadow cast by Easter that we understand the humanity and divinity of Christ. The Easter moment is the organizing principle of the liturgical calendar. Easter gave birth to Christmas. The winter solstice in which we celebrate Christmas is nine months after the spring equinox in which we observe Easter. We understand Christ’s birth in the light of Christ’s passion and resurrection. Easter, not Christmas, is the oldest and most important day of the Church. Easter is the story of the Apostle Peter’s reflection on Mary Magdalene’s witness to the Son who arose at sunrise: ”Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (St. Matthew 28:10/NIV)

May I suggest the following Liturgy for an Easter Sunrise Candlelight Service: A small fire should be lit beyond the Church. This symbolizes the fire of Christ that emerged from the empty tomb. The pastor should light the Paschal Candle from the Fire and lead the congregation carrying unlit candles into the church. The Pastor will light the candles on the altar and then light the candles of the members from his or her candle. This should be timed perfectly to coincide with daybreak. After the Easter Gospel is read, the lights of the church may be turned on. Using the A. M. E. Hymnal as a source, “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today” by Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts’ great hymn, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” may be sung as the Hymn of Praise and the Hymn of Preparation, respectively. Sing the African American Spiritual, “He Arose” for the Call to Christian Discipleship.

For further reading on this topic I suggest Protestant Worship: Traditions in Transition by James F. White, Planning the Church Year by Leonel L. Mitchell and The Oxford History of Christian Worship by Geoffrey Wainwright and Karen B. Westerfield Tucker. Happy Easter!

COMMON LECTIONARY FOR LENT

Ash Wednesday
February 25, 2009
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 51:1-17,
II Cor. 5:20b-6:10 Matt. 6:1-6, 16-21
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First Sunday in Lent
March 1, 2009
Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15
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Second Sunday in Lent
March 8, 2009
Gen. 17:1-7,15-16, Psalm 22:23-31, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38
or Mark 9:2-9
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Third Sunday in Lent
March 15, 2009
Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, I Cor. 1:18-, John 2:13-22
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Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 22, 2009
Numbers 21:4-9, Ps. 107:1-3,17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21
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Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 29, 2009
Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16,
Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33
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Liturgy of the Palms
Sixth Sunday in Lent
April 5, 2009
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
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Liturgy of the Passion
Sixth Sunday in Lent
April 12, 2009
Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14:1-15:47
or Mark 15:1-39,40-47
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The online Revised Common Lectionary by Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

LENTEN SERMON IDEAS

Preaching during the Lenten season should seek to inspire the listener to engage in Holy Habits (giving, worship, prayer, fasting) thus strengthening their relationship with God as they walk the forty-days with Christ. Here are a few sermon ideas that may spark your creativity and give you a good WORD to share.

“The Lenten Transformation”
1. A Transformed Life Requires New Priorities—II Corinthians 4:16-18
2. A Transformed Life Requires Commitment—Luke 16:13
3. A Transformed Life Requires Sacrifice—II Corinthians 8:7
4. A Transformed Life Requires Service—Ephesians 2:8-10

Submitted By
Pastor Marvin C. Zanders, II

LENT and EASTER CREATIVE WORSHIP

THE TOLLING OF THE PASSION SERVICE

The Tolling of the Passion order of service has evolved over the years. The prayers, scriptures and song selections have been modified to meet the needs of the community to which it was offered. Similar orders of service can be found in many faith traditions books of worship and other worship related materials. We offer you the bones of the service and pray that as you will modify it and use it for the education and transformation of the community you serve, that the Lord will be in the mist.

Suggestions
 This is a powerful service for any size congregation. The preparation is minimal and the song selections work well without music or at the most with a simple piano
 The mood is solemn
 There is quite a bit of reading you may want to use several readers

You will need
 Seven candles of the same or different heights, sizes and colors
 one large Christ candle, gold or white placed in the center and
higher than all the others
 A candle extinguisher

Be creative and let the Lord guide you.


Good Friday
Tolling The Hours of the Passion

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above Ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Lighting the Candles
Leader: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Our God, King of all creation. You kept us alive, and sustained us, and brought us to this season.
People: May our community of faith be consecrated by the light of your love, and may it shine upon us, and bring us peace.

