This sermon engages the difficulties surrounding The Binding of Isaac (or Akedah) story. It is meant to be an Easter Vigil sermon but could be adapted for a bible study or other context. The likely age group would be for young adults or precocious high school students. I have also included an exegetical rationale so that leaders can follow my steps (this is more for the leaders than for the participants). Following the sermon are discussion questions for small groups. These are suggestions and are by no means the only ways that you can engage this story.

Presider: Dear friends in Christ, we have begun our solemn vigil. Let us now listen attentively to the Word of God, recalling how our God saved Israel throughout history and, in the fullness of time, sent the only Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer. Through this Easter celebration, may God bring to completion the saving work already begun in us by the divine mercy. Let us attend to the Word of God.

What was done: The first year this was done, members of Emmanuel, High Point and the associate pastor planned and led the Easter Vigil for Holy Saturday evening concluding with Holy Communion at the Easter Sunrise service. The second year, pastors and congregations from the High Point area were invited to join together and planned an ecumenical Vigil worship. Traditions represented were: Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Reformed and Baptist; lay and ordained people were worship leaders, including youth and adults.

This is a familiar tune with new lyrics. "God bless you merry sinner!" Tune: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

We in southern Brazil use the same symbols as used in northern hemisphere, i.e., Easter bunny, eggs, sun, light, since it is not a matter of nature timing anymore, like Spring or Falls, but a matter of gift of God. We teach to children (as well for adults) that at the beginning, Easter was a farmers feast, at the beginning of a new harvest.

A Poem by Pastor Carmen Peterson

Use plastic Easter eggs with numbers written on the ends that refer to bible verses.

This colorful card is laminated so "sticky" jelly bean fingers won't bother it!

Bake cookies and gear the cooking experience with bible verses to prepare for Easter Sunday.

Here is a cross craft idea and learning tool for everyone of the Church.