Easter spells hope.
Clarity creates certainty.
No one knows for sure what gathering restrictions will be like at Easter. AHS Step 3 may go into effect on March 22nd. What that means for gathering restrictions is unknown.
Planning for an onsite AND an online service this Easter weekend creates certainty for your team and congregation and hope for seekers in your community.
Online Keys
Put to good use all you have learned over the last ten months about video production. Rather than live streaming your onsite service, produce your online Easter service for an online audience. Your online content could include some content planned for onsite but the majority should be designed for online. Make your content engaging, emotive, excellent, and inspiring by using songs, stories, scriptures and a biblical message of hope.
Keep the length to 25-35 minutes. When crafting your online outline, think Talk Show, not Billy Graham Crusade.
Record at least 10-14 days ahead of Easter weekend to allow for production time. Post your production on Easter Sunday on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram at 9am. Yes, even if you are having an onsite service, posting online before the service will not diminish onsite attendance. People will come onsite because they feel safe gathering together. They want connection. The same people who view your online content at 9am will come to your 10am or 11am onsite gathering.
Enlist volunteers to be online hosts on each platform and engage with people in real time for prayer, decisions or follow-up.
An Online Service Outline (30 minutes)
Intro video – 2-3 minutes – make use of professionally produced Easter-themed video.
Welcome – 30 second – welcome, explain how to comment and summarize what will happen in the service
Reading – 30 seconds – part one of the Easter story
Song – high quality – 3 minutes – record your team or use one of the songs below
Story – 2 minutes – a story of how your church supported community – record someone from your community who was help die Food Bank, school, seniors.
Reading – 30 seconds – part two of the Easter story
Song – 3 minutes – same as above
Message – Part 1 – 5 minutes – based on the verses that were previously read
Song – 3 minutes – as above
(Story – 2 min) – second testimony of how Jesus forgave, healed, restored, delivered
Message – Part 2 - 5 minutes – close with invitation to believe on Jesus; how to connect
Song – 3 minutes
Close – 45 seconds – thank people for viewing, participants, and share how viewers can connect with a next step or next event.
5 Post-Service Steps
Follow-up online and onsite guests immediately. On Sunday send out texts or emails or Facebook messages to every guest, thanking them for attending.
21 Days of Hope – promote your post-Easter message series. Five days after Easter text/email people who attended Easter to inform and invite them hear to the 1st message.
Offer a Newcomers Class online and onsite within 8 days after Easter.
Offer an Alpha group online starting two weeks after Easter.
Plan for a community event by the end of April. At the event invite participants to a next event.
Songs For Good Friday and Easter
Pastor Heather Thirsk and Westside King’s Church, Calgary has generously shared resources for your online Easter service.
https://youtu.be/ET-o97vzXsQ. His Glory Appears - Good Friday
https://youtu.be/xMoCqmv2F4o. Take Heart - Resurrection Sunday
https://youtu.be/F-oFnoqQDYA How Great Thou Art - Good Friday
https://youtu.be/j9DOFNjPyxI Almighty God - Good Friday /even for Communion Moment
https://youtu.be/EXsBHzs8uao Clean - Good Friday
https://youtu.be/HarwRo5inQc When the fight calls / Good Friday or Easter
https://youtu.be/og_n-ucIJxo Jesus We Love You / Easter/ Good Friday
https://youtu.be/iOGQLtekxnk Doxology
https://youtu.be/lTFiR835lQo God You’re So Good - Easter or Good Friday
https://youtu.be/eYr5VMbRyUI Run To The Father - Easter or Good Friday
https://youtu.be/oH6ZoxBcsNk Child of God - Good Friday / Easter
https://youtu.be/YGf5zwhZnUA Whole Heart - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/LzINkPAxvi0 Highlands - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/-4QquPh6P6Y Once And For All - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/dc3LIUxnikA Reckless Love - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/mFBh0NRcX9E Good Grace - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/VkcUJt6nmzc Sacred Invitation
https://youtu.be/7uZkgUtnb9A. Say the Word - Easter
https://youtu.be/WhO58ZIuuBc New Wine - communion moment
https://youtu.be/DX86cipX3d4 Jesus I need You - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/McOd43tDwyU My Hallelujah - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/RA1oO0_U-WU Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/6QXfhBX50HQ Wonder - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/X2cechm5IkI Stand In Your Love - Easter Sunday
https://youtu.be/W5BFboVmIZs. Prince of peace - Good Friday
https://youtu.be/pnii-gwgu1A. O praise the Name - Good Friday
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.