Invocation Prayer (Unison)
Gracious God, dare we call this day good, when it recalls the Passion of your Son, our Lord? Dare we worship you on this night, when we remember the suffering and death of Jesus Christ? Dare we sing praise in the community of friends, when it reminds us of the betrayal, and denial, and deception of his friends? Come to us in the depth of your love these moments of quiet remembrance. Speak to us of sorrow and of joy, of denial and of triumph, that we may find in the crucifixion your gift of reconciliation and peace. Keep us in communion with you, and in community with one another, that we may worship in spirit and in truth. Amen.

9:00p.m. - In the Garden
Mark 14:26-31

Lead Me to Calvary (AME Hymn #306)
King of my life, I crown Thee now,Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.
Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.

Show me the tomb where Thou were laid. Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.
Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.

Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, You know our frailty; you understand our weakness: you are acquainted with our failures. though we have professed to believe, we betray our Lord by our action. though we have promised to follow, we deny our Christ by our selfishness and our actions. Though we have vowed to be faithful, we desert our Savior by following our own desires. we have lived for ourselves and abandoned our neighbors. we have refused to bear the troubles of other. we have ignored the pain of the world, and passed by the hungry, the poor and the oppressed. In Your great mercy, forgive our sins, and free us from all evil, that we may choose Your will and obey Your commandments, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
Mark 14:32-42

Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone (AME Hymn #155)
Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross for everyone, and there’s a cross for me.

12:00 Midnight - Betrayal and Arrest
Mark 14:43:-52
The first candle is extinguished

He Looked Beyond My Fault (African American Heritage Hymnal#249)
Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise,
For it was grace that brought my liberty;
I do not know just why Christ came to love me so,
He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.
I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross where Jesus died for me;
How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

3:00 a.m. - The Sanhedrin Trial
Mark 14:53-65
The second candle is extinguished

I Know It was The Blood (African American Heritage Hymnal#267)
They whipped him all night long, They whipped him all night long,
They whipped him all night long for me
One day when I was lost, He died upon the cross
I know it was the blood for me


Mark 14:66-72
The third candle is extinguished

I Know It was The Blood (African American Heritage Hymnal #267)
He never said a mumblin’ word,
He never said a mumblin’ word,
He never said a mumblin’ word for me,
One day when I was lost, He died upon the cross
I know it was the blood for me

6:00 a.m. - The Roman Trial
Mark 15:1-15
The fourth candle is extinguished

Were you There (AME Hymn #136)
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Mark 15:16-20
The fifth candle is extinguished

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

9:00a.m. - The Crucifixion
Mark 15:21-32
The sixth candle is extinguished

Were you There (AME Hymn #136)
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble

12:00 Noon - Darkness
Mark 15:33
Sanctuary Lights Are Extinguished

Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?

A minute of Silence

3:00p.m. - Death
Mark 15:34-41
The seventh candle is extinguished

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when the laid Him in the tomb?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they when they laid Him in the tomb?

One Candle Remains - The Candle of the Light of the World
It is the Candle that can never be extinguished, for the Light came into the world and brought life to all humankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Mark 15:42-47

Closing of the Pulpit Bible
Stripping of the Sanctuary
(Adornments are removed from the sanctuary, flowers, flags, candles, fabric, only the cross and the single candle remains, as a stark reminder of the suffering and bleakness of the crucifixion.)

Benediction
Leader: Go now into the darkening night, O people of God. Though we walk in darkness, we are not forsaken. We are led by the hand of God. May the love of God calm your fears; may the grace of God keep you through the night; may the presence of God sustain you through life. God go with you and with all of God’s people . Amen.

Please exit reverently in silence.


CREATIVE WORSHIP AND IDEA STARTERS
The following is a list of worship ideas to assist you as you plan Holy Week services and teaching opportunities. It is not intended to be all inclusive, but rather a conversation starter as you work with your ministry team to develop transformative teaching and worship experiences. Remember those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Happy Holy Week!

