Easter Celebration Service, April 4, 1999
Editor's Note: Thanks to Nathan Meckley for writing and compiling this UFMCC Resource Kit.
Nathan served as Executive Associate on the UFMCC Headquarters Staff for more than 10
years and was conference planner for UFMCC General Conferences and Leadership Conferences.
He is available to preach in MCC congregations and to lead a variety of workshops and
seminars. E-mails to UFMCCHQ@aol.com inquiring about
Nathan's ministry and speaking schedule will be forwarded to his attention.
Introduction:
Resurrection Sunday, or Easter Sunday,
sometimes referred to as "the Day of days" or "the Feast of feasts,"
is the greatest holiday and celebration of the entire Christian year. Retelling the
surprise of Christ rising from the grave is a singularly powerful remembrance of the
message that God's abundant love and grace can never be extinguished. Pageantry,
exuberance and vitality are all qualities associated with this happiest of occasions.
Approach to worship on this, of all days, must be one of great joy and celebration!
Liturgical
Resources:
One: Listen! Hear the remarkable Good News to which we bear witness. Our Savior who was
dead is alive!
All: Christ is risen!
One: Our Beloved, betrayed, abandoned, crucified and buried is alive again!
All: Christ is risen!
One: The power of death and fear are broken and no longer hold us captive because Christ
lives!
All: Christ is risen!
One: The power of God's love cannot be destroyed. Christ is victorious. Let us celebrate
this most joyful of all days! Christ IS risen!
All: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Hymn Recommendations:
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
(text, William C. Dix; tune: HYFRYDOL, Rowland H. Prichard)
A woman in a world of men*
(text, Brian Wren; tune: LARCHES, Veronica Bennetts)
Christ Arose
(text and music by Robert Lowry)
Christ is Alive!
(text, Brian Wren; tune: TRURO, Thomas Williams)
Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!
(text, Brian Wren; tune: HYMN TO JOY, Ludwig von Beethoven)
Christ whose glory fills the skies
(text, Charles Wesley; tune: LUX PRIMA, Charles Gounod)
Come ye faithful raise, the strain*
(text, St. John of Damascus; tune: ST. KEVIN, Aurthur S. Sullivan)
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah
(African-American spiritual text and tune)
I know that my redeemer lives*
(text, Samuel Medley; tune: SHOUT ON, American folk hymn)
I know that my redeemer lives
(text, Samuel Medley; tune: DUKE STREET, John Hatton)
Jesus Christ is risen today*
(text, Latin trans. from 14th century, et.al.; tunes: EASTER HYMN, from Lyrica Davidica or
LLANFAIR, Robert Williams)
Now the green blade rises*
(text, John M.C. Crum; tune: NOEL NOUVELET, traditional French carol)
O Life that maketh all things new*
(text, Samuel Longfellow; tune: TRURO, Thomas Williams)
Sing with all the saints in glory*
(text, tune: HYMN TO JOY, Ludwig von Beethoven)
That Easter day with joy was bright
(text, Latin 5th century; tune: PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, Trier, adapt. Michael Praetorius)
The day of resurrection*
(text, St. John of Damascus; tunes: ELLACOMBE, Wirtenberg or LANCASHIRE, Henry Thomas
Smart)
The strife is o'er
(text, Latin 15th century; tune: VICTORY, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina)
Thine is the glory*
(text, Edmond L. Budry; tune: JUDAS MACCABEUS, George Frederick Handel)
Note #1: Those marked with " * " are available through The Hymnal
Project of MCC San Francisco. The other listed hymns may be found in various sources and
may require text changes to conform to your local church practice of inclusive language.)
Note #2: Additional music resources and recommendations are provided below by
Randall Busby, Music Director of MCC Silver Spring/Tacoma Park.
Idea - Action List:
While you may have no shortage of ideas, here are a few simple ways to add new life to
worship this Easter:
1. White and gold are the traditional suggested liturgical colors for Easter. Use colorful
rainbow vestments and paraments in addition or instead; bright colors can be very
appropriate and in keeping with the celebration spirit of Easter.
2. A dramatization of the selected Gospel story would greatly enliven worship. The
resurrection scriptures lend themselves ideally and easily to a simple dramatic reading
using several different voices and require virtually no adaptation of the text: narrator,
angel(s), Mary, risen Christ, etc. Staging and costumes are not necessary, but use them if
your church has the resources and inclination. This is an ancient church practice which,
in fact, was the antecedent of medieval "miracle" and "passion" plays
which lead to the rebirth of theater in Western civilization.
3. Most common Easter symbols (lilies, bunnies, chicks, eggs, etc.) are related to the
fact that Easter came to be observed during spring in the Northern hemisphere. These
symbols were interpreted and celebrated as nature reflecting the triumph and abundance of
life (spring) over death (winter). Consider using additional natural symbols of new life
(other springtime flowers, budding branches, etc.) or transformed life (a butterfly, for
example) as appropriate to your geographic location to adorn the church.
