Worship Resources
for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Easter +1, Holy Humor Sunday
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 118:14-29
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31
Churches in 15th century Bavaria used to celebrate the Sunday after Easter as Risus Paschalis (‘God’s Joke,’ or ‘the Easter laugh’). Priests would deliberately include amusing stories and jokes in their sermons in an attempt to make the faithful laugh. After the service, people would gather together to play practical jokes on one another and tell funny stories. It was their way of celebrating the resurrection of Christ – the supreme joke God played on Satan by raising Jesus from the dead.
Below there are some materials first seen in “The Joyful Noiseletter” which began as a print and on-line resource in 1985. It continues as a Facebook presence, and subscriptions to the whole newsletter are still available.
Consider using several Christmas tunes with Easter words and sharing some jokes connected to the scriptures (see below).
“Easter carols,” composed by JN consulting editor Paul Lintern, a Lutheran pastor, based on the music of Christmas carols. ©2004 by Paul Lintern. Reprinted with permission. They may be sung in your church.
Hark The Herald Angel Said
(Tune: Hark the Herald Angels Sing)
Hark, the Herald Angel said,
Why seek Jesus with the dead?
He’s not here, as you can see,
Grave clothes lie where he would be.
On your way now, tell the others,
Jesus will be with his brothers.
Sisters, too, he wants to see
on the hills of Galilee.
Hark, the Herald Angel said,
He is risen from the dead.
Joy to the World
Joy to the World, the Lord’s alive,
Awake, rejoice and sing!
It’s just as He had said,
He’s risen from the dead.
Salvation now He brings,
Salvation now He brings,
Salvation, salvation now He brings.
Joy to the World, the empty tomb,
Proclaims a victory.
Of light compelling,
A great dispelling
Of darkness in the world,
Of darkness in the world,
Of darkness, of darkness in the world.
Joy to the World,
Our Savior reigns,
Let Heaven and earth proclaim
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
Go Tell it on the Mountain
Chorus:
Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus is alive.
While soldiers watched the gravesite
That quiet Sunday dawn
There came a big commotion
and then the storm was gone.
The women found no body their spices to anoint,
Instead they found an angel, God’s message to appoint.
Go from where He isn’t to where He said He’d be.
An Eastertime reunion, the hills of Galilee.
Call to Worship (inspired by John 20)
Friends, today is Holy Humor Sunday!
God played the BEST joke, which we celebrated last Sunday:
grabbing Jesus right out of the tomb and breathing new life into him!
So today we’re remembering how Thomas, (who managed to be away on pressing business) reacted when he heard Jesus had shown up to the other disciples.
Remember?
He told the others “I will not believe” without seeing for himself that Jesus was alive.
Then Jesus showed up, even tho’ the door was shut.
What a joy! Can you imagine the laughter and delight?
That’s the same Spirit we seek here, today.
Let’s be full of joy as we worship God, giving thanks for the resurrected Jesus!
A pastor was speaking to a group of second-graders
about the resurrection of Jesus when one student asked,
“What did Jesus say right after He came out of the grave?”
The pastor explained the Gospels do not tell us what He said.
The hand of one little girl shot up. “I know what He said:
He said, ‘Tah-dah!'” — via Andy Fisher
Denville, NJ
Opening Prayer
Holy God, we celebrate the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection, “Tah,dah!” Help us rejoice in the presence of your Spirit in our midst on this Holy Humor Sunday.
Open our hearts and minds so we can breathe in the joy you desire for us and for all who seek to follow Jesus. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
Scripture reminds us to be stewards, caring for all God has entrusted to us.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards
of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10
A young child recognized we’re not often able to live up to what God does.
He told his Sunday school teacher: “When you die, God takes care of you like your parents did when you were alive — only God doesn’t yell at you all the time.” — via Rev. Dennis R. Fakes Lodi, CA
Tithe if you love Jesus. Anyone can honk!
And remember, our church is open to all denominations – but it prefers 20s and 50s.
The Lord loves a cheerful giver…..but God also accepts from the grouch.
How is your giving a faithful response to the abundance God has provided?
God doesn’t yell…but cares for each of God’s beloved ones.
Let’s let our gifts be full-hearted!
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Thank you, Holy Creator, for caring for each of us, and for all of your creatures. Help us use these gifts to mold our corner of the world to be more and more like the heavenly realm, “on earth as it is in heaven”. AMEN
Invitation to Communion
This table is a festive table, which we recognize today as a rehearsal banquet for the time to come when the resurrected Christ will welcome all to feast together. For those who want communion elements we usually have,
they will be ________________________ (served? On a particular table?)
For those who want to celebrate communion as a birthday, remembering Jesus was born into new life on Easter, cut up birthday cake is our bread,
and grapes are that from which our juice comes. With joy, let’s share this festival meal.
(consider putting birthday balloons around the table)
Benediction
We go out from this place shining with the good news that Christ is risen.
As disciples of Christ, we are new people
who love our neighbors,
share God’s abundance,
and care for God’s creation.
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!