Palm Sunday
 Go Green: decorate the sanctuary with borrowed planted palms from the local nursery and thank them in your worship bulletin.
 Processional: choir, ministers, officers and children lay palm branches and cloaks/cloths on the floor in front of the chancel and altar, during the processional.

Good Friday Service
The Tolling of the Passion order of service that is attached has evolved over the years. We offer you the bones of the service and pray that you will modify it and use it for the education and transformation of the community you serve, that the Lord will be in the mist.
Click here to download The Tolling of the Passion.

Resurrection Sunday/Sonrise Service
 Partner with other churches for Sonrise Service to maximize resources
 Have the youth or drama ministry perform the scripture instead (10 mins) of having it read followed by Now Behold the Lamb and it is preaching time
 Full processional: during the first morning service worship bring the light of Christ into the sanctuary, empty cross along with other Resurrection symbols

Holy Week
Reclaim the power of the numerous symbols of Holy Week

Where: church school, youth meetings, bible study, small group meetings, component meetings, outreach ministry, prison ministry, hospital ministries, prayer service, worship bulletins, worship service, home…

When: at every opportunity

What: Palm Sunday: palms, cloaks, donkeys…
Passover: unleavened bread, the bowl, water, wine, the lamb…
The Passion: cross, crown of thorns, nails, torn robe, tomb, stone…
Resurrection: stone, empty tomb, linen cloths…

Who: parents, grandparents, church school teachers, youth directors, choir directors, small group leaders, bible study teachers, worship leaders and clergy in whatever capacity you serve


Holy Week Worship Planning Resources
AME Hymnal
Special readings 717-724
Prayers 782,783
Lectionary 795 Year B
Hymns 129-173

African American Heritage Hymnal
Biblical Responsive Reading 8,27,45
Litany Prayers 6,67,68
Hymns, 239-285,
Palm Sunday Hymns 22, 226, 227, 225, 331

The African American Pulpit, www.theafricanamericanpulpit.com

Waiting to Go! African American Church Worship Resources From Advent Through Pentecost, James Abbington and Linda H. Hollies

When We Gather: A Book of Prayers for Worship, James G. Kirk

The African Worship Book, Valerie Bridgeman Davis, and Safiyah Fosua

Season of Ash and Fire: Prayer and Liturgies for Lent and Easter, Blair Gilmer Meeks

Destination Easter: Lenten Programs and Practices for Youth, Kaylea Huston and Kathy Hershman

