Liturgical Calendar The Resurrection of the Lord / Easter Easter Sunday Celebration is March 27, 2005: Sunrise Service at Lacy Park - 7:00am Traditional Services - 9:15am and 11:00am

Easter is the Christian festival having the oldest roots. From earliest times, each Sunday has been a celebration of Christ's resurrection, with clear references, dating from early in the third century, to an annual celebration of the resurrection--the Sunday of all Sundays. This festival is the center of the liturgical year, for it celebrates the event that is at the very core of our faith.

Just as ancient Israel was delivered from slavery through the sea, so in the death-resurrection of Christ, we pass from bondage to freedom, from death to life. "Christ our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival" (I Cor. 5:7-8).

In early Christian centuries, the death-resurrection of Jesus was celebrated in a vigil held throughout the night. This PASCHAL VIGIL was the crowning festival of the Christian year. Motifs of light and darkness, water and fire were intertwined with readings from Scripture that recalled the events of salvation history, climaxing in the death-resurrection of Christ. It was the time for the baptism of those prepared during Lent, and for all to celebrate the Eucharist with the newly baptized as they came to the the table for the first time. This ancient service is being recovered today. The ancient song from the Vigil should pervade all our Easter celebrations:

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ our King is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Easter is not a day but a season which is appropriately called The Great Fifty Days. It is a time of great joy and excitement as the meaning of the resurrection is unfolded and we anticipate the significance of the giving of the Holy Spirit.

The traditional color for Easter Day is WHITE or GOLD, with white remaining until the Day of Pentecost. The use of fine and elegant fabrics expresses joy.

ASCENSION DAY, forty days after the celebration of the resurrection begins (Acts 1:3), marks the assumption of glory and power by the crucified and risen Lord. This is what we affirm when say in the Apostles' Creed that we believe in Jesus Christ who rose on the third day, "ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father." Ascension Day embodies the meaning of the Easter season -- resurrection, ascension and the giving of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is Lord! He is Lord not just of the church, but is Lord over all creation. At his name "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil. 2:9-10).