The Easter season is a time of new beginnings when people who aren’t part of the Church are more willing to give things a try.
Passion Week (from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday) describes the events of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life before culminating in His death and resurrection. This is a week of reflection as believers prepare for the most important day on the Christian calendar.
And it is the perfect opportunity to do what Jesus did best during His ministry: connect with those in need and introduce outsiders to the love of God.
Church outreach during the Easter season is often limited to egg hunts and a few special services. However, there are numerous ways you can serve those in need and plant life-changing seeds that lead to faith in Jesus as Savior, especially during Passion Week.
Palm Sunday: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem
Palm Sunday is a day of celebration. The people in Jerusalem celebrated Jesus as king and praised Him as the rightful ruler of Israel.
In anticipation of the week to come and to echo the celebratory nature of Palm Sunday, host a celebratory picnic and egg hunt after your Sunday services.
Passion Week begins and ends with a celebration, so start this week off by honoring Jesus as King and preparing your hearts for the week ahead.
Plan the picnic in a location that encourages your community to participate and select a time that won’t conflict with others’ schedules.
Use Resurrection Eggs or another storytelling device to share the events of the upcoming week and the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
There will likely be people at your picnic and egg hunt who aren’t familiar with the events of Passion Week. So take the time to invite them into fellowship with your congregation and introduce them to the ultimate love story of a Savior willing to die to rescue His people.
Holy Monday: Jesus cleanses the temple
On the first day of Passion Week, Jesus cleansed the temple of those who would defile the sacred space. The people of Jesus’ day had taken something beautiful and made it into a place of ugliness.
While Jesus was focused on removing corruption and restoring the temple as a house of worship, you can use this day to bring beauty back to parts of your community.
Partner with other ministries or organizations to hold a community cleanup day. Many people will likely have to work or attend school during the day, so plan your activities in the late afternoon or evening when most people can participate.
You can pick up trash in local parks, plant flowers in community areas, or help clean up other spots around town that will bring the spaces back to life.
Holy Tuesday: Jesus teaches on the Mount of Olives
Jesus was the ultimate teacher. He took time to answer questions and help people understand the complexities and mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Use this day to connect with and support the teachers in your community who work hard to build up the next generation.
Prepare a special breakfast, assemble goodie bags, or create thank-you cards as a way to acknowledge their commitment to educating others.
Invite members of your congregation to deliver the items and to chat with the teachers about why you’ve chosen this day to celebrate them. And having information ready about your ministry and upcoming services, so teachers can participate in more Passion Week activities if they want to learn more about the Savior of the world.
Spy Wednesday: Judas agrees to betray Jesus
While we don’t know what Jesus was doing on this day, we do know that it was on this day that one of His closest friends and followers decided to betray Him.
Each of the events of Passion Week plays a crucial role in the overall rescue story that God began telling in Genesis.
Use your Wednesday service or Bible study time to invite people to come and ask questions about the events of Passion Week and the story of Jesus. Host an open forum event, either at your church or in a community location, where people can learn more without fear of judgment.
Many will hesitate to ask questions out of fear of looking silly or being mocked for not knowing. So, use this opportunity to answer their questions without feeling intimidated. Have an anonymous question box or designate members of your congregation to ask the more common questions so people can get the answers they need about God without fear.
Maundy Thursday: Jesus and His disciples share the last supper & Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane
On His last day as a free man, Jesus spent the day with His disciples, sharing a final meal before retreating to pray.
Partner with your local food bank or soup kitchen to provide a special meal for those in need. Break bread with the people in your community who need to see a friendly face and be reminded that Jesus came to die for them, too.
Ask your members to help prepare the meal, contribute financially to the effort, or come and connect with those seeking a warm meal.
Good Friday: Jesus is crucified and is buried in Joseph of Arimethea’s tomb
While the first Good Friday was a day of death and mourning for Jesus and His followers, it is a day of hopeful anticipation for us.
Host a Good Friday service in a local park or other community gathering place where passersby can hear the hope of the Easter story without the intimidation or anxiety associated with attending a regular service.
Offer activities and refreshments to draw people in, and then use the time to share the story of Easter with those seeking the hope offered by the Gospel.
Holy Saturday: Jesus’ body lies in the tomb
Little happened the day after Jesus died, besides a lot of wondering and waiting, even though Jesus had told His followers exactly what would happen.
Use this day to present a Passion Play that tells the story of salvation from start to finish. Ask your congregation to participate in the production, and invite your whole community to the event. If possible, make tickets free to remove any barriers to attending.
Depending on your resources, you can present a semi-professional production, put together a children’s production of the Easter story, or develop something in between. The only requirement is that you use the opportunity to share the truth of the Gospel with those who attend.
Resurrection Sunday: Jesus is raised from the dead
Resurrection Sunday (or Easter Sunday) is the most important day for followers of Christ. While other days like Christmas are significant in their own ways, without the culmination of God’s rescue story in the resurrection, the rest of the days don’t matter.
Throughout all the other outreach activities you conduct during Passion Week, you should invite people to your services on Resurrection Sunday.
Many people who don’t normally attend church are willing to try it out during the Easter season. Ensure your community is aware of your upcoming services, and do everything possible to present your best self.
Ensure you have plenty of volunteers lined up for children and youth, recruit your most outgoing and engaging greeters, and make your Easter services the best they possibly can be.
While you don’t want to put all your effort into the services for Resurrection Sunday and ignore the rest of the year, it is essential to make a good impression on those seeking hope during this time.
The Easter season is one of the few times of the year when those who aren’t connected with the Body of Christ are actively seeking ways to connect. Use that curiosity during Passion Week to engage with your community and make special efforts to reach out to those in need.
ACS Technologies
ACS Technologies sets a new standard in church technology, offering a holistic suite of solutions that streamline administrative tasks and empower your staff to excel in their roles and your church to excel in your community.
In the ever-evolving landscape of church engagement and management, ACS Technologies rises above the rest. Our comprehensive church solutions, bespoke digital offerings, streamlined communication tools, comprehensive ministry consulting, and training make us the trusted choice for over fifty thousand churches. Experience the ACS Technologies advantage and elevate your church’s online presence, connectivity, and generosity today. Join us in redefining church technology for the digital age, where your ministry’s success becomes our shared mission.