Submitted by Rev. Joy Gallmon

ELEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BOARD

Bishop McKinley Young, Resident Bishop, Eleventh Episcopal District
Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor
Rev. Joy L. Gallmon, 11th Episcopal District Director of Christian Education
Rev. Cedric Cuthbert, Secretary
Rev. Vincent Lane, Co-Chairperson of the Curriculum Committee
Rev. Grayce Lane, Co-Chairperson of the Curriculum Committee
All Presiding Elders
Rev. Kennetta Carter, Director of Children’s Division of Connectional Church Growth and Development Dept.
All Episcopal Officers
Mrs. Melvin Morgan, President, Women’s Missionary Society
Mrs. Sandra Burke, Director, Young People’s Division
Mr. Jon Ingraham, President, Young People’s Division
Mr. Charlie Nichols, President, Lay Organization
Dr. Cynthia Griffin, President, Ministers Spouses’ Alliance
Dr. Samuel Hunter, Superintendent, Church School
Rev. Dr. Carlton Taylor, District Board of Examiners
Rev. Kenneth Irby, District Director, Sons of Allen
Rev. Dr. Mark Crutcher, District Director, Worship & Evangelism
Rev. Charletta Robinson, District Director, Women in Ministry
Mrs. Sharon Sheffield, District Commissioner – DMC
Mrs. Faye Diamond, Director, Allen Christian Fellowship
Mr. James Robbins, III, District Music Director
Ms. Karen Richardson, District, Media Director
Mrs. Sandra Mitchell – WMS – PME Director
Ms. Patricia Wright – Lay Activities Director
Rev. Dr. Angela Bess – Juvenile Justice Project
Rev. Karen Jackson Sims – 11th District CDC
Rev. Jeffrey Dove – Voter Registration
Rev. Dr. Robert L. Mitchell, Chair, Commission on Colleges and Schools
Rev. Waymon Dixon, Continuing Education Coordinator
Rev. Charles Morris, Florida Conference Director of Christian Education
Rev. Joyce Moore, Central Conference Director of Christian Education
Rev. Charles Scott, South Conference Director of Christian Education
Rev. James Givens, West Conference Director of Christian Education
Rev. Elizabeth Yates, East Conference Director of Christian Education
Presiding Elders Patterson and Williams, Bahamas Conference Director of Christian Ed.
District Boys Scouts Coordinator
District Girls Scouts Coordinator
Rev. Dr. Marcia Owens
Rev. Dr. Nevell Owens
Rev. Kevin Desire
Rev. Paula Lake
Rev. Atticus Taylor
Mrs. Kathy Taylor
Rev. Willie Cook
Rev. Glenn Dames
Conference Chairs – Board of Examiners
Rev. Dr. Julius McAllister – Bethel Tallahassee – Florida
Rev. Joyce Moore – Allen Chapel Melbourne – Central
Rev. Michael Bouie – Mt. Hermon Ft. Lauderdale – South
Rev. Harry Dawkins – Gtr. Mt. Carmel Tampa – West Coast
Rev. Michael Mitchell – St. Stephen – East
Pastors – Members At Large
Rev. Lee Plummer - Florida Conference
Rev. Willie Hagan
Rev. Nathan Mugala - Central Conference
Rev. Terence Gray
Rev. Samuel Sullivan - South Conference
Rev. Milton Broomfield
Rev. David Connelly - West Coast
Rev. Clarence Williams
Rev. Pearce Ewing
District Staff
Rev. Dr. Marvin C. Zanders, II, Treasurer
Mrs. Mavis Bobbie Bush, Executive Assistant
Ms. Debra Taylor, Office Manager
Rev. Tony D. Hansberry, Coordinator, Annunity Investments & Ins.
Rev. Charles Cloy, District Assistant/Book Steward
Rev. Mark Griffin, CPA

CEC 2009 SCHEDULE

Great Past-Greater Future an Incredible Call to Serve
“Celebrating Inheritance: Who We Are, What We Have, and Where We Are Going"

Schedule of Activities
Monday, July 22, 2009
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration:

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. MSA District Officers
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Youth Ushers Rehearsal
Uniform: black bottoms/white top

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Hall Monitors Meeting ~ Lay/SOA/WIM
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Minister Spouses’ Alliance
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Presenters & Conveners ~ Meet and Greet

6:30 p.m. Orientation
7:15 p.m. Worship Participants Gathering
7:30 p.m. Opening Worship – Communion

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
6:00 a.m. Morning Exercise

7:00 a.m. WMS Working Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration:

7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Opening Plenary I
Devotion/Logistics

9:00 a.m. – 11: 00 a.m. Continuing Education: Session I

9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Seminar

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study &Youth Bible Study

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Lunch

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Continuing Education

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Seminar II (see pages)

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. DMC ~ Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young / Ms. Sharon Sheffield

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Bishop’s Seminar

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Youth Usher Rehearsal ~
Uniform: black bottoms/white top

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Organization/Component Meetings if necessary

7:15 p.m. Worship Participants Gathering

7:30 p.m. Witness in Worship ~ Lay Leadership

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
8:00 a.m. SOA Basketball

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Music Ministry Workshop

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Liturgical Dance Master’s Class

12:30 p.m. Mother Daughter Luncheon

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Dancing With the Saints
~Social Dance Workshop/Dance Instruction
Youth must attend to receive ticket for the Formal Ball

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Contemporary Worship

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Formal Ball

Thursday, July 23, 2009
8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Organization /Component Meetings
WMS/YPD –
Lay Organization
Sons of Allen
Board of Examiners

11:00 a.m. Closing Prayer and Commitment Service
~ Bishop McKinley Young

July 24 - 25, 2008
Bishop/Presiding Elder’s Retreat
Supervisor/Presiding Elder’s Spouses Retreat