Easter: Sunday morning

The story of the resurrection

by Gordon and Ronni Lamont

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To tell the story of the first Easter Sunday morning.

Preparation and materials

• The assembly takes the form of the story of the first Easter Sunday with join-in actions. They might not all be appropriate for all age groups, so be prepared to adapt. One approach is to get a group of 'actors' to come to the front to 'ham it up'; or the whole assembly could join in from where they sit. However you organize it, it's a good idea to have another teacher leading the actions while you tell the story. Treat it as a fun event, going back over particularly enjoyable parts.

Assembly

1. Explain that you are going to tell the story of a special Sunday morning a long time ago, and that everyone will need to join in to make the telling complete.
   
   
2. It's very early in the morning - dawn. You're up and about, but it's so early ...
   
   Everyone yawns.
   
   You're going to visit a garden and a tomb in the garden. It's cold and a bit spooky in the early morning light.
   
   Everyone shivers.
   
   Suddenly there's a huge earthquake.
   
   Everyone jumps and shakes.
   
   And a flash of bright light.
   
   Everyone shields their eyes.
   
   Before you know it, there's an angel standing right in front of you - an angel. There are guards at the tomb and they begin to tremble.
   
   Everyone trembles.
   
   Then the guards fall down in a faint, as if they're dead.
   
   Everyone makes feeble fainting noise.
   
   The angel rolls away a huge stone from the entrance to the tomb - just rolls it away like it's a football.
   
   The angel speaks to you and tells you not to be afraid. 'The person you're looking for isn't here any more - he has been raised from the dead.'
   
   Then he's standing right in front of you - your friend, who was dead, is alive again. You're amazed, can't believe it, astounded.
   
   Everyone acts astounded - open-mouthed amazement.
   
   Your friend says, 'Peace be with you' and 'Don't be afraid'. Your friend was dead.
   
   Everyone drops their head.
   
   And now he's alive again.
   
   Everyone looks up.
   
   Give him a clap, such a clever chap.
   
   Everyone claps.
   
   Shhh, don't wake up the guards!

Time for reflection

Dear God,
Thank you for that first Easter day.
Thank you that the stone was rolled away.
Thank you that our friend came back to stay.
Starting on that first Easter day.
Amen.

Song/music

'From the darkness came light' (Come and Praise, 29)