Online Hope for Easter Weekend 2021

February 19, 2021 Bob Jones

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