4. Pull out all the stops for music! If you have access to professional or excellent
amateur musicians (instrumentalists or vocalists) use them on Easter. A few specific
ideas:
- Easter is a great Sunday to have brass instruments like trumpets for opening fanfares or
to enhance choir or congregational singing.
- The praise words "hallelujah" and "alleluia" especially are
particularly associated with the Resurrection. Follow them as clues leading to music which
may be appropriate to the occasion. There is even a vast repertoire of choral and solo
vocal literature setting these words alone in almost every style imaginable.
5. The joy can continue after worship. Consider an Easter egg hunt; it's fun for kids and
families and for everyone who's watching. Also, have an Easter bonnet parade or contest --
it will be memorable! MCC San Francisco and MCC Los Angeles have done this for several
years with great success. Men, women, adults and children all enjoy this, too! Consider
including a potluck meal or barbeque. If weather permits hold these activities
out-of-doors.
Bio of the
Author:
Nathan Meckley was Executive Associate at the international headquarters of UFMCC from
1987 to January 1999. Planning and management of UFMCC conferences and serving as
assistant to Rev. Elder Donald Eastman were his primary duties.
Nathan attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey completing a Bachelor
of Music in Music Education, and earned a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at
the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Nathan has long been committed to local church participation and is active at MCC Los
Angeles, UFMCC's Mother Church. He has served on numerous committees, was a deacon and a
member of the Board of Directors and is former Chair of the Board of Deacons and former
Vice Moderator of the Board of Directors. He currently ministers in music as a singer and
pianist, teaches membership classes, and coordinates a weekly meditative, Taizé-style
worship services. He has been involved in men's programming at the local, District, and
Fellowship level, including serving as an instructor in the Sexuality Studies department
of the former Samaritan Institute for Religious Studies.
Nathan is an engaging preacher having spoken at MCC's in Southern California and Australia
and he had the privilege of preaching at the 1993 UFMCC General Conference. He has done
course work in the Master of Divinity program in the School of Theology at Claremont,
California.
Additional
Easter Music Resources:
Editor's Note: Again, our thanks to Randall Busby for compiling the
music resources below. Randall is Minister Of Music at MCC-Silver Spring/Takoma Park in
suburban Washington, DC, and serves on the District Education Team for the Mid-Atlantic
District. Comments and suggestions for future music resources -- along with notes of
appreciation -- may be sent to Randall's attention at RFBusby@worldnet.att.net
Introductory Notes:
In preparing this resource, we have attempted to reflect the diverse musical
traditions found within the UFMCC. Using the General Lectionary (Cycle 'A') as a basis, we
have suggested musical selections from three distinct musical traditions:
Liturgical/Traditional, Gospel/Evangelical and Praise/Worship.
The lists below were formulated using eight denominational or general-use hymnals, along
with other musical resources. You will find listed the Hymn names (the Title or opening
line), along with the Hymn-Tune name. Some lyrics will need to be inclusified.
In this issue of the Music Resource Kit, we have also included the actual Hymn Number from
each of the source hymnals. When available, we've provided sources to help you find less
well-known music for inclusion in the musical worship of your church.
For additional musical possibilities, we would encourage you to actively evaluate those
selections not specifically from your musical tradition. Remember, even in music,
'different' is good!"
Hymn Sources
B=Baptist Hymnal (Southern Baptist)-Convention Press, 1991
E=The Hymnal 1982 (Episcopal, USA)-The Church Hymnal Corp.,1985
G=Praise Hymns & Choruses "The Green Book" (Non-Denom)-Maranatha, 1997
H=Hymns For The Family Of God (Non-Denom)-Paragon Associates, 1976
M=United Methodist Hymnal-The UM Publishing House, 1989
N=New Century Hymnal (U.C.C.)-Pilgrim Press, 1995
P=Presbyterian Hymnal-Westminster/John Knox Press, 1990
W=Worship (Roman Catholic)-GIA Publications, 1986 (Future Use)
Z=Songs Of Zion (Methodist/Afro-Centric)-Abingdon, 1981
Congregational
Hymn/Tune: Cristo Vive / CENTRAL
Translation: "Christ Is Risen"
Info: Text: Nicolas Martinez, 1960; Pablo Sosa, 1960 (Cantico Nuevo-UMC)
B 167 E 000 G 000 H 000 M 313 N 235 P 109 W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today / EASTER HYMN
Alt/Tune: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today / LLANFAIR
