The climax of the 40 days of Lent is Easter, or Resurrection Sunday. Easter celebrates the fact that Christ is risen! It recognizes God’s ongoing work of establishing a new creation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It also celebrates the hope of that work being culminated in a new heaven and a new earth. 

While we might not be able to gather together with the wider church this Easter, we can and should worship this Easter Sunday together with our families in our homes. The home can be a place of Christian worship, learning, and discipleship when we bring the rhythms of a worship service—which include reading the Bible, praying, and singing—into our homes.

This Easter, why not worship the Lord together in your home? I have put together a simple family liturgy that any family can use this coming Easter Sunday. My hope is that it will help you celebrate the risen Lord in your home. Whether it be around the dinner table, in the living room, or in your backyard, your home can be a place of worship. May the risen Christ bless you this Easter Sunday. Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Easter Acclamation 

Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

Family: The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

(Sing or Say Together)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

First Prayer 

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may, by your life-giving Spirit, be delivered from sin and raised from death; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Scripture Reading  

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”  (Matthew 28:1-10 NIV)

Short Devotion

One or more parent may say a brief devotion about the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This doesn’t have to be long or complicated, but short and meaningful, and age-appropriate. Use the following as an exmaple.

The story of Easter begins in the book of Genesis, when God created our good world. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and their sin hurt their relationship with him. All of creation suffered because of their mistake. Since that time, there has been a distance between God and people, between people themselves, and even all of creation, though still beautiful, is hurting. Then God sent Jesus his Son, who was perfect and good, to live the life that we couldn’t. He perfectly obeyed his Father God and loved him with all his heart. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. But on the third day, he rose again, showing himself to his friends and followers! Because Jesus died and rose again, we can have a strong relationship with God our Father again, and all of creation is being made new. We ourselves are the beginning of God’s beautiful, new creation! Sin does not have the final word. Death is not the end. Christ is risen!

The Lord’s Prayer 

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Affirm the Mystery of the Faith 

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again!

Closing Prayer 

Almighty God, who through Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, overcame
death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life, grant that we, who celebrate
with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by
your life-giving Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Dismissal 

Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Family: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.

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If would like to further explore the meaning of the resurrection, read the following writings from the New Testament: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 11:21-27; 1 Corinthians 15.

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Do you need help with discipling your children? Are you looking for the basics of what it looks like to practice your faith as a Christian family? Find out more with Winfield Bevins’ book Grow at Home: A Beginner’s Guide to Family Discipleship. Written for families of all ages and backgrounds, Grow at Home unpacks these ideas with a practical guide to family discipleship. When we bring the gospel back in the home, it will spread through our neighborhoods and into the communities where we live. Get it from our store here.