Info: Text: Charles Wesley
B 159 E 000 G 017 H 289 M 302 N 233/240(alt.) P 113(alt.) W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: Come, You (Ye) Faithful, Raise The Strain / ST. KEVIN
Alt/Tune:
Info: Text: St. John Of Damascus; c. 8th Century
Tune: Sir Arthur S. Sullivan (yes, as in Gilbert &) c. 1872
B 000 E 199 G 000 H 000 M 315 N 230 P 115 W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: Peter, Go Ring Them Bells / Traditional
Alt/Tune:
Info:
B 000 E 000 G 000 H 000 M 000 N 000 P 000 W 000 Z 097
Hymn/Tune: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah / CWM RHONDDA
Alt/Tune: Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer / CWM RHONDDA
Info: Text: Wm. Williams, 1745; John Hughes, 1907
B 056 E 690 G 000 H 608 M 127 N 018(alt.) P 281 W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today / EASTER HYMN
Alt/Tune: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today / LLANFAIR
Info: Text: 14th century Latin; Robert Williams, 1817
B 000 E 207 G 000 H 297(alt.) M 000 N 240(alt.) P 123 W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: The Head That Once Was Crowned With Thorns / ST. MAGNUS
Alt/Tune:
Info: Text: Thomas Kelly, 1820;
Tune: Jeremiah Clark (famous for his 'Trumpet Tune') c. 1707
B 000 E 483 G 000 H 000 M 326 N 000 P 149 W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: Camina, Pueblo De Dios / NUEVA CREACION
Translation: "Walk On, O People Of God"
Info: Text: Nicolas Martinez, 1960; Pablo Sosa, 1960 (Cantico Nuevo-UMC)
B 000 E 000 G 000 H 000 M 305 N 614 P 296 W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: All Heaven Declares / ALL HEAVEN DECLARES
Alt/Tune:
Info: Noel & Tricia Richards (Integrity Music, 1997) CCLI #120556
B 000 E 000 G 003 H 000 M 000 N 000 P 000 W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: Glory To The Lamb / GLORY TO THE LAMB
Alt/Tune:
Info: Bill Batstone ( Maranatha Music, 1993) CCLI #1187268
B 000 E 000 G 28 H 000 M 000 N 000 P 000 W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: Crown Christ (Him) With Many Crowns / DIADEMATA
Alt/Tune:
Info: Text: Matthew Bridges, 1851; Tune: George Elvey, 1868
B 161 E 494 G 021 H 345 M 327 N 301 P 151 W 000 Z 000
Hymn/Tune: Easter People Raise Your Voices / REGENT SQUARE
Alt/Tune:
Info: Text: William James, 1979; Music: Henry T. Smart, 1867
B 360 E 000 G 000 H 000 M 304 N 000 P 000 W 000 Z 006
Vocal
Selection: Alleluia! For Christ Is Risen Today (John 20: 1-18)
Info: J.S. Bach (Concordia) SATB Medium-Easy
Selection: Broken And Spilled Out
Info: Text: Gloria Gaither; Music: Bill George, 1980
As sung by Steve Green (Gaither/YellowHouse Music, 1984)
Found in the collection: 'Steve Green-People Need The Lord'
Sparrow Music #70083
Selection: Mary Magdalene (Matt. 28: 1-10)
Info: Johannes Brahms (H.W. Gray/CPP-Belwin) SATB Easy
Selection: As The Deer
Info: Martin Mystrom (Maranatha, 1984) Meditative/Placid
Also available in Praise Hymns & Choruses "The Green Book" #89
(Maranatha Music, 1984 and 1997) CCLI #1431
Instrumental
Selection: All Creatures Of Our God And Sovereign (King)
Info: Piano/Organ Duet, Moderately Easy
'Best Loved Hymns-Duets For Piano & Organ
Robert Graham (Beam Me Up Music/CPP-Belwin) #F16910DX
Selection: Christ Doth End In Triumph
Info: Organ/Trumpets, Advanced/Difficult Organ Part
'Sound The Trumpet, Volume II, Music For Organ & Multiple Trumpets'
From Bach's 'Christmas Oratorio' (Joyous triumph of the Resurrection)
Dale Tucker, ed. (HW Gray/CPP-Belwin) #GB00674
Selection: Now The Green Blade Rises
Info: Organ/Trumpet Duet, Medium
'Sacred Solos For Trumpet And Organ'
Lanni Smith (Lorenze Publishing) #PP316-C2
Ideas For Worship:
In many churches, Easter Sunday is the best attended service of the year. It is THE
service for folks who may attend only once a year, or those looking for a church home.
Spend time sitting where the people attending the service will sit. If possible, undertake
this project at the same time of your Easter service will take place. Make sure all the
lights are on.
From their vantage point, look at your choir/music area. Try to see it as a first-time
visitor to your church will see it. Are there books, bulletins, etc. scattered around?
What about chairs, musical instruments and audio equipment? Make a special point to look
at the sides of musical instruments (especially grand pianos), are there fingerprints and
smears visible to the congregation?
In almost every language or culture, one can find a variation of this wise advice:
"First impressions count." (END)
For Additional
Information:
The Rev. Justin Tanis, Director of Clergy
Development
James N. Birkitt, Jr. UFMCC Director of Communications
8704 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd Floor West Hollywood, CA 90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640 Fax: (310) 360-8680 E-mail: UFMCCHQ@aol.com
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